Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 16-1301
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion request regarding the Kenner Historic District Commission and its qualified architect member's ability to represent a party before the Commission during his service and post-termination.
Facts:
The Rivertown Historic District Commission ("Commission") maintains and preserves the buildings that are considered to have architectural and historic value that are located in the Rivertown Historic District in the City of Kenner. The Commission is comprised of five members, one of whom is a qualified architect. The Commission is governed by the City's Unified Development Code, which requires the qualified architect member to recuse him or herself should a project of their own design come before the Commission.
Law:
La. R.S. 42:1112A prohibits a public servant from participating in a transaction involving his governmental entity in which he has a substantial economic interest.

La. R.S. 42:1112B(3) states that no public servant shall participate in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to his actual knowledge, any person of which he is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee has a substantial economic interest.

La. R.S. 42:1120.4 provides an exception for appointed members of a board or commission to recuse themselves from voting on matters that violate section 1112 of the Code. The appointed members may not discuss and debate the matter.

La. R.S. 42:1111E(1) provides that no public servant, and no legal entity of which such public servant is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee, or in which such public servant has a substantial economic interest, shall receive or agree to receive any thing of economic value for assisting a person in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, with the agency of such public servant.

La. R.S. 42:1113A states no public servant, or a member of such a public servant's immediate family, or a legal entity in which he has a controlling interest shall bid on or enter into any contract, subcontract or other transaction that is under the supervision or jurisdiction of the agency of such public servant.

La. R.S. 42:1121A(1) provides no former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that former agency or render any service on a contractual basis to or for such agency.

La. R.S. 42:1121C provides that no legal entity in which a former public servant is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee shall, for a period of two years following the termination of his public service, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such public servant at any time participated during his public service and involving the agency by which he was formerly employed or in which he formerly held office.

La. R.S. 42:1102(3) defines "agency head" to mean the chief executive or administrative officer of an agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over the agency.

Recommendations:
Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
Assigned Attorney: David Bordelon
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2016-1301 - Advisory Opinion (Draft)
2016-1301 ADVOPINION