HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 07/16/2015 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on July 16,2015
ACM Conference Room-51h Floor City Hall—1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Karon Connelly at 5:30.
1. Roll Call. Present: Vice-Chair Karon Connelly, Alicia Benavidez, Ken Bung, Harry Hallows,
Drue Jones, Arthie Lee Perez, Larry White and Rod Wolthoff. City Staff in attendance:Assistant
City Attorney Lisa Aguilar. Chair Dr. Dawod arrived at 5:40
2. Review and approval of June Minutes. A motion was made by Alicia Benavidez to approve
the minutes, second by Larry White.All In favor, none opposed.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding absences. Item 3 regarding absences was tabled to
next meeting.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding new Ethics Commissioner. The Commission
welcomed new Ethics Commissioner Drue Jones to the Ethics Commislon.
5. Review Candidate/Officeholder filings from the City Secretary's office. None to review.
6. Review Ethics Commission procedures. This item was discussed in conjuction with item 7.
7. Review "Improving the Ethics Code" powerpoint presentation with discussion and possible
action. Assistant City Attorney Aguilar informed the Commission of the City Council agenda
Item on July 21 regarding the Legal Department recommendations concerning the Jon Mureen
report on the City Code of Ethics and provided a copy of the report to the Commission. Motion
made by Harry Hallows to formally request Mayor to take the presentation off of the City
Council agenda out of respect to the Ethics Commission. Ms. Connelly stated need for
Independent legal advice. Mr. Wolthoff seconded Mr. Hollows' motion. Motion passed with 5
In favor: Dr. Dawod, Karon Connelly, Harry Hallows, Arthie Lee Perez and Rod Wolthoff.
Opposed: Ken Bung,Alicia Benavidez,Drue Jones, Larry White.
Motion made by Ken Bung second by Rod Wolthoff to strike last sentence from the Legal
Department's presentation and any references to the Ethics Commission. All in favor, none
opposed (Note:Larry White left meeting at approximately 6:30 before the vote.)
Motion made by Harry Hallows as follows: "I move to instruct Jon Mureen to incorporate his
recommended changes into the corpus Christi Ethics Ordinance,with the changes highlighted In
red In Microsoft Word on a flash drive or CD, for review and approval by the Ethics Commission
and then City Council. Such work shall be paid for by the City as a legal expense of the Ethics
Commission as authorized in City Ordinance for independent legal representation available to
the Ethics Commission, after a quote/invoice from Jon Mureen is presented to the Ethics
Commission for approval, and then only upon approval of the revised ordinance by the Ethics
Commission. The revised ordinance draft shall be presented to the Ethics Commissson within
30 days of Its approval of such quote/invoice." After some discussion, Mr. Hallows withdrew
his motion.
Motion made by Ms. Connelly that the Ethics Commission hire independent legal counsel
Independent from the City to provide legal advice as needed when needed. Second by Rod
Wolthoff. Four in favor(Arthie Lee Perez, Rod Wolthoff, Harry Hallows). One abstained (Dr.
Dawod). Three opposed (Alicia Benavidez, Drue Jones, Ken Bung). One absent (Larry White)
Motion passed.
Motion by Dr. Dawod to accept Jon Mureen report as basis to review and improve the City's
Code of Ethics. Second by Rod Wolthoff. All In favor except Karon Connelly and also except
Larry White who was not present at time of this motion. Motion passed.
S. Public comment. There was no public comment.
9. Next meeting: The Commission set meeting date on August 20, 2015.
10. Identification of items to be placed on the next meeting's agenda:
Discussion regarding independent legal counsel and Mureen Report
11. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15.
The foregoing minutes of the meetin ofthe Ethics Commission were approved on August 20,2015 by the
Ethics Commission.
By'-49/2a 1�o/S
Dr. Haysam Dawod,Chairperson
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