HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/09/25 Board of Ethics Minutes
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF A
BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
September 25, 1995
City Attorney's Conference Room
3:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Susan Herney, Richard schulman, Billy Kelley,
Douglas Cochrane, Virgil Whitehead and Joanne
Carson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Harriet Acton
Bruce M. Boogaard, City Attorney
Candy Emerson, Director of Personnel
Lorraine Kraker, Secy. to City Attorney
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Herney at
3:35 p.m.
1. Roll Call.
Roll was called and all members were present except new member
Lionel McQuillon.
In accordance with Susan Herney' s suggestion, everyone present
briefly introduced themselves for the benefit of the new members.
2. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
MSUC (Carson/Whitehead) to nominate Susan Herney as Chairman and
Richard Schulman as Vice-Chairman.
3. Approval of Minutes.
MSUC (Schulman/Carson) to approve the minutes of September 11, 1995
with Members Cochrane and Whitehead abstaining.
8. Oral Communications.
Item 8 was moved forward on the agenda in order for Harriet Acton
to present a report. At the 9/11/95 meeting, the Chair was to
contact the Mayor to see if she wanted the Board to draft a letter
for her signature in connection with Recommendation No. 3 of the
Ethics Seminar Report. Ms. Acton stated she attempted to make an
appointment with Mayor Horton, and did have a conversation with her
today. The Mayor had no problem in sending the proposed letter,
but since it references the Council, she wanted to notify the
Council at their next meeting.
Board of Ethics
9-25-95 Minutes
Page 2
Candy Emerson stated she was present to respond to a request by the
Board for information and status of recommendations which were
approved by the Council for implementation.
Attorney Boogaard advised since this item was not on the agenda and
was not of an urgent nature, it should be discussed at a future
meeting.
The Board decided to schedule another meeting on October 2, 1995 at
4:15 p.m. It was suggested by Member Carson that the Board still
hold their meetings to the 1-1/2 hour limit.
4. Mission statement.
The Mission statement will be further discussed in a workshop on
October 2 following the item with the Director of Personnel.
5. Presentation to Leadership Chula vista about the Ethics
Proqram on October 31. 1995 at 8:00 a.m.
Chairman Herney reported she talked to Frank Scott and Tina
Williams regarding the curriculum for the 9/26/95 session which
deals with Local Government. The agenda is full for that session,
but they did agree to give the Board a 10-minute slot at 8:00 a.m.
on October 31. Chairman Herney asked who wished to represent the
Ethics Board. Richard Schulman and Toni McKean were asked to
represent the Board and Virgil Whitehead was asked to attend to
give support. Ms. Herney asked if they would attend and discuss
the concept of ethics in government and the Character Counts
Program in Chula vista.
MSUC (Carson/Cochrane) to have the secretary ask
represent the Board of Ethics at the Chamber
Leadership Chula vista Conference on October 31,
Richard Schulman and Virgil Whitehead also be there
and comments.
Toni McKean to
of Commerce's
1995 and have
to give support
6. Report from the citv Attornev of Repeal of Campaiqn
Contribution Ordinance.
Attorney Boogaard was unable to prepare a written report and gave
the members an overview of why he was seeking a recommendation from
the Board on the Campaign Contribution Ordinance.
Board of Ethics
9-25-95 Minutes
Page 3
Mr. Cochrane stated the independent expenditure committee (IEC)
appears to have been developed by someone to get around the
regulations and does not promote a level playing field.
Attorney Boogaard stated under state law, an IEC cannot be operated
at the behest of the candidate which encourages scheming and
unscrupulous activities.
Member Whitehead remarked that the ordinance as it relates to
contribution be eliminated, it's not a policeable item.
Mr. Schulman questioned if anyone had studied if there was a direct
correlation between dollars spent and being elected. Attorney
Boogaard replied no, but according to the disclosure statements
most serious contenders spent between $22,000-$30,000 for an
election. Susan Herney observed candidates use political
consultants who tend to get the hit pieces out at the last minute.
Discussion ensued regarding disclosure forms and how much money
comes in through IECs. It was decided to ask the City Clerk for
information on IECs formed in the last four years to see how much
has been expended and see if there is a problem or trend.
MS (Cochrane/Carson) for the city Attorney to compile a list of
dollars spent on IECs and see if there a trend for abuse and report
it to this Board. Motion and second withdrawn.
The city Attorney will provide copies of the IEC files to see
whether an analysis would be fruitful.
Member Schulman mentioned trying to establish a regular meeting day
and time and it was determined Mondays were a good day for
everyone.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. to their next meeting scheduled
for Monday, October 2, 1995 at 4:15 p.m.
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Lorraine Kraker
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