Opinion No. (2005)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General DANIEL G. STONE Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE LONI HANCOCK, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: May a city council member, who serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit trust created to support the operations of a national historical park, participate in a city council decision to lease a parcel of land to a business owner from whom the council member has solicited contributions on behalf of the nonprofit trust? CONCLUSION A city council member, who serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit trust created to support the operations of a national historical park, may participate in a city council decision to lease a parcel of land to a business owner from whom the council member has solicited contributions on behalf of the nonprofit trust. ANALYSIS The question presented for resolution concerns a city council member who serves on the board of directors of a nonprofit trust created to support the operations of a national historical park that is located within the city's boundaries. In his capacity as a director of the trust, the council member has solicited financial contributions from…