Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 09/06/2007 • C Cc i ice)Y `4u' -^ 4\9- 1 ,9 MINUTES OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION City of Corpus Christi, Texas SEr 2007 5:30 p.m., September 6, 2007 - I_ C .IV D c` ACM Conference Room — 5th Floor CITY SECRETARY'S %OFFICE l City Hall — 1201 Leopard oFFirE At 5:33 p.m., the meeting was called to Order by Chairperson Cramer and roll call was taken. The members present were: James R. Cramer, Harlan Heitkamp, Robert N. Corrigan, John de Montel, Joseph Guzman and Linda Figueroa. Absent was Dr. Nick Adame. An excused absence was previously requested by Mike Carranco and Rick Marcantonio. City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer was present. The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the August 9, 2007 meeting. The members unanimously approved the minutes of August 9, 2007. The Commission discussed re-appointments and appointments of members John de, Montel, Rick Marcantonio and Robert N. Corrigan, whose terms were to expire. Mr. Corrigan and Mr. Marcantonio had communicated that they wish to be considered for re-appointment to the Ethics Commission. Mr. John de Montel advised that he is not seeking re-appointment. Members could not immediately think of any recommendations on a vacancy, but agreed to contact City Attorney Fischer if they had any recommendation for the Ethics Commission vacancy. Members discussed activities and reviews conducted over the last year and the improvements that have been made to the report review process. There was a unanimous desire to have more duties to consider. City Attorney Fischer advised the Commission that they could review and consider changes to the City's Ethics Ordinance. Chairman Cramer discussed publications and matters related to the Ethics Commission and their activities. First he spoke about a newspaper article involving the Bexar County Sheriff, who resigned after it was revealed that he had taken a Costa Rica trip paid for by a company who received a $2 million Bexar County jail contract. Chairman Cramer then read to the Commission an anonymous document regarding Priscilla Leal that was addressed to the Chairman of the Ethics Commission. The SCANNED members asked if any investigation was done to determine whether the information in the document was accurate. Attorney Fischer advised that because the Ethics Ordinance Section 2-330 requires the receipt of a sworn complaint of any five (5) people filed with the City Secretary's office or the referral of a complaint by majority vote of all council members, the Ethics Commission.does not have authority to consider possible violations described in an anonymous document. The-Commissioners-unanimously approved a motion-to forwardpthe anonymous cdoc mu ent to.:MayorGarrett, as the=presiding officer of=the=City-Council-andItheiCity, Secretaiy7 There was no public comment made at this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. James R. Cramer Chairperson CONFLICT OF INTEREST Violation of City Charter & Ethics Code by Priscilla Leal, Council Mem- ber, District Three, City of Corpus Christi "During Ms. Leal's tenure with the City of Corpus Christi, she was a proponent against discrimination in the workplace and brought to light many other important issues such as governmental waste and.abuse. She was instrumental in a six year project to bring the United Steel Workers to Texas to represent municipal employees and organize unions throughout the State of Texas. As a result of her leadership efforts, there are currently United Steel Worker Unions representing municipal employees in such cities as Corpus Christi, Laredo, Dallas and many other cities." Source: http://www.priscillaforcc.com/index_files/page0001.htm Continuing through the present time, August of 2007, Priscilla Leal continues to function as an officer, labor organizer and employee representative of the Corpus Christi Association of City Employees / United Steelworkers of America Local 9474. Such action, taken under the guise of functioning as a Member of the City Council, constitutes a major violation of the City Charter and Ethics Codes with respect to "Conflict of Interest" provisions. Her engagement in an official capacity with the USW has been confirmed with both Regional & National offices of the union. Priscilla Leal is the designated "employee representative".in ongoing disciplinary and legal actions involving Classified City Employees (e.g. Animal Control, Solid Waste Services, General Services Departments). As such, due to the confrontational and libelous character of her actions as a representative, she is not acting in the "best interests of the City" as required by Charter & Code of Ordnances. Secondly, in her quest to receive approval for union dues check-off by CCACE members, she is campaigning for action which she will receive direct financial benefit as an agent of USW Local 9474.