§ 2-132. Terms and definitions.

The following terms, when used in this code of ethics and in Section 55 of the Charter of the City of Bristol, shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

Business with which he is associated means any sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, trust or other entity through which business for profit or not for profit is conducted in which the official or member of his immediate family is a director, officer, owner, limited or general partner, beneficiary of a trust or holder of stock constituting five (5) percent or more of the total outstanding stock of any class, provided, the official or member of his immediate family shall not be deemed to be associated with a not for profit entity solely by virtue of the fact that the official or member of his immediate family is an unpaid director or officer of the not for profit entity. "Officer" refers only to the president, executive or senior vice president or treasurer of such business.

Financial interest means any interest that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of the official's duties or employment in the public interest and of the official's responsibilities as prescribed by the laws of this state and city, if the official has reason to believe or expect that the official, the official's spouse or dependent child, or a business with which he is associated, as defined herein, will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss, as the case may be, by reason of the official's official activity. Any such official does not have an interest that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of the official's duties in the public interest and of the official's responsibilities as prescribed by the laws of this state and city, if any benefit or detriment accrues to the official, the official's spouse or dependent child, or a business with which he, his spouse or such dependent child is associated as a member of a profession, occupation or group to no greater extent than to any other member of such profession, occupation or group.

Immediate family means any spouse, children or dependent relatives who reside in the individual's household.

Member of a group means a trustee, officer, director, member of a limited liability company, or partner of any organization or other entity and includes, but is not limited to a trust, corporation, limited liability company, union, association, firm, partnership, committee, club, or other organization.

Personal interest means either an interest in the subject matter or a relationship with the parties before the official or board, body, or commission of which the official is a member, impairing the impartiality expected to characterize said official. A personal interest can take the form of favoritism toward one party or hostility toward the opposing party; it is a personal bias or prejudice which imperils the open-mindedness and sense of fairness which a city official is required to possess.

(Ord. of 10-4-77; Amend. of 9-8-98; Ord. of 6-13-06)