An ordinance amending Section 2.04.080 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to prohibit Members of the Metropolitan Council from accepting gratuitous meals from organizations and agencies.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has taken part in a longstanding tradition of accepting free meals from sponsoring organizations prior to meetings of the Council, as well as at other times and places; and

WHEREAS, recent events involving legislators at the State level have brought the issue of ethics reform for all governmental leaders to the forefront of public attention and discussion; and

WHEREAS, the current standards for ethical conduct contained in the Metropolitan Code of Laws allow Members of Council to accept gifts or benefits, including meals, which are provided to all other Members of Council, other elected officials, employees of the metropolitan government, or members of the general public; and

WHEREAS, prohibiting Members of Council from accepting such meals helps avoid any appearance of impropriety.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Section 2.04.080 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws be and the same is hereby amended by amending subsection C. by adding the following provision at the end thereof:

"Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, members of council shall be prohibited from accepting gratuitous meals from any organization or agency that presently has a matter pending with the metropolitan council, has had matters pending with the council in the past, or is likely to have matters pending with the council in the future."

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Michael Craddock, John Summers, Chris Whitson, Eric Crafton, Jim Gotto, Ludye Wallace, Harold White, Vivian Wilhoite, Pam Murray, Charlie Tygard, Parker Toler, Sam Coleman, Greg Adkins, Jim Shulman, Randy Foster, Amanda McClendon, Feller Brown, Rip Ryman, Jim Forkum, Ginger Hausser, Adam Dread, Jason Hart, Tommy Bradley, J. B. Loring, Buck Dozier