Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Information

Organization: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

Organization Mission: To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008. The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office. Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

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Enabling Legislation

Section 13.10, subd. 5(A) states that the Ethical Practices Board has the power to “establish, amend and repeal rules and procedures governing its own internal organization and operations in a manner and form consistent with this chapter.”  The Ethical Practices Board adopts these rules of procedure and operation pursuant to that legislative authority.

Policy and Purpose

It is imperative that all persons acting in the public service not only maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business but that such standards be clearly defined and known to the public as well as to the persons acting in public service.

 The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people. Governmental decisions and policies must be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure. Public office may not be used for personal gain. Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of their government officials.

 Public officials are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and municipality so as to foster respect for all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must be their primary concern.

In recognition of these goals, there is an established Code of Ethics for elected or appointed public officials, citizen volunteers, and candidates for public office. The purpose of the Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons by establishing acts which are incompatible with the City's best interests and requiring disclosure of private or financial interests in matters involving the City. The provisions and purposes of this Code of Ethics are declared to be in the best interests of the City of Rochester.

Ethical Practices Board

To further the goals of the established Code of Ethics, the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board (Board) was formed via city ordinance in December 2008.  The Board is comprised of five citizen members who are appointed by a committee consisting of the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office.  Members serve a three year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Scope of Responsibility

The Code of Ethics pertains to and is applicable to public officials including elected officials and city employees (including department heads and supervisors) who have the authority to approve the expenditure of funds.  Also included, but not limited to, are members of the following boards and commissions:

• Airport Commission
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Committee on Urban Design and Environment
• Downtown Development District Advisory Board
• Energy Commission
• Ethical Practices Board
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Board of Review
• Heritage Preservation Commission
• Housing Board of Appeals
• Library Board
• Mayo Civic Center Commission
• Music Board
• Park Board
• Planning and Zoning Commission
• Police Policy Oversight Commission
• Public Utility Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Related News and Status

Status Reports / News

Related PlanScape Status on: Best Practice, Diversity and Inclusion, Governance/Public Policy

Key reports on: Rochester Ethical Practices Board

March 12, 2025: Braver Angels Mar 2025 Newsletter: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind? Listen to (and learn from) the other side Read more ... March 11, 2025: 311 Service March 11, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is excited to celebrate National 311 Day by highlighting its 311 service. Launched in October 2024, 311 is designed to make it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to connect with City services and access information. Read more ... March 07, 2025: Mayor Kim Norton Participates in 93rd U.S. Conference of Mayors Mayor Communications   City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 8-12, 2025. City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Read more ... March 06, 2025: Rochester International Relations Committee 1. 2025 Sister City Trips: Japan, Germany 2. Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities) 3. Sister Cities Relationship Logs 4. IRC Meeting Logs Read more ... March 02, 2025: Link BRT a milestone project for Rochester DMC Feb 2025 Board Meeting Memo  City of Rochester Receives $84.92 Million Federal Grant for Transformative Link Bus Rapid Transit Project LINK Progress Report to City Council  Rochester eyes TIF to support Transit Village, Public Parking March 2, 2025 Update per PB Reporting Read more ... February 27, 2025: About Youth “Year About Youth” – Celebrating and Supporting Rochester’s Young People The City of Rochester and Mayor Kim Norton are excited to once again participate in the League of Minnesota Cities’ (LMC) annual Mayor for a Day Essay Contest.   Read more ... February 16, 2025: Chateau Theatre Upkeep Feb 6, 2025 DMCC  Feb 3, 2025 City Council Proceedings PB Reporting   Read more ... February 14, 2025: Minnesota Selected for National Cohort Around Dual Enrollment Policy Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota is one of seven states selected to join The Next Phase of Dual Enrollment Policy Cohort, a new initiative from the College in High School Alliance (CHSA) that seeks to advance dual enrollment policies across the nation. The cohort also includes New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. Read more ... February 13, 2025: Journie 2025 Activities Journie Juneteenth Recognition: 2025 Mr. & Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Recognition Application and Sponsorship Opportunities The Juneteenth Experience Event at Mayo Civic    Read more ... February 11, 2025: City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD Unbound City Council Study Session: Video Recording Link Presentation Collaboration Commitment Read more ... February 11, 2025: Vision 2050 Report and Next Steps Press Release Results Report City Council Study Session Read more ... February 08, 2025: Accountability and Metrics DMCC Feb 2025 Meeting Accountability and Metrics engagement: Presentation, Memo and Video Recording Read more ... February 07, 2025: DMC Equitable Economic Development Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report: Community Co-design, Equity Alliance Topics, Community Connection & Capacity Building, Pitch Event, Targeted Business Metrics, Affordable Housing Read more ... February 06, 2025: DMC Feb 2025 Key Topics Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Key Topics: Annual Report; Metrics and Accountability; 2nd Street SW Public Realm Enhancement; Public/Private Collaboration to advance City for Health brand; Video Recording Read more ... February 01, 2025: Rochester Sports Complex Community Inputs ISIAH:  Ask Rochester City Council to Ensure Equitable Benefit of the Regional Sports Complex: "We believe it’s important that this complex offer equitable community benefit to residents and particular families who lack accessible recreation spaces and affordable, structured programs for their children." Read more ...

Community Anchor Participation:

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Organization Life Cycle Assessment (Pause, Startup, Steady, Isolated Impact, Collective Impact  Unknown)

Steady