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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12092008 - D.2 (2) HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA TO: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FROM: Joseph Villarreal, Executive Director DATE: December 9, 2008 SUBJECT: Gift Policy SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE the proposed Gift Policy. II. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. III. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, part 85, section 36 prohibits a federal grantee's or subgrantee's officers and employees from soliciting or accepting gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties to subagreements. As a grantee, the Authority is permitted to set minimum rules covering the receipt of gifts where the financial interest is not substantial or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal intrinsic value. Likewise, California Government Code Section 89503 currently prohibits state and local officials and employees who must file a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) under an agency's conflict of interest code from accepting gifts valued at more than $390 from any single source in any calendar year if the official or employee would be required to report the receipt of income or gifts from that source on their Statement of Economic Interests. A recent review of the Authority's personnel policies and procedures revealed that the Authority does not have a Gift Policy. Therefore, the attached proposed policy was developed. The Authority's proposed policy is designed to supplement state and federal law regarding gift regulations. It is intended to protect the integrity of the Housing Authority by providing guidelines to officers and employees of the Authority on the solicitation and receipt of gifts. Per the Board's discussion at the October meeting, a copy of the Authority's Conflict of Interest Code has been attached to this Board Order for review. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE 1 Joseph Villarreal,Executive Director RECOMMENDATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE !, APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON APPRO ED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMM NERS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTE ,�{ JOSEPH VILLARREAL,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEPUTYH:UudyHayes\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\BOARD\BO-Gift Policy.doc IV. CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Should the Board not approve this policy then the Authority's Board, staff and the agents will not have clear parameters outlining when gifts may or may not be accepted. HOUSING AUTHORITY of the Section 04.10 COUNTY of CONTRA COSTA Personnel Policies & Procedures Gift Policy Approved: 00/00/00 Revised: 00/00/00 Reviewed: 00/00/00 I. Purpose: This policy is designed to supplement state and federal law regarding gift regulations. It is intended to protect the integrity of the Housing Authority by providing guidelines to officers and employees of the Authority on the solicitation and receipt of gifts. II. Application: These policies and procedures shall apply to all Housing Authority officers and employees and are in addition to any requirements of state and federal law. III. Policy: No officer or employee of the Housing Authority shall solicit gratuities, loans, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors,potential contractors, parties to sub-agreements, any person on the Authority's Section 8 or public housing programs or any person on a wait list for either of these programs. J The total amount of gifts that each Housing Authority officer, employee, or agent may receive within a calendar year shall not exceed $50. Gifts that are shared with all employees and/or the public will not be subject to the $50 limitation. Employees are expected to exercise good judgment before accepting any gift. In no circumstance shall an officer or employee of the Housing Authority accept gifts of cash or alcohol. Gifts of cash or alcohol of any value that are delivered will be returned. The Executive Director shall be notified in all cases where a gift of cash or alcohol of any value is delivered. All Housing Authority officers and employees are required to sign the acknowledgement below. I have received a copy of the Gift Policy of the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa for my records and I have read and understand the Gift Policy. Name (print): Signed: Date: A copy of this signed policy will be kept by the Administrative Services Officer for all Officers of the Authority and in the Personnel File for each employee of the Authority. Exhibit A Exhibit A(Continued) DESIGNATED POSITION/ CLASSIFICATIONS DISCLOSURE CATEGORY Unit Inspector 1 &2 Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator/Analyst 1 &2 Housing Development Officer 1 &2 Housing Technical Officer I & 2 Resident Services Manager 1 &2 Recreation Director I &2 Housing Rehabilitation Officer I & 2 Resident Manager 1 &2 Personnel Policies&Procedures EMPLOYEE RELATIONS:Page 23 of 25