HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-9-17 BOE Agenda Package
Date:Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time:5:15 p.m.
Location:City Hall, Bldg. A, Executive Conference Room #103
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA
Board of Ethics Regular Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________
In-Person Public Comments: Join us for the Board of Ethics meeting at the time and location specified
on this agenda to make your comments. Each person will be allotted three minutes to address the
Commission.
Electronic Public Comments: At www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting and click
on the comment bubble icon. Select the item and click on "Leave Comment." The deadline to submit e-
comments or any comments emailed to BOE@chulavistaca.gov will be noon on the day of the
meeting.
Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request modifications or accommodations in
order to access and/or participate in a Board of Ethics meeting by contacting the board staff at
BOE@chulavistaca.gov (California Relay Service is available for the hearing impaired by dialing 711)
at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
Board Members: Barragan, Gersten, Torres, Velissaropoulos, Vice-Chair Hurst, and
Chair Salas
3.PUBLIC COMMENTS
Persons may address the Board on any subject matter within the Board’s jurisdiction
that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the Board
from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if
appropriate, the Board may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the
matter to staff. If you wish to comment, please submit comments electronically at:
www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings or submit an electronic comment per the
instructions on page one of this agenda.
4.ACTION ITEMS
The Item(s) listed in this section of the agenda will be considered individually by the
Board and are expected to elicit discussion and deliberation. If you wish to comment
on one of these items, you may do so at www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings or
submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda.
4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes 4
Recommended Action:
Board to approve the minutes dated August 20, 2025.
4.2 Written Communications 8
Communication from Board Member Velissaropoulos requesting an excused
absence from the September 17, 2025, Board of Ethics meeting.
4.3 Discussion and Potential Action to Refer Ex Parte Communication Policy to
City Staff for Review.
Ad Hoc Sub-Committee consists of Member William Gersten, Member Jose
Torres, and Chair Bobby Ray Salas.
5.PRESENTATION
The following item(s) will be presentations given to the Board. Action on these
item(s) is typically limited to the Board receiving the presentation and providing
direction or feedback to staff, as appropriate. If you wish to speak on an item, please
fill out a “Request to speak” form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting
or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda.
5.1 Update from Lobbying Ordinance Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Consists of Chair Bobby Ray Salas, Vice Chair Leslie Hurst, and Member
Isidro Barragan.
City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda Page 2 of 8
5.2 Update from Amendments to Code of Ethics Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Consists of Vice Chair Leslie Hurst and Member Alexia Velissaropoulos.
5.3 Update from Campaign Contribution Enforcement Authority Selection
Process Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Consists of Chair Bobby Ray Salas, Member William Gersten, and Member
Alexia Velissaropoulos.
6.STAFF COMMENTS
7.CHAIR'S COMMENTS
8.BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS
9.ADJOURNMENT
to the regular meeting on October 15, 2025, at 5:15 p.m.
Materials provided to the Board of Ethics related to any open-session item on this
agenda are available for public review by contacting the City Attorney's Office at
BOE@chulavistaca.gov.
Sign up at www.chulavistaca.gov/residents/enotification to receive email notifications
when agendas are published online.
City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda Page 3 of 8
City of Chula Vista
Regular Board of Ethics Meeting
MINUTES
August 20, 2025, 5:15 p.m.
City Hall, Bldg. A, Executive Conference Room #103
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA
Present: Member Gersten, Member Salas, Member Torres, Member
Velissaropoulos, Vice Chair Hurst, and Chair Barragan
Also Present: City Attorney Verdugo, Board Secretary Montalvo
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Board of Ethics of the City of Chula Vista was called to
order at 5:17 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Montalvo called the roll.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert spoke in support of various topics.
4. ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes
Moved by Member Gersten
Seconded by Member Velissaropoulos
Board to approve the minutes dated July 16, 2025.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (6): Member Gersten, Member Salas, Member Torres, Member
Velissaropoulos, Vice Chair Hurst, and Chair Barragan
Page 4 of 8
City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda
2025-08-20 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes
2
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
4.2 Election of Chair and Vice Chair for Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026
Chair Barragan shared that he was no longer interested in being Chair.
Member Velissaropoulos shared that she is not interested in being Chair.
A motion was made by Chair Barragan and a second by Vice-Chair Hurst
to nominate Member Hurst as Chair. A substitute motion was made by
Member Gersten and a second by Member Torres to nominate Member
Ray Salas as Chair. As the substitute motion passed, the original motion
was defeated.
