AICP Online Practice Questions and Answers

Correct Answer: A

You are definitely conflicted in this case. So first issue is to recognize this financial conflict of interest and disclose it. (Rule of Conduct 6) You have 2 options. One option is to get approval of your supervisor with full written disclosure as to your personal interest. You may get consent in writing to move forward and complete the review. The second option is to hire an independent consultant to review the situation. It is good policy for a planning department to pre-qualify consultants for such situations so that the matter can be expeditiously turned over. This may also be a good route to take if the applicant is a member of the city council and has hiring authority over the planner.

Correct Answer: A

Correct Answer: C

Correct Answer: B

Correct Answer: C

Correct Answer: A

You might gather additional information about the situation to be sure you fully understand it. You might find out if alternative locations for the shelter are feasible and if the shelter operators are aware of these alternatives. For example, you might locate a space where people may wait indoors until the shelter opens. You also might talk to the planning director about the situation so that you understand the reasoning behind the decision. You base your next move on your findings

Correct Answer: A

Correct Answer: A

First, consider what should already have happened before the application was about to go before the planning commission. Clearly, you should know about any laws in your state or jurisdiction that apply to such a situation and should follow the law. The potential conflict should have been identified well before this. After noticing the conflict, based on office protocol, it must be decided who will approach (or confront) the commissioner about the conflict of interest. If your boss is unwilling to explain the conflict of interest, you must decide how you will handle this. You might ask the APA Ethics Officer for informal advice on what you should do (Procedure 2). Whoever brings the conflict to the attention of the commissioner should recommend that the commissioner recuse himself or herself from the planning commission meeting. Suppose the potential conflict only became apparent at the time of the meeting. At that point in time, you should explain the problem to the planning director. Then, the planning director and the commissioner might consult privately and decide what to do; if the law is clear, obviously the decision must be to follow the law. If the decision is made that the commissioner should recuse himself or herself from the decision-making process, then the commissioner should leave the room. Recusing oneself means more than just sitting there quietly. In addition, the commissioner must not engage in future discussions with the board or planning staff about the application (Ethical Principle 2). Suppose the law on what constitutes a conflict of interests is not clear or does not exist and suppose that the commissioner says that this is silly and that there is no conflict of interest. Then you might go to the jurisdictional attorney for guidance. If the commissioner continues to participate in the process, you should clearly state the conflict in your report (Rule of Conduct 19).

Correct Answer: B

Correct Answer: A