MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS ETHICS COMMISSION

Kansas City Charter art. XI, div. 3

in effect

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1116 Commission established.

Sec. 1116. - Commission established. There is created a Municipal Officials and Officers Ethics Commission of seven members appointed by the Mayor, with at least one member residing in each Council district to serve a four year term and until a successor is appointed. One member shall be named by the Mayor as chair. No members of the Commission shall hold any other public office or be a candidate for any public office, or be an elected or appointed member of any local, state or national committee of any political party, or an active member of any political party or active member of any partisan or nonpartisan political club or organization.

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1117 Duties.

Sec. 1117. - Duties. (a) Advisory opinions. The Commission shall have the power and duty to render advisory opinions and to investigate and report on allegations of violations of the City's Charter and ordinances concerning conflict of interest and financial disclosure by members of the City Council, including the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Manager's assistants, department directors, the City Clerk, and the City Auditor, and appointed officers of City boards and commissions. The Commission with the concurrence of at least four members may issue advisory opinions upon the written request by any member of the City Council or the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Manager's assistants, department Directors, the City Clerk, the City Auditor, and appointed officers of City boards and commissions, and persons employed by the City not otherwise subject to review by an administrative ethics committee. Advisory opinions may also be rendered to address possible conflicts of interest if a person assumes a public office. (b) Investigations. (1) Authority. The Commission, with the affirmative vote of at least four of its members, upon the sworn complaint of any resident of the City or upon their own initiative, may investigate any alleged violation. (2) Availability of witnesses and evidence. The Commission shall have the power to examine witnesses under oath or affirmation and the power to subpoena all documents and persons necessary for their investigation. (3) Procedure. (A) Notification to the person. The Commission shall, upon receiving such sworn complaint, or following their own affirmative vote to consider an investigation, notify the municipal official or officer, in writing, of the nature of the alleged complaint. (B) Response of the person. The municipal official or officer shall be given at least ten days to provide the Commission with such information as the official deems appropriate to explain or justify the circumstances. (C) Decision to continue investigation. Thereafter, the Commission may, by an affirmative vote of at least four members, proceed to commence an investigation for the purpose of producing a final report and recommendations on the matter. (D) Hearing. At the request of the municipal official or officer, the Commission shall hold a hearing where the municipal official or officer can provide evidence and testimony and examine any other witnesses called to testify. (E) Response of the person. Prior to the issuance of its final report and recommendations, the Commission shall provide an opportunity for the municipal official or officer to respond to the report and recommendations.

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1118 Staff.

Sec. 1118. - Staff. The Commission may call upon the City Attorney, the City Auditor or any other appropriate public officer to assist them in their investigation. Contingent on the availability of funds, the Commission may utilize outside counsel or staff if it is reasonable and necessary to properly complete its work.

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1119 Records.

Sec. 1119. - Records. (a) Closed records. When permitted by the Missouri law applicable to open meetings and records, and in recognition of the following factors, meetings and records of the Commission in connection with an investigation or advisory opinion shall be closed to the public: (1) The information to be presented or to be discussed at the meeting or the records may involve persons other than the municipal official or officer who are not under investigation and disclosure of such information may be harmful to such persons; or (2) The information to be presented or discussed or the records may involve matters which if publicly disclosed might be adverse to the best interests of the City. (b) Review of closed records. Information closed under this provision shall be reviewed annually to determine if it may be opened to public inspection. (c) Open records. The Commission may, upon the affirmative vote of four members, open a meeting or records under the following circumstances: (1) The municipal official or officer who is subject to such investigation requests an open meeting or record and the Commission determines that such action would not be adverse to the public interest; or (2) The Commission makes a determination after an investigation that a violation of the Charter or ordinance has occurred in which event a final report on the investigation shall always be an open record.

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1120 Removal.

Sec. 1120. - Removal. Commission members may be removed for cause, for ceasing to hold the qualifications to serve, refusal to serve, or malfeasance in office. Removal shall be by quo warranto.

Kansas City Charter, art. XI, § 1121 Nonseverability.

Sec. 1121. - Nonseverability. If any part of this division is declared invalid by an appellate court of this state, it is the express intent that the division be deemed totally invalid.

Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri, Code of Ordinances, Charter and Zoning and Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mo/kansas_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICHKAMI_ARTXIBOCO_DIV3MUOFOFETCOFetched: 10/28/2026