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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 12/08/2005 Page 1 of 2 MINUTES OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION City of Corpus Christi, Texas 5:30 p.m., December 8, 2005 ACM Conference Room — 5th Floor City Hall — 1201 Leopard The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Fred Haley at 5:37 p.m. and roll call was taken. The members present were: Fred Haley, James R. Cramer, Linda Figueroa, Joe Guzman, Harlan Heitkamp and Rick Marcantonio. City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer was present. Members absent were: Nick Adame, Terry Carter and Robert N. Corrigan. The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the September 8, 2005 meeting and the members unanimously approved the minutes. Ms. Fischer distributed the paperweight gifts from the Reception for Board and Commission members to Commissioners Cramer, Guzman, Heitkamp and Marcantonio. City Attorney Fischer distributed various documents relating to HB 914 including the TML Legislative Update, Local Government Code Chapter 176, the Nepotism Chart, TML summary of bill, and the Conflicts Disclosure Statement, the Vendor Conflict of Interest Questionnaire and the City of Corpus Christi Disclosure of Interest form. It was noted that many provisions in the City's form are stricter than the new state law requirements and that these Ethics Commission forms were required to be filed even though City forms may require same information. Ms. Fischer advised the Commission of a meeting that took place on Wednesday between Legal Staff Members and other city employees who will be impacted by this new law. The goal is to discuss ways that City Staff could educate the Local Government Officers and Vendors about their responsibilities described in this new law. The Commission discussed various scenarios and how the new law would impact those situations. After further discussion, regarding the potential perception of impropriety, it was determined that there were vehicles in place to prevent impropriety from taking place. Upon completion of discussion of HB 914, it was concluded that the Commission would revisit this issue as a future agenda item in 6 months and decide if they wanted to make a recommendation to the City Council to include provisions identified in Sec.176.005(a). SCANNED - Page 2 of 2 Ms. Fischer also advised the Commission that she expected to receive an update from TML that included additional guidance as to how Cities comply with HB 914 (LGC Chapter 176) Commissioners Cramer and Marcantonio requested to be excused from the January, 12, 2006 meeting. Commissioners approved said excused absences. There was no public comment made at this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. Fred Haley / Chairperson 1