Spokane Municipal Code

Title 01 General Provisions

Chapter 01.04A Code of Ethics

Section 01.04A.090 Duties and Powers

1. The Ethics Commission shall, with the assistance of the Staff Director, create a manual of its operating policies, procedures, forms, and rules consistent with this chapter and subject to the approval of the city council. The Ethics Commission shall review its manual at least annually for possible modifications. The manual shall be posted and maintained as part of the City’s website. (See 1.04.090 D)

2. The Ethics Commission may, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of a person under oath, and in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the Commission;

   1. In case of refusal to obey a subpoena issued to a person, the Ethics Commission shall petition the superior court of a county within the jurisdiction of which the investigation, proceeding or hearing under this chapter is carried on or within the jurisdiction of which the person refusing to obey is found or resides or transacts business for an order requiring the person to appear before the Ethics Commission or its member to produce evidence if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question. Failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt.

3. All hearings of the Ethics Commission shall be conducted as contested hearings under applicable provisions of the Spokane Municipal Code and the rules and regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission. All hearings shall be open to the public. The record of the hearings, as well as all documents submitted in regards to the complaint and the Ethics Commission’s investigation, shall be subject to public disclosure laws, chapter 42.56 RCW - Public Records Act.

4. A Commission member who has a conflict regarding a specific complaint before the Ethics Commission shall recuse himself or herself from hearing that complaint, but shall remain a member of the Commission for future complaints.

5. The Ethics Commission may, when circumstances make it necessary to do so, retain outside legal counsel and other experts, as needed, after solicitation of recommendations from the City Attorney (unless the need to retain outside counsel is caused by a conflict involving the City Attorney’s Office).

6. The Ethics Commission may make recommendations to the City Council for amendments to this chapter and for such other legislation affecting the subject matter of this chapter as the Ethics Commission may deem necessary or desirable.

7. The Ethics Commission shall develop educational programs which inform agencies, public officials and city officers and employees about City, state and federal ethics laws, and the importance of ethics to the public's confidence in municipal government.

Date Passed: Monday, January 12, 2015

Effective Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015

ORD C35148 Section 1