HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 07/21/2016 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting on July 21, 2016
ACM Conference Room-5t" Floor City Hall— 1201 Leopard Street
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Dawod at 5:30.
Item 1-- Roll Call. Present: Chair Dr. Haysam Dawod, Vice-Chair Karon Connelly, Rob Bailey, Ken
Bung, Harry Hallows, Rick Milby, Larry White. Absent: Alicia Benavidez (excused), Drue Jones
(excused). City Staff in attendance: Assistant City Attorney Lisa Aguilar. The Commission
welcomed new member Rob Bailey who replaced Rod Wolthoff.
Item 2 -- Review and approval of Minutes. A motion to approve June 16 and July 14, 2016
minutes was made by Ken Bung and second by Rick Milby. All in favor; none opposed. Motion
passed.
Item 3 — Discussion and possible action regarding hiring independent legal counsel. The
Commission asked for written statement from City Attorney regarding legal issues related to
going forward with the proposed contract with independent legal counsel.
Item 4— Discussion and possible action regarding amendments to the Ethics Complaint forms.
The Commission reviewed the proposed changes prepared by Larry White.
A. The Commission was informed that the new form eliminated "candidate for office" from
Part B of the form.
B. The Commission reviewed new sentences to Part F (first and last sentences). Mr. White
made a motion to remove"all" out of second and third sentences. Mr. Hallows seconded.
All in favor; motion passed.
C. Mr. White made a motion to leave last sentence in Part F as presented ("Enter 'none' if
you have no sources or attachments for this complaint." Second by Mr. Bung. In favor:
Dr. Dawod, Mr. Bung, Mr. Milby, Mr. Hallows; One opposed: Ms. Connelly. Motion
passed.
D. Ms. Connelly moved to change the first sentence of Part F to read as follows: "List the
sources, if any, of your facts and evidence." Mr. Hallows seconded. All in favor. Motion
passed.
Item 5. Discussion and possible action regarding review of definition of resident for purposes of
City Charter Article II provisions applicable to Council Members from single member districts.
Mr. White referred to the Election Code Section 1.015. Mr. Hallows moved to adopt state statute
Election Code Section 1.015 for purposes of any future ethics complaints that come before the
Ethics Commission. Ms. Connelly seconded. All in favor; none opposed.
Item 6. Discussion and possible action regarding annual financial disclosure forms. The
commission reviewed approximately 70 forms. About 25 were returned for additional
information.
Item 7 — Discussion and possible action regarding Ethics Commission ex parte communications
with City Council.
Item 8— Discussion and possible action regarding checklist for complaints.
Ms. Connelly made motion to table items 7 and 8, second by Mr. Hallows. All in favor; none
opposed.
Item 9— Discussion regarding City Code of Ethics presentation.
The commission discussed presentation made to City Council on July 19, that it was well received,
with good discussion of the proposed changes. The Commission discussed sending a letter to the
City Council to clarify the amendment regarding appointments.
Item 10-- Public Comment. There was no public comment.
Item 11-- Identification of next Ethics Commission meeting. The next regular Ethics Commission
meeting is Thursday August 18, 2016. The Commission is also holding a special meeting.
Item 12— Identification of items to be placed on the next meeting's agenda. To include an item
regarding planning and zoning commission contracts with the City. Continued discussion of
tabled items.
Item 13 -- Adiournment. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:21.
The foregoing minutes of the meeting of the Ethics Commission were approved on August 18, 2016, by the
Ethics Commission.
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