3b - Code of EthicsCouncil Rules of Procedure Ethics Code
Code of Ethics
City Council Meeting
February 4, 2020
Concern Presented
Elected officials are often invited to sit as guests at dinner tables at charitable events. No exception currently listed in the Ethics Code expressly applies to this scenario.
Many councilmembers believe that there is public benefit to having city officials be able to accept these invitations. (Networking, interaction with voters, public support of charitable
causes, etc.)
2.4 Gift
A rendering of money, property, services, discount, loan forgiveness, payment of indebtedness, reimbursements from or payments by persons, other than the City of Federal Way for travel
or lodging or anything else of value in return for which legal consideration of equal or greater value is not given and received, excluding:
(a) Things of minimal value. Minimum value shall be defined as gifts that do not exceed $20 per occasion or $50 from a single source in any given calendar year.
(b) Any contribution under chapter 42.17 RCW (Disclosure – Campaign Finances – Lobbying – Records).
(c) Any informational material transferred for the purpose of informing the recipient about matters pertaining to official City business, and that is not intended to financially benefit
the recipient.
2.4 Gift, cont.
(d) Any symbolic presentation not intended to financially benefit the recipient.
(e) Things of value not used and that, within thirty (30) days after receipt, are returned to the donor or delivered to a charitable organization without being claimed as a charitable
contribution for tax purposes;
(f) Things of value received in the normal course of private business or social interaction or from family that are not related to public policy decisions or City actions.
(g) Payments of enrollment and course fees and reasonable travel expenses attributable to attending seminars and educational programs sponsored by a bona fide nonprofit professional,
educational, or trade association or charitable institution are exempt. As used in this subsection, “reasonable expenses” are limited to travel, lodging, and subsistence expenses incurred
the day before through the day after the event.
2.4 Gift, cont.
(h) The acceptance of a gift on behalf of the City pursuant to City Council rules regarding acceptance of gifts.
State Policy
The law governing state employees presumes the following is not a gift:
“Admission to, and the cost of food and beverages consumed at, events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization.”
RCW 42.52.150(2)(j)
Questions?