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

October 26, 2025: DMC 2026 Budget and Workplan 2026 Budget and Workplan September DMCC Board Meeting Reference(s): Concurring City Council Oct 6 2025 Approval Request    Read more ... October 21, 2025: HOME OWNERSHIP CREATION PROGRAM – LONDON BROOK PONDS City Council Meeting Approval of Housing Support: Housing Funding Allocations; TIF approval PB reporting Read more ... October 15, 2025: Mayor and City Council Launch ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ Press Release and focuses: Civic Engagement Scorecard, Civic Infrastructure Scan References: AI summary of project, Community Forum Read more ... October 15, 2025: DAP Funding Justification Oct 15, 2025 D.A.P. Meeting Info Sharing - Building a community-owned data repository     Read more ... October 06, 2025: 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations 2026 Annual Action Plan - Community Development Block Grant Allocations Presentation  Read more ... October 02, 2025: Local Sales Tax Update City Council Study Session: Sales Tax Renewal Projects - Utilization of Sales Tax: Street Reconstruction. Flood Control and Water Quality, Economic Vitality, Home Ownership AI summary of PB Reporting   Read more ... September 28, 2025: September 2025 Charter Commission City Governance Work Item Application for replacement member Read more ... September 27, 2025: 2024-2025 RPS Data Analysis Sep 2025 MCA Improvement Action Plan  2024-25 Fastbridge Data Analysis and Literacy Plan Update PB reporting on MCA Read more ... September 27, 2025: Healthy Living Wellness Tips 2025 Oct podcast; Sep Newsletter 2025 Conference Materials 2020 Lifestyle Medicine Symposium (March 19-20) Read more ... September 23, 2025: City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning Sep 22, 2025 City Council  Sep 15, 2025 Study Session, Sep 3, 2025 Study Session;  Aug 25, 2025 Study Session; Press Release;  June 23, 2025 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Material  Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook. Read more ... September 04, 2025: Start-up Funds for International Relates Committee Video Recording City Council Approval Request to approve $20,000 contingency to create a start-up funding for the International Relations Committee.  Adjacent work streams Read more ... August 30, 2025: RPS 2025 Strategic Planning Updaters Superintendent Goals Strategic Planning Updaters "Rochester Public Schools kicks off rebranding effort to gain an edge in a ‘competitive environment” Read more ... August 18, 2025: Aug 18, 2025 City Council Study Session and Council Meeting Topics 2026 City Action Plan DMC Plan 5 Year Plan Update Democracy Innovation  Read more ... August 08, 2025: Rochester Mayor Communications Aug 2025 Videos; Apr 2025 Mayor's YouTube Rochester Voices Channel ;  Mar 2025: 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 ... August 06, 2025: 2025 Race to Lead Survey Building Movement 2025 Race to Lead Survey Announcement: This survey is intended for individuals who currently work for pay at nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Those in unpaid, volunteer or advisory roles will not meet eligibility.  Read more ...

Community Anchor Participation:

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

Steady