HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 08/09/2001 •'
OCT 20 -6200.
MINUTES OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION\ CITY SEC�EIPRY'S ,�
City of Corpus Christi, Texas 0FFfCE v
5:30 p.m., August 9, 2001 �'�
ACM Conference Room - 5th Floor •7 oz 6
City Hall - 1201 Leopard
The members present were: Chair Garry Bradford, Fred Haley, Derrick Reaves, Raymond
Kiser, Craig Reynolds and Rick Fredrickson. Members Gloria Perez, Eduardo Hinojosa, and
Herbie Garcia, Jr. were absent. City Attorney Jimmy Bray was present.
The following absences were excused for this meeting: Gloria Perez(in New York on
behalf of City for meetings with bond rating agencies) and Herbie Garcia, Jr. (in Dallas on
business). Member Craig Reynold's absence at the last meeting was also excused (due to
recovery from surgery).
The Commission approved the minutes of its August 1, 2001 meeting as submitted.
The Commission conducted a public hearing on recommendations to change the ethics
ordinance.
Jack Gordy said it is unethical to violate the city charter, and the ethics code should
provide recourse.
Bill Kopecky said that while he understands there is room for interpretation of charter,
selective treatment leads to people ignoring the law, and if the charter cannot be applied to the
letter, it should be amended. He also stated that it is an ethical issue for council to delegate the
setting of a car allowance to the city manager.
Mary Beth Nelson said that only one person should be required to make a complaint,
there should be a strict regulation on using city property for campaigns, there should be a
stronger revolving-door rule, and there is a need for review of campaign reports.
John Bell said that the ethics code should not be expanded to cover areas already covered
by other laws, such as the Election Code and tax laws.
Commission members discussed the suggestions.
The Commission set the next meeting date for September 13, 2001 at 5:30 p.m.
The Chair requested public comment. Jack Gordy noted the commission's duty to
prepare and disseminate campaign reports. He said one report in particular needs to be looked at,
Councilmember's Scott's reimbursing city out of campaign funds for travel expenses to
Singapore and Denver. Mary Beth Nelson said there were other problems in the reports which
will be addressed with the State commission. Garry Bradford and Fred Haley asked for copies of
1 JRB0230.026
SCANNED
the reports. Bill Kopecky spoke about the time periods for filing campaign reports, and said the
city ethics code provision did not apply to reports of special purpose committees. Mary Beth
Nelson said the commission should look at regulating PACs.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Approved October 11, 2001
by E ics Commission
1!.J 45 .rI tea.
G Bray 'ord, Chair
1 JRB0230.026
I,
MEMORANDUM
To: Armando Chapa, City Secretary
From: Jimmy Bray, City Attorney
Subject : Ethics Commission Minutes
Date: October 11, 2001
Attached for your files are the originally executed minutes of the Ethics Commission for August 9,
2001.
SCANNED