BOARD OF ETHICS

BOARD OF ETHICS MISSION STATEMENT:

The City of Utica established a code of ethics to set forth the standards of ethical conduct reasonably expected of city officers and employees. The code of ethics addresses certain provisions including disclosure of interest in legislation before the governing body, holding of investments in conflict with official duties, private employment in conflict with official duties and future employment.

The Common Council established an Ethics Board responsible for administering a system to maintain the financial disclosure statement filings. The Board of Ethics develops procedures to review and examine the financial disclosure statements filed with the city to promote compliance with the filing requirement, and verify that officials and employees are impartial and free from conflicts of interest in fulfilling their public responsibilities. The Board of Ethics helps ensure that the local government operates in a transparent and ethical manner and local government officers and employees act in the best interests of taxpayers and are not conflicted by personal interests.

Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure 2023

City Code of Ethics:

https://ecode360.com/14002134

UPDATED ETHICS Complaint Form

PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:

January 19, 2023

Present:   Tracey Mills, Ron Gaetano, Mark Curley, Emilee Raymond

Appeared via Webex:  Joseph Langlois and Jeanette Spina

Meeting was called to order at 12:07 p.m. by Chairman of the Board, Tracey Mills.  Tracey welcomed everyone back.

All members verified that they had received and read through the 2022 year end report.  Tracey advised that she had sent same to the Mayor and Common Council.  No comments and/or responses have been received.

NEW BUSINESS

Financial Disclosures. -  The initial (1^st) letter for 2023 will be sent out the beginning of February.  Tracey and Cheryl advised as to the process.  The first notification must be made via U.S. Mail.  The letter and a Financial Disclosure form is mailed to each board member.  Tracey advised that she will send Financial Disclosure forms to all the respective Chairpersons.  

The board discussed the meeting schedule and it was decided that meetings will take place bi-monthly, unless something special comes up.  Tracey will provide notice for the next meeting to be held in March.  

With reference to complaints, Ron inquired as to process going forward.  “Now that a distinction as to the role of this Board has been made, what occurs should a complaint come in?”  Tracey advised that should a complaint come in it would be referred to Corporation Counsel’s office.  Tracey to ask Bill Borrill if he could provide a memo to the Board as to the process of handling  these complaints going forward.

There being no further business, Joe Langlois moved to adjourn the meeting.

Mark Curley seconded the Motion.  

Meeting adjourned.

Board Members: 

Board Members: 

Mark C. Curley

Joseph Langlois                                 

Ronald Gaetano                                 

Jeanette A. Spina       

Emilie Raymond

Tracey A. Mills

Contact: 

c/o City of Utica

Office of the Corporation Counsel

1 Kennedy Plaza, Utica, NY  13502

Phone:315-792-0171

Fax:    315-792-0175