§ 2-250.54. Complaints.

(a)

Filing. Any person (including a member of the ethics review commission or its staff, acting personally or on behalf of the commission) who believes that there has been a violation of the ethics laws may file a sworn complaint with the city secretary. The complaint shall:

(1)

Identify the person or persons who allegedly committed the violation;

(2)

Provide a statement of the facts on which the complaint is based; and

(3)

To the extent possible, identify the rule or rules allegedly violated.

The complainant may also recommend other sources of evidence that the ethics review commission should consider and may request a hearing.

(b)

Confidentiality. No city official or employee shall reveal information relating to the filing or processing of a complaint except as required for the performance of official duties. Ex parte communications by member of the ethics review commission are prohibited by section 2-250.56(d). All papers relating to a pending complaint are confidential.

(c)

Notification. A copy of a complaint shall be promptly forwarded by the city secretary to the ethics compliance officer and to the person charged in the complaint. The person charged in the complaint shall also be provided with a copy of the ethics rules and shall be informed:

(1)

That, within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the complaint, he or she may file a sworn response with the city secretary;

(2)

That failure to file a response does not preclude the ethics review commission from adjudication of the complaint;

(3)

That a copy of any response filed by the person charged in the complaint will be provided by the city secretary to the complainant, who may within seven (7) days must respond by sworn writing filed with the city secretary, a copy of which shall be provided by the city secretary to the person charged in the complaint;

(4)

That the person charged in the complaint may request a hearing; and

(5)

That city officials and employees have a duty to cooperate with the ethics review commission, pursuant to section 2-250.56(e).

(d)

Assistance. The city secretary shall provide information to persons who inquire about the process for filing a complaint.

(Ord. No. 06-22, § 1(part H, § 4), 9-5-2006)