HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/02/10 Board of Ethics Minutes
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BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
February 10, 1997
City Attorney's Conference Room
3:45 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Schulman, Juan Gonzales, Chet DeVore,
Joanne Carson, Susan Herney and Jean Rogers
(arrived at 4:00 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
city Attorney John M. Kaheny
Toni McKean, Training Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m.
1. Roll Call
All members were present.
2. ADDroval of Minutes.
MSUC (DeVore/Carson) 5-0 to approve the minutes of January 13, 1997
with the following corrections:
Page 3, Paragraph 5: "Susan Herney wants to raise consciousness of
ethical issues and expectations for ethical behavior by City
employees and public officials."
Page 4, Paragraph 5 in Item 8, change the last sentence to be a
separate paragraph and read: "The Board has taken the position that
there should be a budget for staff support for the Ethics Program."
3. Oral Communications
None
4. Trainina Coordinator ReDort
Toni McKean reported the February 7, 1997 memo from John Goss was
distributed to All Department Managers regarding Council Directives
and the City Ethics Program.
Toni announced her upcoming San Diego State seminar on ethics
training for professional trainers and organizational development
people from the public and private sector.
Former Deputy city Clerk, vicki Soderquist, who works for the City
of Truckee, has requested information from the city and the
Josephson Institute regarding ethics.
Corrected
Board of Ethics Minutes
Meeting of 2/10/97
Page 2
Chair Schulman inquired if the annual b/c/c workshop has been
scheduled wherein the city Attorney gives a brief presentation on
conflict of interest, Brown Act, and FPPC. Attorney Kaheny
discussed the Briefing Book he developed for the Council and he
could prepare a condensed version for the b/c/c's.
There was nothing further to report regarding budgeting for the
Training Coordinator.
6. status of Vacant position.
Susan Herney noted her concerns regarding the delays in the process
to fill the vacancy that occurred September 1996.
Discussion ensued regarding the Maddy Act and the appointment
process for a member of the Board under the Municipal Code. The
city Attorney reviewed the ordinance and suggested letting the
Council know they have the obligation under the Code to forward the
list to the Judge via the Mayor. Attorney Kaheny stated a vacancy
is required to be posted within 20 days before or not later than
20 days after the vacancy occurs and you cannot make an appointment
unless you post the vacancy.
Chair Schulman questioned if Council has discretion in terms of
appointing someone or not appointing someone who has been approved
or recommended by the Judge? Attorney Kaheny said there is no
question that Council has that authority and you cannot delegate
the authority to the judicial branch which is what would occur if
you make the Judge's recommendations mandatory by ordinance.
Chair Schulman asked the City Attorney to contact the Mayor's
office expressing the concern of the Board regarding the status of
the vacant position.
5. Bob Leiter. Planninq Director. Development of Department Ethics
Code.
Bob Leiter stated he appreciated the invitation to appear before
the Board. His department is proud of the Quality of Worklife
Program and how it has evolved over the last few years to focus on
ethics and the department mission statement. It started out as
part of the citywide QWL Program, but focused on some fairly
specific employee workplace improvements. Every year the issue
statement is updated by their department committee to reflect goals
and items such as improved staff training, customer friendly
Board of Ethics Minutes
Meeting of 2/10/97
Page 3
counter, improved communication, interpersonal communications, and
professional ethics.
The Board thanked the Planning Director for attending the meeting.
7. Member's Comments.
Chair Schulman:
. reminded the Board members to return their Economic Interest
statements by the deadline
. there is no problem in renewing the membership in The
Josephson Institute
. discussed the "Campaign Finance Reformers have Created a 3-D
Program-Delusional, Dangerous and Dumb" article and a general
discussion regarding campaign contributions.
Susan Hernev:
. attended a seminar on Proposition 208 (Political Reform Act
Revision)
MSUC (DeVore/Herney) to schedule the next meeting on April 14, 1997
at 3:45 p.m. MSUC (Carson/DeVore) to adjourn the meeting at 5:30
p.m.
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