• Why does the City have post-employment restrictions?
• What do the post-employment restrictions prevent?
• Why is it important to regulate the employment of people who are no longer City employees?
• Who is subject to the City's post-employment regulations?
• Can I lobby the City if I am not being paid to do so?
• What does "compensation" include?
• What is the one year "cooling-off" period?
• I was compensated by the City to work on a particular project. How long am I precluded from lobbying the City on that project?
• What is a project?
• What does it mean to "work on a particular project"?
• I am a volunteer board member. Do the revolving door provisions apply to me?
• I know I can't lobby the City directly on a matter, but can I give advice to a lobbyist on that matter?
• I still have questions. How do I get help?

Why does the City have post-employment restrictions?

When employees leave City service, they often take with them insider information and close personal relationships with City decisionmakers that in some circumstances could be detrimental to the City or to other parties seeking to conduct business with the City. For example, a person who worked for the City on a project involving the negotiation of a lease of a City property could leave City service and work for a private business seeking to lease the property. Without post-employment restrictions, that former City employee could provide confidential information to the new employer that would be harmful to the City in contract negotiations.

What do the post-employment restrictions prevent?

The Ethics Ordinance's post-employment provisions prevent former city officials from exercising, or appearing to exercise, improper influence over City decision making. It is important to note that the restrictions are narrowly tailored to prevent improper influence only in those circumstances in which the former official could exert influence through "inside" knowledge of an issue or through access to decision-makers based on relationships developed during his or her City service. These provisions do not restrict the type of employment a city official may secure after leaving City service, nor do they restrict someone from working for a private company after doing business with that company as a City employee.

Why is it important to regulate the employment of people who are no longer City employees?

It is important that people work for the City for the right reasons. The ethics commission believes that employment with the City should not be seen as an opportunity to learn confidential information and build relationships that may later be exploited for private gain.

Who is subject to the City's post-employment regulations?

These regulations apply to former city officials who received compensation from the City, and who are being compensated to lobby, or assist in lobbying, the City on behalf of a private business.

As an ex-City employee, can I lobby the City if I am not being paid to do so?

Yes. You may lobby the City on any matter at any time if you are not being compensated to perform the lobbying activities.

What does "compensation" include?

For the purposes of the post-employment restrictions, compensation includes receiving any monetary or non-monetary payment for the services or time of a person. It includes, but is not limited to, salary, wages, fees, and any discount or economic opportunity not made available in the regular course of business to members of the public.

What is the one-year "cooling off" period?

This is a one-year "cooling off" period that applies to all former city officials who were required to file a statement of economic interests during their City service. It prohibits such persons from being compensated to lobby the City on any matter for one year after they leave City service.

I was compensated by the City to work on a particular project. How long am I precluded from lobbying the City on that project?

You are subject to a one-year ban from receiving compensation from a private business to lobby the City with regard to that project. This prohibition does not apply if you are lobbying on behalf of another public agency.

What is a "project"?

A project means any matter where a private business has made an application to the City for discretionary funding, discretionary entitlements, or where the City exercises discretion to enter into a lease, agreement, or contract with a private business.

What does it mean to "work on a particular project"?

To work on a particular project means to take part personally and substantially in the project by rendering a decision, approval, or disapproval; by making a formal written recommendation; by conducting an investigation; by rendering advice on a significant basis; or by using confidential information.

I am a volunteer board member. Do the revolving door provisions apply to me?

No. The City's revolving door provisions apply only to City Officials who were compensated for their City service.

I know I can't lobby the City directly on a matter, but can I give advice to a lobbyist on that matter?

The answer depends on when you left City service. There is a one-year prohibition on knowingly assisting someone to lobby the City with regard to projects on which you personally and substantially worked.

I still have questions. How do I get help?

The ethics commission has prepared a fact sheet containing additional information regarding these rules. Commission staff is also available to provide telephonic or written advice regarding these matters.