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3 <br /> <br />• Prohibit actions being taken at a secret meeting where it is impossible for the interested public to <br />become fully informed about a public board’s decisions or to detect improper influences <br />• Assure the public’s right to be informed and observe public meetings <br />The Minnesota Supreme Court has noted that meetings of less than a quorum of a public body held serially to <br />avoid a public meeting or to fashion agreement on an issue of public business may violate the open meeting <br />law. <br /> <br />Gift/Donations <br />Gifts from Interested Persons: Under MN Statute 471.895, Council Members may not receive gifts from any <br />“interested person” in conjunction with their City Council duties. <br />• A “gift” is defined as money, real or personal property, a service, loan, a forbearance or forgiveness of <br />debt, or a promise of future employment, that is given and received without the giver receiving <br />something of equal or greater value in return <br />• "Interested person" means a person or a representative of a person or association that has a direct <br />financial interest in a decision that a local official is authorized to make <br />o Virtually every resident or person doing business in the City could have a direct financial <br />interest in a decision <br />• See statute for exemptions <br />Gifts to the City: Council Members can recommend acceptance of general gifts through the City’s donation <br />policy. All gifts to the city must be accepted by City Council resolution. <br /> <br />Logo <br />Members shall not use the City’s name or logo for the purpose of endorsing any political candidate or business. <br /> <br />Conflict of Interest <br />Conflict of interest is when any member who has a “financial interest” in, or who may receive a financial <br />benefit as a result of, any action or if there is potential for the appearance of conflict of interest. Questions <br />about a potential conflict of interest shall be discussed with the City Manager. <br /> <br />Contractual Conflict of interest: (MN Statute 471.87, with exceptions in MN Statutes 123B.195 and 471.88) A <br />public officer who is authorized to take part in any manner in making any sale, lease, or contract in official <br />capacity shall not voluntarily have a personal financial interest in that sale, lease, or contract or personally <br />benefit financially therefrom. <br /> <br />Non-contractual Conflict of interest: Non-contractual matters may include such things as Council decisions on <br />zoning, local improvements, and the issuance of licenses. Although not generally prohibited by state law, an <br />interested Council Member most likely should abstain from participating in the council discussion and from <br />voting on these issues. <br /> <br />Members who have a potential conflict of interest shall: <br />• Disclose the conflict of interest to the group, and <br />• Abstain from the Council discussion debate and vote <br /> <br />Roles of Council, Staff and Commissions <br /> <br />We are all part of a team committed to the residents of Edina both today and in the future. To be effective we <br />must come to meetings with an open mind, think strategically about City issues and delegate details of <br />implementations to staff. We will strive to maintain a culture of trust, respect and candor as a Council and <br />when working with staff and Boards/Commissions. <br />52