Rocky's call for a gift ban miffs S.L. Council

Salt Lake City Council members say they have no intention of changing their gift policy — despite a recent call from Mayor Rocky Anderson to do so.

In fact, some council members are a bit indignant that the mayor would make an issue of the gift policy. At least one says Anderson should be worrying less about what the council is doing and paying attention to more important city business.

"He should be worried right now about the upcoming legislative session and how the Legislature just seems completely focused on cutting local government's powers to do their jobs," Councilwoman Jill Remington Love said. "I mean, there are just so many more issues he should be worrying about and not whether we're spending $25 more on gifts. He should be worrying about our in-fill housing ordinances. He needs to focus on the job he's been elected to do."

The gift issue came to a head Friday when Anderson called on the council to enact a gift ban similar to the one he put into effect when he took office. Anderson's ban, which applies to all city employees except council members and their staff, says employees can't even accept a cup of coffee.

Anderson also said he would establish a new Expense Review Committee to examine all expenses and reimbursements incurred by city employees (except those under the authority of the City Council). Those expenses and reimbursements also will have to be posted on the city's Web site beginning next August.

Council members and their staff are governed by separate rules — a city ordinance that says they cannot accept a gift valued at more than $50.

Council members said the $50 ban is more than adequate to ensure people are not unduly influencing them and took umbrage that the mayor would bring up the old issue — a hot topic back in 2000 when Anderson instituted the ban.

"Obviously, he's trying to deflect criticism for what he's done," Councilman Dave Buhler said.

For the record, council members say they have no plans to change their policy. The $50 limit allows them to go to lunches with constituents or others who want to meet with them during lunch time. Since they only work part time, sometimes the lunch hour is the only time they have to meet with people, council members say.

"A moderate business lunch is not a problem," Council Chair Dale Lambert said. "I don't think that the current City Council policy reeks of untoward influence. At the level where we have it, it just doesn't strike me as an issue."