Laserfiche WebLink
City Council <br />Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 <br />proposed amendments to the Code of Ethics to require registration of lobbyists <br />and requiring lobbyists to provide periodic reports of lobbying activities. <br />Mr. Lollar stated the reasoning for lobbying is to ensure a government is <br />accountable to its citizens and whose actions demonstrate a willingness to <br />govern on behalf of them, not special interest groups or for personal agendas <br />(Open San Marcos). Mr. Lollar mentioned the following cities: Austin, Denton, <br />Kyle, San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Buda all have anti -lobbying ordinances <br />in place. This is to enhance the trust of constituents. The Department of <br />Purchasing and Contracting already has an Anti -Lobbying clause, and the <br />ERC thinks an expanded ordinance should to be in place for all city <br />employees/officials. <br />The Department of Purchasing and Contracting adheres to a set of ethical <br />standards which includes an anti -lobbying clause, outlined below: <br />V. Anti -Lobbying <br />Vendors are prohibited from directly or indirectly communicating with City <br />Council members regarding their qualifications or any other matter related to <br />the eventual award of Contract. Vendors are prohibited from contacting City <br />staff or committee members regarding their qualifications or the award of a <br />contract, unless in response to an inquiry from a staff or committee member. <br />Any violation of this provision will result in immediate disqualification of the <br />Vendor from the selection process. <br />Mr. Lollar noted a few ethics complaints in the recent past including the recent <br />firing and charging of a city employee. <br />Draft Purpose of the Ordinance: <br />Purpose of this ordinance: The lobbying provisions of this ordinance are <br />designed to improve transparency regarding city business and services to the <br />public. To maintain public confidence and public trust in our city officials and <br />employees when public resources are used and municipal decisions are made, <br />this lobbying ordinance requires certain individuals to register and report <br />exchanges with city officials and city employees. <br />Mr. Lollar presented the definition of Lobby or lobbying, which means any oral <br />or written communication (including an electronic communication) to a City <br />official or city employee, made directly or indirectly by any person for <br />compensation or economic benefit in an effort to influence or persuade an <br />official to favor or oppose, recommend or not recommend, vote for or against, <br />City of San Marcos Page 2 <br />