The Examiner shall not conduct or participate in any hearing or decision in which the Examiner or any of the following persons has a direct or substantial financial interest: the Examiner’s spouse, sibling, child, parent, in-laws, partner; any business in which the Examiner is then serving or has served within the previous two years; or any business with which such Examiner is negotiating for, or has had arrangement or understanding concerning, possible partnership or employment. Any actual or potential interest shall be disclosed prior to such hearing.

Participants in the hearing process have the right, insofar as possible, to have the Examiner and the City Councilmembers free from personal interest or prehearing contacts on matters considered by them. It is recognized that there is a countervailing public right to free access to public officials on any matter. Therefore, the Examiner and City Councilmembers shall reveal any substantial interest or prehearing contact made with them concerning the proceeding, at the commencement of such proceeding. If such interest or contact impairs the Examiner’s or Councilmembers’ ability to act on the matter, such person shall so state and shall abstain therefrom to the end that the proceeding is fair and has the appearance of fairness.

Individual Councilmembers, City officials or any other persons shall not interfere or attempt to interfere with the performance of the Examiner’s designated duties. [Ord. 13 § 7, 1995.]