Committee discusses narrow exception to code of ethics for medical director hire; staff to rework language with ethics board input

The Ordinance Committee reviewed a proposed change to Section 32‑11 of the city Code of Ethics on April 15 that would create an extremely limited exception to restrictions on subsequent employment for a single position: the health department medical director.

Committee staff said the health department has had difficulty retaining a qualified medical director and requested a narrowly tailored exception to permit a retired board member with the needed qualifications to serve. Staff said the draft language would exempt only the medical‑director position and no other positions.

Several committee members raised concerns about precedent and due process. Councilmember Nora Nadelski Eitner said carving out an individual job from a broad ethics rule “sticks in your craw” and recommended additional safeguards; another member suggested requiring an advisory opinion from the Board of Ethics confirming no conflict in the particular case. Committee members asked whether a narrower approach — for example, approving an exception only after a formal advisory opinion from the Board of Ethics — would reduce concerns about future carve‑outs.

Committee members agreed not to send the item immediately to public hearing. Instead staff will work with Councilmember Nadelski Eitner and any interested ethics board members to draft revised language (for example, adding a required advisory opinion or other guardrails) and circulate the revised text before the next meeting. The item will return for further committee review and possible public hearing once the language is finalized.