Use of City Position

1. Is it OK for me to hand out my private business card while I'm on my City job? What about giving my card to citizens who ask for it? When I'm working on the counter, I often see people who could use my services. And when I'm out in the field doing my City job, I am frequently approached by the public asking me if they might hire me to do similar work for them, privately.
   
   ANSWER: No. While in most cases you can have an outside business that uses the same skills that you use in your City job, it is not all right for you to promote that business while on City time, or use your job to develop clientele for your private business. Using your City job or City time to gain customers for your private business would be an improper use of your official position for a private gain.
   
   Not only would there be an actual or apparent misuse of City position, handing out your business cards could imply to citizens that the City is endorsing your private business, which is not a City purpose.
   
   A reminder: You cannot, under any circumstances, put your City identification on your private business card. This includes your City title, phone number, address, fax, e-mail address, etc. You can, however, include your City experience on your business brochure, just like anyone can list their experience on a resume.
   
   If your outside business overlaps or conflicts with your City job, it is best to contact SEEC staff for advice on how to avoid prohibited conduct under the ethics law.
   
   
2. Is it ok if I help my neighbor apply for a City contract or permit?
   
   Answer: The answer to this depends on the nature of your City job and the nature of the contract in question. The Ethics Code prohibits a City employee from assisting any person in a City transaction where the employee’s assistance would appear to be enhanced by the employee’s position. If you work within the division that is awarding the contract, you may not assist anyone with their application, because it would appear that your position in that division gives your neighbor an edge in the competition. You may give your neighbor information that has been made public, and then step out of the process.
   
   This part of the law sometimes creates confusion for City employees whose job responsibilities are to assist citizens or groups in applying for City funds or permits. If your job is to encourage or assist citizens or groups in attaining grants or permits from the City, you may provide your neighbor the same assistance that you normally and regularly provide to any other citizen. You should be neutral and unbiased in the assistance you provide, and you must not participate in awarding the grants or permits.
   
   

For the Ethics Code regarding Use of City Position,
see SMC 4.16.070(2) or contact the SEEC for advice.