§ 2-581. Lobbyist registration.

(a)

Definitions. Unless expressly provided herein to the contrary, for purposes of this section, the following definitions will apply:

Lobbying shall mean seeking to influence the decision of any city commissioner, any advisory board member, any employee or any other decision maker with respect to the passage, defeat or modification of any item which may foreseeably be presented for consideration to such entities as applicable.

Lobbyist shall mean any person who is employed and receives payment, or who contracts for economic consideration, for the purpose of lobbying on behalf of a principal. "Lobbyist" shall not include any employee as defined in this article when acting in the course of his or her employment, any elected local official when the official is lobbying on behalf of the governmental agency which the official serves, or any member of the official's staff when such staff member is lobbying on an occasional basis on behalf of the governmental agency by which the staff member is employed.

(b)

Registration required. All lobbyists shall register with city administration before engaging in lobbying. Every lobbyist shall submit a form prepared by city administration and shall state his or her name, address, the name and address of each principal represented, the general and specific areas of legislative interest, and the nature and extent of any direct business association or partnership with any current city commissioner, advisory board member, employee or other decision maker. A lobbyist's registration shall automatically expire on December 31 of the year of registration. If at any time during the year, a lobbyist commences representing a principal for which the lobbyist has not registered pursuant to this article, such lobbyist shall register with respect to that principal prior to lobbying. Lobbying prior to registration is prohibited.

(c)

Registration exceptions. Registration shall not be required for the following:

(1)

City commissioners, advisory board members employees or other decision makers discussing matters relevant to their official duties;

(2)

Persons under contract with the city who communicate with city commissioners, advisory board members or employees regarding issues related only to the performance of their services under their contract;

(3)

Any person who lobbies only in his or her individual capacity for the purpose of self-representation;

(4)

Any person who appears before the city commission or advisory board or other decision maker in a quasi-judicial proceeding.

(d)

Prohibited lobbying. No person, firm or corporation or others representing such person, firm or corporation who or which has submitted a bid or proposal to the city shall contact or lobby the mayor, any city commissioner, city staff, or evaluation committee member regarding such bid or proposal, nor any other person authorized on behalf of the city related to the bid or proposal, from the time the bid or proposal is submitted to the city to the time an award has been made.

(e)

False statements. A lobbyist shall not knowingly make, or cause to be made, a false statement or misrepresentation in maintaining registration or when lobbying city commissioners, advisory board members, employees or other decision makers.

(Ord. No. 4080-07, § 2, 10-9-2007)