1.1 1.1
LOCAL,LAWS&ORDIN_ANCES\EN_-�CTNIENl\Chapter 14 Ethics Code—Repeal Disclosure hiterest Form Requirement—12-7-15
RESOLUTION ADOPTING LOCAL LAW NO. OF 2015
AMENDING QUEENSBURY TOWN CODE §14-5
TO ELIMINATE REQUIREMENT FOR TOWN OFFICER TO SUBMIT
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT UPON APPOINTMENT
RESOLUTION NO. ,2015
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, New York State General Municipal Law §806 requires the governing body
of each Town to adopt a code of ethics that sets forth for the guidance of its officers and
employees standards of conduct reasonably expected of them, and
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law §812 sets forth the requirements by which elected
officials and certain officers and employees of local Municipalities are required to submit financial
disclosure statements, and
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law §812 provides an exception for Towns with a
population less than 50,000 from the requirement to submit disclosure statements, and
WHEREAS, the current disclosure requirements necessitate all Town officers and
employees to file a disclosure statement upon taking office and upon every change in
circumstance, and
WHEREAS, absent a complaint of alleged unethical behavior the requirement to file a
disclosure statement by all Town officers is onerous and unnecessarily invades the privacy of
Town employees, and
WHEREAS, the requirement to file a disclosure statement is not required by law and
constrains Town personnel efficiency by mandating the preparation of superfluous forms, and
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board now wishes to amend the Code of Ethics to
eliminate the unneeded filing of disclosure forms, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly held a Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law on
December 7t', 2015 and heard all interested persons;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby adopts Local Law No. of 2015,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to file the
Local Law with the New York Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal
Home Rule Law and acknowledges that the Local Law will take effect immediately upon filing by the
Secretary of State.
Duly adopted this 7t'day of December 2015, by the following vote:
AYES
NOES
ABSENT:
LOCAL LAWS&ORDINANCES\Chapter 14—Ethics Code—Repeal Dis of Interest Form—December 2015
LOCAL LAW NO.: OF 2015
A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 14 "CODE OF ETHICS" OF
QUEENSBURY TOWN CODE
BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF
QUEENSBURYAS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. PURPOSE. To encourage the Town officers, employees, and
consultants to be independent, impartial, objective, unbiased and responsible to the
people of the Town of Queensbury, the Town has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to
the provisions of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law. The Code serves the
purposes of ensuring a high degree of moral conduct is obtained in order for public
confidence to be maintained without compromising the expeditious operation of the
Town or the private and personal matters of its officer and employees. Therefore, in
furtherance of efficiency and confidentiality, the removal of a Town officer's requirement
to file a disclosure statement is warranted.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 14-5(E) of the Queensbury Town Code
is hereby amended to read as follows:
(1) If any Town officer, employee or consultant has a potential or actual
conflict of interest in any matter which he or she encounters in the
performance of his or her official Town duties, he or she shall make
known to all concerned parties the nature of such conflict and shall refrain
from voting or otherwise acting in the matter so as to avoid an actual
conflict. In all cases of potential or actual conflict, the Town Board shall
Note: Language in bold italics is new language to be added;
Language is old language to be deleted.
1
be made aware of the situation by the person in conflict. This disclosure
shall be made part of the official record and be on a form provided by the
Town Clerk which shall disclose the nature of the conflict. A copy of this
filed form shall be kept in a separate place by the Town Clerk for the
public record.
(2) All Town officers are required, within 30 days of taking office, or
this section. In the event that a change occurs with respect to any
(3.2) Elected Town officials shall disclose campaign contributions of$100
or more from a person or entity who is specifically and significantly
affected, positively or adversely, by an action of the Town Board. Such
disclosure requirement applies to contributions made within the previous
two years prior to the date of the relevant Town Board resolution and shall
be made through inclusion within the relevant Town Board resolution.
3. SEVERABILTY. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph or
provision of this Local Law shall not invalidate any other clause, sentence, paragraph or
part thereof.
Note: Language in bold italics is new language to be added;
Language with line drawn through is old language to be deleted.
2
4. REPEALER. All Local Laws or ordinances or parts of Local Laws or
ordinances in conflict with any part of this Local law are hereby repealed.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Local Law shall take effect upon filing in the
office of the New York State Secretary of State.
Note: Language in bold italics is new language to be added;
Language with line drawn through is old language to be deleted.
3