Moved by Member Gersten
Seconded by Member Torres
Nominate Member Ray Salas to be Chair for fiscal year 2025-2026
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (4): Member Gersten, Member Torres, Member Velissaropoulos, and
Chair Barragan
Abstain (2): Member Salas, and Vice Chair Hurst
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
Moved by Chair Barragan
Seconded by Member Torres
Nominate Member Hurst to be Vice-Chair for fiscal year 2025-2026
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (6): Member Gersten, Member Salas, Member Torres, Member
Velissaropoulos, Vice Chair Hurst, and Chair Barragan
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
5. PRESENTATION
5.1 Update from Lobbying Ordinance Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Robert spoke expressing a neutral position.
Chair Barragan provided a draft comparison of concepts for review.
Page 5 of 8
City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda
2025-08-20 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes
3
Vice Chair Hurst shared that the document would need a conflict of
interest review before the final draft is shared with the public.
City Attorney Verdugo shared that the Enforcement Authority refers to
outside counsel.
5.2 Update from Ex Parte Communication Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Member Gersten shared an initial draft for review. There is an outstanding
question of whether it should be an ordinance or a policy.
Chair Barragan asked a clarifying question on who the Ex Parte
Communication would apply to. Member Gersten shared that it would be
limited to decision makers.
City Attorney Vedugo shared that the next step would be a review by the
full Board of Ethics. The City Attorney's Office will assist with review and
formatting.
Moved by Member Salas
Seconded by Member Gersten
To add as an action item on the agenda at the next Board of Ethics
Meeting, a discussion and potential action to refer Ex Parte
Communication Policy to City Staff for review.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (6): Member Gersten, Member Salas, Member Torres, Member
Velissaropoulos, Vice Chair Hurst, and Chair Barragan
Result: Carried (6 to 0)
5.3 Update from Amendments to Code of Ethics Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Member Velissaropoulos shared that they are working on making changes
to the complaint procedure to give the Board of Ethics subpoena power.
This will allow there to be penalties for disobedience. We are also looking
at amendments to the complaint procedure.
5.4 Update from Campaign Contribution Enforcement Authority
Selection Process Ad Hoc Sub-Committee
Secretary Montalvo shared that the job solicitation is being posted on the
website. It includes the scope of work and additional details as requested.
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City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda
2025-08-20 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes
4
We are also sending it out to previous Enforcement Authority attorneys as
well as sharing it with firms that specialize in campaign issues.
6. STAFF COMMENTS
City Attorney Verdugo thanked Chair Barragan for his work.
7. CHAIR'S COMMENTS
Chair Barragan shared that today is my last day in this seat. Thank you for your
support.
Vice Chair Hurst thanked Chair Barragan for his patience.
8. BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS
Member Torres shared that Chair Barragan did a great job as Chair.
Member Salas shared that it has been a pleasure having Member Barragan as
Chair.
Member Gersten ditto what everyone else shared.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Sydnie Montalvo, Board Secretary
_________________________
Sydnie Montalvo, Board Secretary
Page 7 of 8
City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda
Request for Excused Absence Form – 6/19
REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE
City of Chula Vista Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Absence: _________________________________
Board/Commission/Committee: _________________________________________________________________________________
Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.25.110 (C) allows board/commission/committee members, by a
majority vote, to excuse a fellow board, commission, or committee member’s absence from a meeting for any
of the reasons listed below. A member who is absent from three consecutive, regular meetings will be
deemed to have vacated his or her membership, unless the member’s absence is excused by a
majority vote of the other members. An absence is only recorded as “excused” upon receipt of a member’s
request and majority vote of the board/commission/committee to excuse the absence. Accordingly, if you
have been absent from a regular meeting, please complete and submit this form to the chair or secretary.
Please indicate the reason for the absence:
1. Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend of the member;
2. Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of the member at a meeting;
3. Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was provided to the respective board
or commission in advance of the meeting;
4. Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony, wedding, or other similarly
significant event;
5. Unexpected, emergency situation that prohibits the member’s attendance; or
6. Other reason for which the member has given notice to the secretary of his or her unavailability at
least seven days in advance of the meeting.
OR
The absence was not for any of the above-listed reasons. I understand that the absence will be recorded
as unexcused.
I certify the reason for the absence indicated above is true and correct.
Member’s Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________
If completed by secretary or staff to board/commission/committee:
Completed on member’s behalf by: _____________________________, per member’s Verbal Written request
on: _________________.
(date)
(secretary/liaison’s name) 9/11/2025
9/17/2025
Board of Ethics
Sydnie Montalvo
Alexia Velissaropoulos
4
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City of Chula Vista Board of Ethics
September 17, 2025 Agenda