Opinion No. (1998)

DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General CLAYTON P. ROCHE Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE HELEN MACLEOD THOMSON, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: Is a former member of a city council who participated in the planning, discussions, and approval necessary to implement a city loan program for developing businesses within the city thereafter precluded from acquiring a loan under the program? CONCLUSION A former member of a city council who participated in the planning, discussions, and city approval necessary to implement a city loan program for developing businesses within the city is thereafter precluded from acquiring a loan under the program. ANALYSIS A city councilman, while a member of both the council and the city's redevelopment agency, participated in the planning, discussions, and approval necessary to implement a loan program for developing businesses within the city. The revolving loan program is currently funded by a federal community development block grant. After leaving office, the councilman decided to establish an equipment rental business in the city. May he now obtain a loan under the city's program he helped…