Chapter 2.65
EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES

Sections:

2.65.010    Employment of relatives.

2.65.010 Employment of relatives.

(a)    Except as provided in the Charter, an applicant or employee in the city service who is related by blood, marriage, or adoption to another applicant or an employee in the city service will be given equal consideration for employment with other applicants for vacant positions, or with other employees for transfers or promotions. Such applicant or employee will not, however, be considered for a position or positions when the city manager determines that a reporting, auditing or supervisory relationship would exist between such applicant or employee and another applicant or an employee in the city service to whom such applicant or employee is so related, or where such individuals would report directly to the same supervisor.

(b)    If two employees in such positions become so related to one another, one must be transferred to another department or division of a department where the reporting, auditing, or supervisory relationship does not exist or where they are not reporting directly to the same supervisor. If a transfer cannot be accomplished due to the unavailability of an open position, one of the employees must resign. The decision as to which employee will transfer or resign will be made in the first instance by the employees involved. If the employees do not decide which employee will transfer or resign within 30 days after becoming related to one another, the city manager shall determine which employee will transfer or resign based on the best interests of the city; provided, however, that if continuation in employment is otherwise authorized under the Charter, this section shall not apply.

(c)    Grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, and children are considered “related by blood or adoption.” In-laws, cohabitants, and spouses are considered “related by marriage.”

(d)    In respect to volunteer firefighters and volunteer firefighter applicants, so long as a relationship that would otherwise be prohibited under this section does not interfere with the operation of the fire department the only reporting, auditing or supervisory relationship prohibited by this section is that between the volunteer or applicant and the fire chief, assistant fire chief or the fire department’s administrative assistant. In addition, the prohibition on individuals reporting to the same supervisor shall not apply to volunteer firefighters or applicants so long as that does not interfere with the operations of the fire department. (Ord. 1860 § 1, 2017)