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Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on November 19,2015
ACM Conference Room So Floor City Hall—1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr.Haysam Dawod at 5:30.
1. Roll Call. Present: Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod; Alicia Benavidez, Vice-Chair Karon Connelly,
Harry Hallows, Drue Jones, Larry White and Rod Wolthoff. Absent: Ken Bung. City Staff In
attendance:Assistant City Attorney Lisa Aguilar.
2. Review and approval of October 2015 Minutes. A motion was made by Rick Miiby to
approve the minutes,second by Larry White. All In favor;none opposed.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding appreciation for Arthle Lee Perez' service on the
Ethics Commission. Ms.Perez was in attendance and received expression of appreciation from
the Ethics Commission for service on the commission.
4. Discussion and possible action regarding Financial Report requirements and procedures
under Section 2-340 through 2-347 of the City Code of Ethics. Mr. Hallows requested to add
Planning and Zoning Contracts to this Item for future meeting.Section 2-326 of the City Code of
Ethics states that the Commission reviews and statements and reports. The Commission asked
staff attorney to find out what the Commission can and cannot do in relation to the "review".
This item was tabled for further discussion at the next meeting to allow time to add further
verbiage and clarifying scope of the review.
S. Discussion and possible action regarding hiring independent legal counsel pursuant to Code
of Ethics. Mr. Wolthoff will continue work on the draft legal service agreement for next
Commission meeting. This Item will be continued to next month's agenda.
6. Review "Improving the Ethics Code" powerpoint report with discussion and possible action.
A. Discussion and possible action regarding amendments to the qty Code of Ethics Including
proposed conflict of interest language.
7. Discussion and possible action regarding amendments to the Code of Ethics Section 2-311
(10)regarding appointments by the City Council
Items 6A and 7 were discussed jointly. The Commission received proposed amendments to the
City Code of Ethics Conflict of interest section and also proposed amendments to the section
regarding City Council appointments. The changes in red were based on the City of San Antonio
ordinance. The changes in green were proposed by Mr. Milby. The changes in blue were
proposed by Mr.White.
The Commission discussed the amendments based an the San Antonio ordinance, and had
questions regarding the phrase "oMdal actions. The Commission discussed language as
proposed by Mr.Milby.
The Commission discussed language proposed to limit the appointments in certain situations as
proposed by Mr.White's language. Larry White and Drue Jones agreed to work on language to
these sections.
Motion was made by Harry Hallows,second by Alicia Senavidez,to table this discussion to next
meeting. Motion passed 6 in favor, )opposed (Dr. Dawod), 1 abstention (Drue Jones).
S. Discussion and possible action regarding election of officers. Dr. Haysam Dawod was
nominated to serve as Chair by Drue Jones, second by Karon Connelly. All in favor none
opposed. Karon Connelly was nominated by Rod Wolthoff to serve as Vice-Chair; second by
Harry Hallows. WI in favor none opposed.
9. Discussion and possible action regarding Annual Ethics Commission report of activities due
on January 15,2016. No discussion and no action taken.
10. Discussion of concerns with or requested changes to the Cityrs Code of Ethics. No
discussion and no action taken on this item.
11. Public Comment. There was no public comment.
12. Identification of date for next Ethics Commission meeting. The Commission set meeting
date on December 22,2015.
13. Identification of items to be placed on the next meeting's agenda: Financial Report review;
review of contract for independent legal counsel; continue review of Mureen potential along
with review of conflict of interest language; discussion regarding City council appointments
with possible recommendation of changes to the Code of Ethics.
14. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15.
The foregoing minutes of the meeting of the Ethics Commission were approved on December 22,2015,by the
Ethics Commission.
By.
Dr. Haysam Dawod,Chairperson