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<br />"Interested persons" are defined as "a person or a representative of a <br />person or association that has a direct financial interest in a decision <br />that a local official is authorized to make." Minn. Stat. 13471.895. <br /> <br />Given these broad state definitions of "gifts" and "interested per- <br />sons," almost everything that almost anyone might give you as a <br />Councilmember, Commission Member, or staff member is prohibited. <br /> <br />There are a few exceptions. The following are not considered illegal <br />gifts: <br /> <br />. Lawful political contributions <br />· Items such as plaques, mementoes, or services that have insignifi- <br />cant monetary value - which the Legislature in 2005 defined as <br />having a value of $5 or less <br />. Gifts given to members of a larger group not consisting primarily <br />of public officials, such as coupons or sales that apply to everyone <br />. Birthday or similar personal gifts from family members or close <br />friends <br /> <br />When in doubt, do not accept a gift from anyone who has or may <br />have business before the City. If you feel you need a legal opinion <br />about the application or scope of the state's gift law, ask the City At- <br />torney. <br /> <br />2. No Conflicts of Interest <br />Remember our goal is to do what's best for Roseville, not for us per- <br />sonally. State conflict of interest laws are consistent with that goal. <br />Those laws prevent us from appearing as a private citizen on our <br />own behalf before the public body we serve and then requesting that <br />public body to take some action that may have a monetary impact on <br />a family member or us. In other words, we must not participate in <br />City recommendations or decisions that might have a special per- <br />sonal, especially financial, impact on a family member or ourselves. <br /> <br />11 <br />