HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 12/22/2015 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on December 22,2015
ACM Conference Room-5t'Floor City Hall—1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr.Haysam Dawod at 530.
1. Roll Call" Present: Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod; Vice-Chair Karon Connelly, Harry Hallows, Drue
Jones, Rick Milby, Larry White and Rod Wolthoff. Ms. Alicia Benavidez arrived at 5S0 Absent:
Ken Bung. City Staff in attendance:Assistant City Attorney Lisa Aguilar.
2. Review and approval of November 2015 Minutes. A motion was made by Larry White,
second by Harry Hallows. All in favor;none opposed.
3. Discussion and Possible action regarding Financial Reportrequirements_and procedures
Under Section 2-340 through 2-347 of the City Code of Ethics. The Commission was provided
and discussed options to amend Section 2-326. A motion was made by Rod Wolthoff to adopt
proposed amendment option 1 to section 2-326(a)(3) which reads as follows "Review all
financial disclosure reports which are filed with the City pursuant to this Article. If the
commission identifies a possible conflict of interest from its review of the financial disclosure
report;the Commission shall notify the filing official to request additional Information regarding
the possible conflict of interest." Second by Harry Hallows. Motion by Karon Connelly to
amend to insert "or need further disclosure" in the second sentence as follows: "Review all
financial disclosure reports which are filed with the City pursuant to this Article. If the
commission identifies a possible conflict of Interest or need further disclosure from its review of
the financial disclosure report; the Commission shall notify the filing official to request
additional information regarding the possible conflict of interest." Second by Rod Wolthoff
and Larry White to accept the amendment. All In favor; none opposed. A comment was made
to correct a typo in subsection (b)(3)to change "it's duties"to"its duties".
4. Discussion and possible action regarding hiring independent legal counsel pursuant to Code
of Ethics Section 2-327. Mr. Wolthoff presented the legal service agreement for consideration.
Harry Hallows made motion to accept the legal service agreement. Second by Larry White. All
in favor; none opposed. The Chair asked the Commission to bring forward information
regarding attorneys to serve as independent legal counsel for the Commission.
5. DisSusslon and Pollible cti n regarding amendmenthe-Citye of Ethics S ction 2-
311 regarding conflict f IntereA andInteralso regarding appointments by City Council.
The Commission reviewed draft amendments to the conflict of interest section first. The
Commission discussed changes to include (1)on page 5, deleting subsection (c); (2) an page 6,
deleting definition regarding "action affecting an economic interest"; and (3) on page 7,
deleting subsection (F). A motion was made by Drue Jones to approve amendments up until
page 8, second by Larry White. All In favor, none opposed. Chair Dr. Dawod asked staff to
research other cities (i.e. Fort Worth, Amarillo) for information on appointments with respect
to campaign contributions.
6. Discussion and nossibleaction regarding annual Ethics Commission report of activities. The
Commission discussed some minor amendments to the report: insert the word "financial"
before "statements" and change "mock complaints" to "exemplary complaints" in the Duties
section; add "continue review of Mureen report" in the November 19 section; add "approved
contract form"for independent legal counsel in the December 22 section; add "will be seeking
alternates for independent legal counsel' In the December 22 section. Rod Wolthoff made a
motion to approve the report as amended Karon Connelly seconded. All in favor, none
opposed.
7. Discu si n of cont ms with or requested chanizes to the i e of Ethics. The
Commission discussed simplification of the current code and concerns about profits from
confidential information.
S. Public Comment. There was no public comment.
9. Identification of next Ethics Commission meeting. The next meeting will be January 21;
discussion regarding a calendar for meeting dates to be set at the third Thursday of the month.
Staff to provide the Commissioners with email to Identify future meeting dats as the third
Thursday of the month.
10. Review"Imorovinst theEthics "powerpoint report with discussion and possible action.
11. IIdgntification of Items to be placed on_the_next meeting's agenda: conflict of interest
amendments; independent legal counsel; Mureen report, information about appointments
made by City Council in other cities.
12. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:Q5.
The foregoing minutes of the the Ethics Commission were approved on December 22,2015,by the
Ethics Commission.
By=
Dr.Haysam Dawod, Chairperson