HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 06/18/2015 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on June 18,2015
ACM Conference Roam 5s`Floor City Hall—1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Dr.Haysam Dawod,Chair,at 5:39.
1. Roll Call. Present: Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod, Vice-Chair Karon Connelly, Alicia Benavidez,
Arthie Lee Perez,Larry White and Rod Wolthoff. Absent: Harry Hallows and Ken Bung.City Staff
In attendance:Assistant City Attorney Lisa Aguilar.
L Review and approval of Minutes. A motion was made by Larry White to approve the
minutes,second by Alicia Benavidez.All in favor;none opposed.
3.Procedures regarding absences. The Commission reviewed motion approved at last meeting
that absences would be considered excused if absent Commissioner called qty Legal or Chair
before the meeting. The Commission tabled further discussion to have legal staff advise
whether attendance could be by conference call. The Commission was informed that Mr. Bung
called about absence due to family obligations, and Mr. Hallows emailed that absence was due
to mobility scooter weather-related issues.
4. Candidate/Officeholder filings from the City Secretary's office. The Commission discussed
that the campaign finance reports are posted on the City Secretary's website and that this
should be sufficient to meet the code requirements to disseminate the reports. The
Commission reviewed annual finandal reports and returned reports for additional information.
S. Review Ethics Complaint form. The Commission reviewed sample complaint form. Ms.
Connelly provided clarifying declaration language. Motion by Rod Wolthoff, second by Larry
White to approve the sample complaint form as amended during the meeting. All in favor,
none opposed. The Commission will review the final draft at next meeting.
5. City Code of Ethics Amendments. The Commission discussed postponement of the Ethics
Commission proposed amendments, reviewed the City Council motion from March 10, 2015
meeting("Motion directing the City Manager to support the Ethics Commission in performing a
comparative study of ethics ordinances across Texas"),and discussed that the Chair will present
the proposed amendments to the Mayor to request placement on the agenda with signatures
from the Commission.
7. City staff and legal advice at Ethics Commission meetings and hearings. The Commission
reviewed City Code section regarding hiring Independent legal counsel; the Commission
discussed seeking independent legal counsel as needed on case by case basis.
S. "improving the Ethics Code"powerpoint report. The Commission tabled the discussion. The
Chair asked the Commission to review the report to Identify top two priorities.
9. Next meeting: The Commission set meeting date on July 15,2025.
10. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:25.
The foregoing minutes of the meetin of the Ethics Commission were approved on 5j"'by the
Ethics Commission.
11,
By
Dr.Haysam Dawod,Chairperson