Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Information

Organization: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Mission: To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008. The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office. Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

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Enabling Legislation

Section 13.10, subd. 5(A) states that the Ethical Practices Board has the power to “establish, amend and repeal rules and procedures governing its own internal organization and operations in a manner and form consistent with this chapter.”  The Ethical Practices Board adopts these rules of procedure and operation pursuant to that legislative authority.

Policy and Purpose

It is imperative that all persons acting in the public service not only maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business but that such standards be clearly defined and known to the public as well as to the persons acting in public service.

 The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people. Governmental decisions and policies must be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure. Public office may not be used for personal gain. Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of their government officials.

 Public officials are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and municipality so as to foster respect for all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must be their primary concern.

In recognition of these goals, there is an established Code of Ethics for elected or appointed public officials, citizen volunteers, and candidates for public office. The purpose of the Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons by establishing acts which are incompatible with the City's best interests and requiring disclosure of private or financial interests in matters involving the City. The provisions and purposes of this Code of Ethics are declared to be in the best interests of the City of Rochester.

Ethical Practices Board

To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008.  The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office.  Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Scope of Responsibility

The Code of Ethics pertains to and is applicable to public officials including elected officials and city employees (including department heads and supervisors) who have the authority to approve the expenditure of funds.  Also included, but not limited to, are members of the following boards and commissions:

• Airport Commission
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Committee on Urban Design and Environment
• Downtown Development District Advisory Board
• Energy Commission
• Ethical Practices Board
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Board of Review
• Heritage Preservation Commission
• Housing Board of Appeals
• Library Board
• Mayo Civic Center Commission
• Music Board
• Park Board
• Planning and Zoning Commission
• Police Policy Oversight Commission
• Public Utility Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Related News and Status

Status Reports / News

Related PlanScape Status on: Best Practice, Diversity and Inclusion, Governance/Public Policy

Key reports on: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

November 14, 2024: Restorative Practices Advisory Committee Press Release: Olmsted County residents encouraged to apply for Restorative Practices Advisory Committee (RPAC) This new RPAC will bring together residents, justice system representatives, and community organizations to promote and sustain restorative practices throughout Olmsted County.  Read more ... November 11, 2024: Rochester Public Schools Referendum Nov 2024 RPS Superintendent Video and Presentation Slides Referendum to support: Strong Communities; Strong Schools; Strong Young People PB Reporting on Referendum Efforts and Results Read more ... October 24, 2024: Rochester NAACP And Mayo Clinic AD MERG Love Wins: Community Empowerment Initiative Free Workshop and Community Townhalls Press Release Read more ... October 21, 2024: RPS Family Engagement Reports Oct 2024 Reports Reading Literacy Updates Read more ... October 17, 2024: Olmsted County shares update on opioid settlement fund use Support for: Drug and Alcohol Response Team (DART), CredibleMind, "Be in the Know Olmsted" Campaign   Read more ... October 16, 2024: DMC 2025 Budgets 2025 Budget and Workplan September DMCC Board Meeting City Council Oct 2024 on DMC 2025 Budget   Read more ... October 11, 2024: Juneteenth Activities November 2024 Selma Film and Discussions 2024 Recognition: $1K Scholarship: 2024 Rochester H.S. Graduate: Application and Nomination, Sponsorship and Donation support, Facebook photos of 2024 Mr. and Miss Juneteenth Read more ... October 09, 2024: Rochester Community Initiative (RCI) Students Decoded: The Mental Health Database C2C October 9, 2024 Summit Presentation Slides     Read more ... October 02, 2024: Rochester Vision 2050 Call for inputs: Mayor Norton YouTube Messages Vision 2050 AI-Powered Interactive Survey LINK Mayor Norton Memo to the Public   Read more ... October 02, 2024: OpenBeam to support collective impact Presentation Slides of Education Portal for C2C Oct 9, 2024 Education Summit Results Based Accountability Collective Impact: Spectrum of working together Tech Support Read more ... October 01, 2024: Early Childhood Resource Hub Launch The Early Childhood Resource Hub, a collaboration between C2C and IMAA, aims to connect Olmsted County families with young children to various resources and services.   Read more ... September 30, 2024: Economic Vibrancy & Growth Management City teammates providing an update on this work, specifically regarding legacy public infrastructure projects, Unbound, infrastructure investments and regulatory milestones.   Read more ... September 23, 2024: A Study of Financial Hardship Post Bulletin Reporting United Way 2024 ALICE  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report  Read more ... August 30, 2024: CMRC Legacy and Future CMRC pausing public activities and investment potential white paper availability announcement. Read more ... August 27, 2024: SBDC Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 16th: Workshop: Finding your First Customers and sell without being salesy; Sept 21st: Workshop: Financial Literacy; Sept. 28th: Workshop: How to Start a Business from Scratch (Part 1); Oct. 5th: Workshop: How to Start a Business from Scratch (Part 2); Read more ...

Community Anchor Participation:

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Organization Life Cycle Assessment (Pause, Startup, Steady, Isolated Impact, Collective Impact  Unknown)

Steady