HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Ethics Commission - 04/08/1999 Minutes of the Ethics Commission Meeting
City of Corpus Christi, Texas
5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 8, 1999
ACM Conference Room - Fifth Floor
City Hall - 1201 Leopard
The following members were present: Augustin Rivera Jr., Chairperson, Garry Bradford, Vice
Chairperson, Cecil Henry, Steven Fieldcamp, J. Allen Lowe, Connie Munoz. Eduardo Hinojosa,
Frank Tompkins, II, and David Longoria, were absent. Assistant City Attorney Jay Reining was
present.
The March 11, 1999, minutes were approved as submitted. Commissioner Munoz abstained since
she had missed the prior meeting.
The Commission took up Agenda Item 3, Consideration of City Ethics Ordinance, Ethics
Commission procedures and practices, and possible changes thereto. The Commission asked that
the City Attorney determine whether the members of the new City Council had any feedback on
what changes they felt should be made to the ordinance, and Commission's procedures and
practices, and whether the Commission should propose rules to regulate lobbyists. The
Commission had a brief discussion of the issue of excused absences, but took no action.
The Commission took up Agenda Item 4, review statements and reports filed with City.
Commissioner Henry gave a brief report that he had reviewed the financial statements filed by
the candidates for City Council on March 26, 1999. The Commission then had a discussion of
what the Commission's actual review function, if any, should be, and what product should come
out of their review. They also speculated on the potential penalties for a candidate who either
failed to provide or provided a fraudulent report, and what a candidate was entitled to do with
any surplus campaign contributions at the end of the election. Assistant City Attorney Reining
pointed out Section 2-346, which provides for forfeiture of office. They requested an opinion
from the City Attorney on the following issues: What laws govern the filing of financial
statements? What are the penalties for violating the various provisions of law? What is a
candidate entitled to do with any surplus campaign funds? What is the Commission's role in
uncovering violations of the financial statement laws? How far can the Commission take a
violation if uncovered. The Commission agreed that if it did not have any true function and
could not act on a violation,they did not believe they should be reviewing the financial
statements.
Since the City Attorney, Jimmy Bray was absent,the Commission postponed Agenda Item 5,
review City Attorney opinions, until the next meeting.
The Commission scheduled its next meeting for May 13, 1999,the second Thursday in the
month.
Since no members of the public were present,the Commission did not receive any public
comment.
R91804A1.099 SCANNED
r
The Commission returned to its discussion of Agenda Item 3. Commissioner Munoz questioned
whether the Commission should limit public comment, like the City Council, to three minutes
each. Commissioner Henry raised the issue whether public comment should be allowed on each
agenda item, and then only receive public comment at the end on other issues. Chairman Rivera
stated a preference for receiving all public comments at the end. He stated that since the
Commission's function was more adjudicatory, rather than advisory, comment was best left to
the end. He questioned whether public input on specific cases was appropriate.
Commissioner Henry requested that the City Attorney provide the Commission with clean,
double spaced drafts of the current code of ethics, Commission rules, and financial disclosure
rules, including the proposed changes being recommended by this Commission for their review.
Commissioner Munoz requested a copy of the booklet handed out to the Civil Service
Commission, which has their rules. She said we may want to adopt that model.
Chairman Rivera asked for an opinion from the City Attorney on what could be done to
reorganize and renumber the current ordinance, rules, etc., so they would be easier to use and
reference.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Approved April 22, 1999, by Ethics Commission
ALa —
Aug 41 Rivera, Jr., Chairp 1 son
R91804A1.099
2