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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.09.17 BOE MinutesCity of Chula Vista Regular Board of Ethics Meeting MINUTES September 17, 2025, 5:15 p.m. City Hall, Bldg. A, Executive Conference Room #103 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA Present: Member Barragan, Member Torres, Vice Chair Hurst, and Chair Salas Absent: Member Gersten, Member Velissaropoulos 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 5:18 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Secretary Montalvo called the roll. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. ACTION ITEMS 4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes Moved by Member Barragan Seconded by Vice Chair Hurst Board to approve the minutes dated August 20, 2025. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Chair Salas, Member Torres, Vice Chair Hurst, and Member Barragan 2025-09-17 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes Result: Carried (4 to 0) 4.2 Written Communications Moved by Member Barragan Seconded by Member Torres To approve the excused absence for Board Member Velissaropoulos requesting an excused absence from the September 17, 2025, Board of Ethics meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Chair Salas, Member Torres, Vice Chair Hurst, and Member Barragan Result: Carried (4 to 0) 4.3 Discussion and Potential Action to Refer Ex Parte Communication Policy to City Staff for Review. City Attorney Verdugo shared that Member Gersten had an initial draft for review. There was an outstanding question of what the next steps would be. If the sub -committee wanted to refer it to the full committee for referral to our office, then we could review and provide formatting edits if necessary. The Board took action to put it on this meeting to determine if it is ready to be referred to our office for review. Moved by Vice Chair Hurst Seconded by Member Torres To refer the Ex Parte Communication Policy to City Staff for Review. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Chair Salas, Member Torres, Vice Chair Hurst, and Member Barragan Result: Carried (4 to 0) 5. PRESENTATION 5.1 Update from Lobbying Ordinance Ad Hoc Sub -Committee Robert spoke expressing a neutral position. 2 2025-09-17 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes Member Barragan shared that there are areas that need to be improved, such as formatting. City Attorney Verdugo to review whether the Enforcement Authority can be used to enforce the Lobbying Ordinance. Moved by Chair Salas Seconded by Member Barragan To add as an action item on the agenda at the next Board of Ethics Meeting, a discussion and potential action to refer the draft Lobbying Ordinance to City Staff for review. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Chair Salas, Member Torres, Vice Chair Hurst, and Member Barragan Result: Carried (4 to 0) 5.2 Update from Amendments to Code of Ethics Ad Hoc Sub -Committee Vice Chair Hurst shared that Member Velissaropoulos is still working on her items. We should have something to share by the next meeting. 5.3 Update from Campaign Contribution Enforcement Authority Selection Process Ad Hoc Sub -Committee Secretary Montalvo shared that the post has gone out. It is on the Board of Ethics website, the City website, and was emailed to firms that specialize in campaign finance, as well as those who were on the panel last time. We are still waiting for applications. Closing for the posting is on Friday, September 19, 2025. Once we get applications in, I will contact the sub -committee for the next steps. 6. STAFF COMMENTS Secretary Montalvo shared that we have scheduled all three applicants with the Special Board of Ethics meeting on October 13, 2025, at 4:30pm. I will make sure you are all aware of it. We had four applicants but one withdrew so we have three now. We have one opening. 7. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chair Salas shared that he is glad we are making headway. 3 2025-09-17 Board of Ethics Regular Meeting Minutes 8. BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS Member Torres commended Chair Salas on his first day. Member Barragan thanked Chair Salas for taking the lead. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Sydnie Montalvo, Board Secretary Sydnie Montalvo, Board Secretary 4