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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/03/25 Board of Ethics Minutes CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA MINUTES OF A BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING March 25, 1996 City Attorney's Conference Room 4:15 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Herney, Richard Schulman, Joanne Carson, and Billy Kelley MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Bruce Boogaard, city Attorney Lorraine Kraker, Secy. to city Attorney Toni McKean, Training Coordinator The meeting was called to order by Chair Herney at 4:15 p.m. 1. Oral Communications. None. 2. Roll Call. Roll was called and all members were present. 3. Approval of Minutes from Februarv 1. 1996. MSUC (Schulman/Carson) to approve the minutes of February 1, 1996 with the following change: Change the word "quantified" on Page 2, Paragraph 4 to "handled within the employee's department". 4. Discussion on Ethics Presentation and One-Liners. The One-Liners were organized and distributed by Toni McKean. The Board reviewed them and decided to eliminate Nos. 80, 68 and 78. Richard Schulman suggested utilizing ones that are City of Chula vista specific rather than general. It was left to Jeri Gulbransen and Toni McKean's discretion to select the ones to be used. Ms. McKean reported she hoped to reschedule the Ethics presentation to June. Joanne Carson stated the week of June 14 would be bad for the school districts due to graduation and the last week of school. Toni will select a date and hold the training from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Member Schulman inquired if the department heads submitted their Code of Ethics which were due in February. Toni stated many of the departments had and they are available for any of the members wishing to review them. Toni mentioned the Planning Department scheduled a workshop on 3/29/96 at the Otay Ranch office wherein the entire department will participate in a group discussion about ethics and values. Richard Schulman expressed interest in attending. Board of Ethics 3-25-96 Minutes Page 2 It was noted we Union/Tribune, activities. might wish to contact the religious editor at the Sandi Dolbee, to keep her apprised of our 7. Renewal of Membership in the Josephson Institute of Ethics. The Board's membership will expire in May, 1996. Discussion ensued whether to renew the membership in the Chair's name at a cost of $40 vs. an institutional membership for $65. Toni was directed to see if the Library is a member. It was noted that the Library would have public access to the Internet and the publication might be available on the Internet. It was decided to continue the item until next month's agenda. 8. Kids for Character Video. Toni McKean agreed to send the information to the Children's Librarian and she felt it was a good probability one of the branches would set it up. Susan Herney suggesting using part of the video as an introduction to the workshop in June and sending flyers to the elementary school district and Boys & Girls Club. 5. Status of Vacancies on Board of Ethics. Susan Herney noted the minutes of the City Council Subcommittee on Board, Commission and Committee Attendance wherein it was concluded Virgil Whitehead's request for a leave of absence could create a burden and a hardship. It was suggested Mr. Whitehead be appointed to the first opening when he returns. Member Kelley responded he spoke to Mr. Whitehead recently who indicated his employment was cut short and he desired to return to the Board. Chairman Herney will contact Mr. Whitehead requesting he communicate in writing with the Council as soon as possible. The Board received copies of the applicants wishing to serve on the Board of Ethics. It was noted Harriet Acton applied, but the City Attorney ruled in accordance with S602 of the Charter, she would be ineligible for reappointment for a period of two years. The consensus of the Board was to have Lorraine contact the Presiding Judge to request that he make a 1-2-3 recommendation to the Council for appointment. If Mr. Whitehead were to be reactivated by the Council, the third recommended candidate could be kept in reserve for a future vacancy. 6. Discussion of 1996-97 Budqet. The Board reviewed the current year budget which shows a deficit in the overtime account. Chair Herney suggested the secretary prorate the expenditures to date and formulate the budget for next fiscal year. MSUC (Schulman/Carson) to submit the budget as recalculated. If 10% cuts are necessary, the overtime could be cut with the Board of Ethics 3-25-96 Minutes Page 3 intent of having meetings earlier in the day to avoid the need for overtime. 9. Member's Comments. Joanne Carson commented it would be nice to save money on overtime. Richard Schulman inquired if the prospective applicants were being made aware of the time the Board meets. 10. Ethics Ordinance Amendment. Attorney Boogaard recommended articulating the Board's duties which are assigned by the ordinance in order to clear up ambiguities. The "freshness" issue or the time within which to conduct an investigation is also a factor. Ater a brief discussion, it was decided to continue this matter until the next meeting wherein a full Board will be present to review the changes. MSUC (Schulman/Carson) to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m. to the next meeting schuduled for April 29, 1996 at 3:45 p.m. J?~LL.~ Lorraine A. Kraker C:\ethics\.inutes\3-25-96