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PRESENTATION
Conflicts of Interest Board presentation recap and contact information
0:50:11
·
3 min
Alex Kipp briefly recaps the rules regarding potential misuse of position when a commissioner's outside employer interacts with the commission, distinguishing between participation in open meetings versus non-public meetings and between non-profit and for-profit employers.
He strongly encourages commissioners to seek advice from the COIB whenever questions arise, emphasizing that advice is free, confidential, and easily accessible via phone or the COIB website.
- Misuse of position rules aim to prevent using CRC role to benefit an associated private entity.
- Participation rules vary based on employer type (non-profit/for-profit) and meeting type (public/non-public).
- COIB advice is free and confidential.
- Contact COIB via phone (212-442-1400) or website (nyc.gov/ethics) for guidance.
Alex Kipp
0:50:11
Now last thing we need to touch on is the very core notion of the conflict of interest law, which has to do with misuse of position.
0:50:18
I'm not supposed to use my city position in a way that would benefit any private entity, that, that I am associated with.
0:50:26
Right?
0:50:26
My my outside employer, like the fund for the city of New York, etcetera.
0:50:30
Now what does this mean?
0:50:30
What does this mean in terms of your board service?
0:50:33
Well, it is possible that the entities that you work for full time might want to make a statement at an open meeting, in support of something that the Charter Revision Commission is considering.
0:50:46
And so the first question that comes up is when my employer comes to make that statement at the open meeting, what's my duty?
0:50:52
Do I have to walk out of the room?
0:50:53
Do I have to recuse from something?
0:50:55
Can I participate in that?
0:50:56
And the answer is no.
0:50:58
I can participate in that open meeting like anybody else.
0:51:01
The board, the board's guidance on this is you just make it clear.
0:51:06
I am talking right now as a charter revision commission member and not as, representative of my outside employer.
0:51:12
That's it.
0:51:12
That's it.
0:51:13
No recusal needed.
0:51:14
You don't have to worry about it.
0:51:15
Now what if, again, I'll go back to the fund for the city of New York.
0:51:18
Thank you for volunteering.
0:51:21
So, what if the fund for the city of New York would like to have some meetings with the staff before or after the open meeting?
0:51:31
Can I, as a person who works for the funds of the city of New York, can I participate in those meetings where the funds of the city of New York is gonna meet with the staff?
0:51:39
This is not subject to open meetings law.
0:51:40
This is something else that's coming up before or after the open meeting.
0:51:43
And the answer is no.
0:51:45
I if I'm on the Charter Vision Commission, I'm employed by the pump for the city of New York, I do not participate in those meetings that are not subject to the open meetings law.
0:51:54
I, someone else can participate in those, but not me.
0:51:57
And then, the last thing I think we are, now that one last thing to think about is what if my outside employer is a for profit entity and not a not for profit entity?
0:52:12
And there, the advice, the guidance is a little different.
0:52:16
Not only do I not participate in the non open meetings just like we would if I was a not for profit, but even when my let's say my for profit company that I work for, they wanna make a statement at the open meeting, I would have to recuse from that part of the open meeting.
0:52:34
I'm not sure that that's gonna come up at all, but if it did, that's what you would do.
0:52:38
Now last thing on the slideshow.
0:52:40
Okay.
0:52:41
This is just the beginning.
0:52:42
What happens with conflict of interest law is you forget all this stuff we talked about, which is good because you gotta consider much more important things like, how am I gonna continue to live in this city?
0:52:51
Thank you for your work on that.
0:52:53
But, when you get the question, think of us as the place that can answer them all.
0:53:01
So we're very easy to get a hold of.
0:53:04
You call us up at that number 95, Monday through Friday.
0:53:07
You could also write us a letter if you're nostalgic for the postal system.
0:53:11
Right?
0:53:11
But the easiest way is to go online.
0:53:13
We've got a it's kinda blocked there by the captioning.
0:53:15
But, anyway, we've got a website like everybody else on NYC.gov.
0:53:18
And on the homepage, it says get legal advice, type in your question, we'll get back to you that day.
0:53:23
That concludes oh, by the way, I gave you, like, a one page handout there.
0:53:27
It's being folded up, which I think is the right move.
0:53:30
Maybe you could use it as a fan if you want, but there is our telephone number on our website on the back in case you need it.
0:53:36
I don't think I have to say anything else.
0:53:38
Is there anything else you want me to talk about?
0:53:43
No.
0:53:43
Okay.
0:53:43
Good.
0:53:44
Well, thank you, and thank you for your sir.
0:53:46
Yes, ma'am.
0:53:46
I'm sorry.