Title
Pursuant to City Code § 1.4.105 (Candidates for Election), Colorado Springs Utilities Employee Request for City Council Consent to Run for Harrison School District Two Board of Education and, If Elected, Request to Waive the Requirement to Terminate Employment
Presenter:
Tracy Lessig, Deputy City Attorney
Body
Summary:
Pursuant to City Code § 1.4.105 (Candidates for Election), Colorado Springs Utilities employee Michelle Wills-Hill is requesting consent from City Council to run for Harrison School District Two Board of Education. She is also requesting waiver of the requirement to terminate employment if she is elected to the position. Harrison School District Two is within the City limits of Colorado Springs and within the service area of Colorado Springs Utilities. City Council can revoke its consent to run and, if she is elected, waiver of the requirement to terminate employment if Ms. Wills-Hill fails to comply with any City Charter provision, City Code provision, Colorado Springs Utilities policy or procedure, or any other applicable law or regulation regarding campaigning while on duty or use of City/Utilities resources.
Background:
In February of 2021, City Code § 1.4.105 (Candidates for Election) was amended to address when City employees (including Utilities employees) must terminate employment if they run for elected office. The ordinance requires City employees to terminate employment with the City upon filing a candidate nomination petition for any elective office of the City. The ordinance also requires City employees to terminate employment upon filing a statement of candidacy or a candidate affidavit for any elective office of the Federal Government, the State of Colorado, the County of El Paso, the City or any school district lying wholly or partly within the City limits or within the service area of the Utilities unless the Mayor or a majority of City Council, as appropriate, give consent. In addition, the ordinance requires City employees elected or appointed to any elective office of the Federal Government, the State of Colorado, the County of El Paso, or any school district lying wholly or partly within the City limits or within the service area of the Utilities to terminate employment with the City upon acceptance of such elective office unless this requirement is waived by the Mayor or a majority of City Council, as appropriate.
Previous Council Action:
City Code § 1.4.105 (Candidates for Election) was amended in February of 2021.
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Colorado Springs Utilities recommends that City Council give consent to Ms. Wills-Hill to run for Harrison School District Two Board of Education and, if she is elected, waive the requirement that she terminate employment. It is the opinion of Colorado Springs Utilities leadership that Ms. Wills-Hill’s position as an Environmental Specialist with Colorado Springs Utilities does not constitute an inherent conflict with holding office on the Harrison School District Two Board of Education. Colorado Springs Utilities also recommends City Council reserve the authority to revoke its consent to run and, if she is elected, waiver of the requirement to terminate employment if Ms. Wills-Hill violates any City Charter provision, City Code provision, Colorado Springs Utilities policy or procedure, or any other applicable law or regulation regarding campaigning while on duty or use of City/Utilities resources.
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
City Council could decline to give Ms. Wills-Hill consent to run for Harrison School District Two Board of Education and decline to waive the requirement she terminate employment with Colorado Springs Utilities if elected to the position.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to give Michelle Wills-Hill consent to run for Harrison School District Two Board of Education and, if she is elected to the position, to waive the requirement she terminate employment with Colorado Springs Utilities, with the understanding that City Council may revoke its consent to run or, if she is elected, waiver of the requirement to terminate employment if Ms. Wills-Hill violates any City Charter provision, City Code provision, Colorado Springs Utilities policy or procedure, or any other applicable law or regulation regarding campaigning while on duty or use of City/Utilities resources.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A