HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail To Randy Ripley From Thomas M. Carpenter 07/13/2009OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Little Rock, Arkansas
MEMORANDUM
TO: Randy Ripley
Historic District Commission
FROM: Thomas M. Carpenters
City Attorney
BY: Debra K. Weldor�—DKU)
Deputy City Attorney
RE: Conflict of Interest
DATE: 13 JULY 2009
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Members of City of Little Rock boards and commissions are public servants
and, as such, must adhere to the City. Code of Ethics requirements as to
disclosure of any matter with which they have a conflict of interest, and by
withdrawal from participation in discussion and decisions related to the matter.
DISCUSSION
This memo is submitted to address the question of whether the City Code of Ethics' prevents
your consideration of Page Wilson's application for a Certificate of Appropriateness ("COA")
for a proposed construction project at the northwest corner of 15'h and Rock Street within the
MacArthur Park Historic District. It is my understanding that you own investment properties
within the MacArthur Park Historic District, and that at least one of your historic district
properties is adjacent to Page Wilson'.s.proposed project.
The preamble of the City Code of Ethics explains that because "the public entrusts its.powers
and. resources to its servants.to be used only in the public interest," it is the responsibility of each
public servant to subordinate their personal interests in order to fulfill their public responsibilities
and to cultivate' public trust. Little Rock, Ark., Rev. Code § 2-331 (1988) ("LRC"), in
furtherance of this policy, the Code of Ethics establishes that a public servant shall not be
involved in the decision -making process for a matter of public business if the public servant has
a conflict of interest. LRC § 2-335(c).
Little Rock, Ark., Rev. Code §§ 2-331 to -349 (1988)