HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 02/13/2008 NI3�567 s
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MINUTES OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION vC/i;ep„`D�
City of Corpus Christi, Texas N s�^ �, e' . Erl)
5:30 p.m., February 13, 2008 `-� C'vC�4'`�
ACM Conference Room — 5th Floor ‘./
City Hall - 1201 Leopard zzLz
At 5:45 p.m., the meeting was called to Order by Chairperson Cramer and roll call was
taken.
The members present were: James R. .Cramer, Robert N. Corrigan, Joseph Guzman,
Laura Hebert and Harlan Heitkamp.
Members not present were Dr. Nick Adame, Miguel R. Carranco, Linda Figueroa and
Rick Marcantonio.
No members will be charged with an absence since this was a specially called meeting,
not held on the regular meeting date, in order to avoid holding a meeting on Valentine's
Day.
City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer was present and Senior Assistant City Attorney Lisa
Aguilar was also present.
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the January .10, 2008 meeting and the
minutes were amended to add "Hebert and Dr. Nick Adame” to the sentence identifying
the members present. The amended minutes were approved unanimously.
The City Attorney distributed the Draft Ordinance amending the Ethics Ordinance to
allow City of Corpus Christi Police Officers, Airport Public Safety Officers, Fire Fighters
and Municipal Court Marshals to wear City-issued uniforms, badges, other uniform attire
and city-issued radios while on approved off-duty, law enforcement or fire-watch
employment.
The following City employees were present to discuss the amendment to the Ordinance:
Richard Hooks, Bryan Smith, John Hyland, Rene Mendiola and Cleo Rodriguez.
Chief Smith advised the Commission that the proposed Ordinancewas consistent with
the standards of the law enforcement profession and vital to law enforcement function.
He has no problem with the proposed Ordinance.
Chief Hooks stated that Fire Department employees are called to work at the American
Bank Center and also volunteer and he supported the change.
Rene Mendiola advised the Commission thatthe additional is positive, since the
Marshals work along side the CCPD and that the use is limited to approved outside
employment.
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Chief Hyland stated that the public safety departments work together and this change is
good for morale, networking and is a vital function to the community.
Chairperson Cramer noted that it adds a visibility factor that offers protection and is an
additional way departments can repel crime.
Commissioner Corrigan asked if the Police Officers traditionally have worn uniforms
while on approved off-duty assignments and if so, were the other departments
requesting that a level playing field be created?
Chief Smith stated that is true.
It was also asked who approves the overtime. Each department head noted that he
approves the overtime for his own department.
A motion was made to approve the Amendment to the Ordinance and forward it to City
Council for their consideration. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Chairperson Cramer shared various newspaper articles relating to Ethics Commissions,
including an article describing campaign funds being used for .mileage by Texas
Supreme Court Justice David Medina and various fines imposed upon Seaman and
Garcia for finance violations.
There was no public comment made at this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
W,d&
Jam-s R. Cramer
Cha rperson