HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 09/17/2015 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on September 17,2015
ACM Conference Room-5ei Floor City Hall—1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod at 5:40.
1. Roll Call. Present: Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod; Alicia Benavidez, Ken Bung, Harry Hallows,
Orue Jones, Arthie Lee Perez, Larry White, and Rod Walthoff. Absent. Karon Connelly. Dr.
Dawod stated that Ms. Connelly sent an email regarding medical reason for absence. City Staff
In attendance:Assistant City Attorney Lisa Aguilar.
2. Review and approval of August 2015 Minutes. A motion was made by Kenn Bung to approve
the minutes,second by Larry White. All in favor;none opposed.
3. Review Officeholder filings from the City Secretary's office. None to review.
4. Review "Improving the Ethics Code" powerpoint report with discussion and possible action.
This item was moved to the end of the meeting by the Chair.
5. Discussion and possible action regarding hiring independent legal counsel pursuant to Code
of Ethics.
The Commission received Augie Rivera's resume. The Commission discussed that there was a
need for Independent legal counsel per the ordinance on as needed basis. Alicia Benavidez
made a motion to accept Augie Rivera as independent legal counsel, second by Arthie Lee
Perez. All in favor, none opposed. Mr. Wolthoff will review draft legal service agreement for
next Commission meeting.
6. Review Ethics Commission procedures with discussion and possible action:
A. City Code of Ethics Amendments. No discussion.
B. Sample Ethics Complaints. The Commission reviewed the submitted sample complaint and
clean complaint forms. One comment was to space the lines further apart for ease of writing.
Motion made by Drue Jones to approve the forms as submitted; second by Ken Bung. All in
favor, none opposed.
7. Discussion regarding process to approve contracts involving Planning Commissioners.
The Commission discussed history regarding this agenda item. For the October meeting, the
Commission asked to review their notes made on the previously submitted Supplemental
Financial reports,and also requested to review any responses received.
8. Review "Improving the Ethics Code" powerpoint report. The Commission reviewed the
"Conflict of Interest" section of the Mureen Report and had no objections to the report's
recommendations. The Commission directed staff to prepare a redline ordinance Incorporating
the recommended changes for review at the next meeting. The Commission also directed that
a status report be prepared for City Council regarding the Commission review of the report.
Mr. Hallows requested a copy of the minutes from a prior meeting where he had made the
motion to prepare a redline ordinance incorporating the Mureen report recommendations.
9. Public comment. There was no public comment.
10. Next meeting: The Commission set meeting date on October 15,2075.
11. Identification of items to be placed on the next meeting's agenda: Followup to
Supplemental Financial Reports; contract for independent legal counsel; and continuation of
Mureen Report review.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:55.
The foregoing minutes of the meeting of ics Commission were approved an October 15,2015, by the
Ethics Commission.
By: /0
Dr.Haysam Dawod,Chairperson