HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/11/18 Board of Ethics Minutes
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES OF A
BOARD of ETHICS MEETING
November 18, 1996
city Attorney's Conference Room
3:45 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Schulman, Joanne Carson, Jean Rogers
Juan Gonzales, chet DeVore and Susan Herney
(arrived 4:45 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
oTHERS PRESENT:
Deputy City Attorney Googins
The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m.
Roll Call
All members were present except Susan Herney who arrived at 4:45
p.m.
Approval of Minutes.
MSUC (Gonzales/Carson) to approve the minutes of october 21, 1996.
Oral Communications.
None
Anonvmous Statement Concerninq Alleqed Campaiqn Finance Violations.
The Board discussed the statement received. The point was made
that the statement was not signed or sworn as the Ethics Code
requires. The point was also made that the Board does not have
jurisdiction over candidates. Member Carson inquired as to
alternative enforcement mechanisms for campaign violations. Deputy
Attorney Googins reported on the enforcement powers of the FPPC,
the Attorney General and the District Attorney pursuant to state
laws and the Chula vista Municipal Code.
MSUC (Schulman/Rogers) to take no action regarding the statement.
Board Procedures for Initiation and Review of Complaints.
A question was asked if witnesses could be sworn in under oath. It
was Ruth Fritsch's opinion offered at the previous Board meeting
that they could.
Corrected
Board of Ethics Meeting
November 18, 1997
Page 2
Trainina Coordinator staff Support.
The members discussed the level of staff support they were
receiving from the Training Coordinator and previous presentations
on this subject given by City Manager Goss and Toni McKean.
Discussion focussed on the status of staff's implementation of an
ethics program for all City employees and officials. Chair
Schulman reported that the Board has taken an active role in seeing
that the program gets implemented following adoption by the City
Council of the Board's recommendations. He also reported he had
discussed with the Training Coordinator that a letter was prepared
for the city Manager to send to all department heads to advance the
program.
Member Devore questioned whether or not the City's charge to the
Board included such involvement. He referred to the governing
Chula vista Municipal Code provisions and the narrow definition of
the Board's role contained there.
Chair Schulman explained origin of training program and how he
believes the Board's role extends to all of the City to encourage
ethical conduct, even if only a limited group is governed by the
Ethics Code violation hearing process. He also indicated that the
city Council approved of employee level training.
A lengthy discussion ensued about the role of the Board. Varying
views of the Board's roles were discussed as were different ways to
seek input from the City Manager and/or guidance from the City
Council as to their desired/intended role for the Board. MSUC
(DeVore/Gonzales) to send a letter to the City Council asking for
direction. Members Schulman and Herney will draft the letter and
submit it to the Board for comments at the next meeting.
All other agenda matters were trailed to the next meeting.
Next meeting scheduled: Monday, December 9, 1996 at 3:45 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
C:\ethics\.inutes\11-18-96