HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 09/08/2011 RECEIVED
MINUTES NOV 2 201
Regular Meeting
Ethics Commission
City of Corpus Christi,Texas CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
September 8,2011
Legal Conference Room-6th Floor
City Hall-1201 Leopard
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Chairman Cramer called the roll. The following members were present: James R.Cramer,Chairperson,Melvin
Bohannon,Ken Bung,Haysam Dawod,Jennifer Dragoo,Harry Hallows,and Bill Strewn. The following members
were absent: Linda Figueroa,Vice-Chairperson,and Laura Hebert. Carlos Valdez,City Attorney,Jay Reining,First
Assistant City Attorney,and Alison Logan,Chief,Litigation Section were present. The following members of the
public were also in attendance: Cheryl Martinez, President,PAAC; Denny Bales,President,Gulf Coast Humane
Society; Harold Bennett, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Humane Society,Ann Margaret Rusello,PAAC,and Jodi
Wilsner,PMC. A member of the press also attended.
The Commission reviewed and approved the minutes of meeting of July 14,2011.
The Commission took up a request from the City Staff for an advisory opinion on whether an employee's solicitation
of funds on the internet that would enable the employee to attend training related to the employees job could be
considered a violation of the City's Code of Ethics. Jay Reining presented a summary of an incident involving a
solicitation by an animal care officer,but requested a general opinion on the issue,not a finding relating to this
individual. The Commission requested public comments from Ms. Martinez, Mr. Bales,Mr. Bennett,Ms. Rusello,and
Ms.Wilsner. The Commission found that there was insufficient evidence to rule on the specific case,but the In the
future if an employee uses his position with the City or the name of the City in a solicitation for funds for an activity
that would benefit the individual it would be considered a violation of the City's Code of Ethics.
The Commission delayed the review and action on proposed amendments to the City's Code of Ethics(Article V,
Chapter 2,Code of Ordinances)since staff did not have a clean copy of the proposed amendments available.
The Commission delayed the review and action on the amendment of the forms used for the annual and
supplemental financial disclosure reports since staff did not have a clean copy of the proposed amendments
available.
Public comment: Carlos Valdez introduced Alison Logan,Chief Litigation Section,and person who will be taking over
as First Assistant when Jay Reining retires.
Items 3 and 4 were placed on the agenda for the next meeting:
3. Review and possible action on proposed amendments to the City's Code of Ethics(Article V,Chapter 2,
Code of Ordinances).
4. Review and possible action on amendment of the forms used for the annual and supplemental financial
disclosure reports.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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