HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/07/24 Board of Ethics Minutes
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF A
BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
July 24, 1995
city Attorney's Conference Room
4:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Harriet Acton, Susan Herney, Joanne Carson,
Richard Schulman, Jerry McNutt and Billy
Kelley (arrived 4:20 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Martha Villegas (excused)
STAFF PRESENT:
Bruce M. Boogaard, City Attorney
Lorraine Kraker, Secy. to City Attorney
OTHERS PRESENT:
Councilman Scott Alevy
Michael Bouse, City of National City
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Acton at 4:00 p.m.
Roll was called and all members were present except Martha Villegas
who was excused.
MSUC (McNutt/Schulman) to approve the minutes of July 17, 1995.
Richard Schulman introduced Michael Bouse, who is the Building and
Safety Director for National City, and is taking an ethics course
and wished to observe today's meeting.
Aqenda Item No. 3 - Mavor Horton -Mission Statement.
Mayor Horton is on vacation and Councilman Scott Alevy is
representing the Council.
Member Schulman stated it is the interest of the Board to have a
clear concept of the city Council's view of the Ethics Program in
order to build on the investment that has been made.
Member Carson expressed concern about how the City Council would
approach future b/c/c training, would it be required?
Chairman
involving
be split
Training,
Acton mentioned the Council Agenda item for 7/25/95
Toni McKean's position wherein her proposed duties will
between the Library, Volunteer Program and Ethics
as needed.
councilman Alevy noted he is the newest member of Council and has
no personal agendas. He was raised to live a life based on ethics
and the whole subject of ethics is important to him. While he
enjoyed the Josephson training, he would have liked to have more
specific concerns addressed and would like to see more attendance
Board of Ethics
7-24-95 Minutes
Page 2
at Brown Act training. He expressed the thought that each
commissioner should be required to go to such training which could
be held a couple of times a year with both an evening and day
session available. If the Board were to bring forward a proposal
to Council, he would champion it. He would like to see ethics
standards more accentuated.
The Training Coordinator position will be discussed tomorrow
evening and he wanted the Board to know it is not a matter of
personalities. Council has had to made tough decisions to minimize
employee cuts. He has found Toni McKean to be personable,
knowledgeable and well-informed.
Susan Herney reported in the Board's original proposal in December
1994, it was divided into three parts:
1.
2.
3 .
The city Attorney's presentation at
Full day training workshop.
Secure specialized training in order
of refresher training i furnish
information as new ethics questions
with other agencies.
the b/c/c meeting.
to: provide a wide range
research and develop
are raised; and network
Harriet Acton commented in the eight years she has served on the
Board, the ethics message is getting better, but the lack of
enthusiasm generally for this Board and its ideas and goals should
be more forthcoming and not have to be begged for. Some of the
employees seem to feel that this is the Commission that should
never be and it's apparent in their attitude and body language.
Jerry McNutt stated that management sends a message to the lower
employees.
Joanne Carson pointed out the Ethics ordinance was adopted by
another Counci I and there is no ownership of the present City
Council as to how they feel.
Scott Alevy noted he always looks at the b/c/c recommendation on
agenda statements because he feels it is a grass roots form of
government which is untainted in its views.
Billy Kelley reported his purpose in requesting the Mayor's
presence was to (1) have City council identify a mission statement
to this Board with respect to guidelines and direction of where the
City council is going because if b/c/c's make recommendations that
are not compatible with Council's ideas, the Board is wasting their
time (2) identify a person of responsibility for training and
insure training is implemented for b/c/c's.
Board of Ethics
7-24-95 Minutes
Page 3
Councilman Alevy remarked the Board made valid points and he
encouraged them to: (1) write a concise mission statement (2)
submit it directly to the Mayor and (3) suggest every member of the
city staff, b/c/c's and City Council should be required to attend
training every year or two. It could be a condition of employment
or for membership on a b/c/c.
The consensus was to make training avai lable to the Board of
Education, PTA Board, hold training classes, create a core of peer
instructors and involve kids at the school level.
Mr. Alevy stated we can become known as an ethical city which can
be a positive thing wherein ethics is the rule not the exception.
Billy Kelley questioned who has the power to make it happen. The
city Attorney remarked the City Manager implemented Council policy.
The Board thanked Councilman Alevy for taking the time to come to
its meeting and he appreciated being able to share ideas with the
members.
Richard Schulman observed it would be a good idea for the Board to
approach Council in steps by first working on a mission statement
and then the report on the Ethics Awareness Seminar on June 17,
1995.
MSUC (Carson/Schulman) to adjourn the meeting at 5:15 p.m. to their
next meeting scheduled for Monday, August 14, 1995 at 3:30 p.m.
cf?~~ ii~A{/v
Lorraine Krake~
C:\ethics\minutes\7-24.95