HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 03/09/2006 Page 1 of 2
MINUTES OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION
City of Corpus Christi, Texas 's
5:30 p.m., March 9, 2006 ;; • sip L110j
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ACM Conference Room — 5t" Floor ((� !' .;
City Hall — 1201 Leopard i 0
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At 5:45 p.m.,the following four (4) Commissioners were present: Fred Hale ;c Mid .
Cramer, Nick Adame and Linda Figueroa. _.
Since a quorum of five (5) Commissioners was not needed to view the Open Meetings
Act training video, Chairperson Haley suggested that those present view the video and
if a quorum was reached, the meeting would be called to order at a later time.
Within five (5) minutes after the video began, Rick Marcantonio arrived to view the Open
Meetings Act training video.
At 6:45 p.m., the meeting was called to Order and roll call was taken.
The members present were: Fred Haley, James R. Cramer, Linda Figueroa, Nick
Adame and Rick Marcantonio.
Excused absences were previously given to Joe Guzman, Harlan Heitkamp and Robert
N. Corrigan.
City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer was present.
Members absent were: Terry Carter.
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the December 8, 2005 meeting. Mr.
Marcantonio made the motion to approve the minutes and that motion was seconded by
Ms. Figueroa. The members unanimously approved the minutes.
The Commissioners discussed the Open Meetings Act training video. City Attorney
Fischer advised the Commissioners that upon receipt of an email sent to all members,
not to hit"Reply to all" since that could be considered a discussion by a quorum and fall
under the definition of a "meeting" under the Open Meetings Act.
City Attorney Fischer further advised the Commissioners that if an employee requested
that discussion regarding his/her personnel matter be conducted in a public meeting, it
can not be conducted in a closed session setting.
There was further discussion of the "walking quorum" and the Commissioners were
advised that they should be cautious when entering into discussions with other
Commissioners while in social settings.
The Ethics Commission then considered Agenda Item 4. City Attorney Fischer informed
the Commissioners that there was a hour long video training for the Public Information
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Act (PIA), but the statute allowed for a Public Information Coordinator to be appointed in
lieu of PIA training.
The City Council has adopted a Resolution appointing the City Secretary as the Public
Information Coordinator and it further authorized all City Boards and Commissions to
appoint the City Secretary the Public Information Coordinator for their Board or
Commission.
Vice-Chairperson Cramer made the motion appointing the City Secretary as Public
Information Coordinator for the Ethics Commission. The motion was seconded by Ms.
Figueroa and the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Fischer explained the handouts, which included updates to the
Commissioners on Local Government Code Chapter 171, Conflict of Interest and
Chapter 176, Conflicts Disclosure and the updated Code of Ethics Ordinance.
There was no public comment made at this meeting.
The Commission then discussed future agenda items. The Commission discussed that
there was no need to meet in April. The next meeting will be held on May 11, 2006.
If Financial Disclosure Forms have been forwarded by the City Secretary for review, the
Ethics Commission will review these forms at their May meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
red Haley
Chairperson