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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/04/14 Board of Ethics Minutes CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA MINUTES OF A BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING April 14, 1997 city Attorney's Conference Room 3:45 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Schulman, Ricardo Gibert, Joanne Carson, Susan Herney, Jean Rogers and Chet DeVore (arrived at 4:20 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT: Juan Gonzales OTHERS PRESENT: Asst. City Attorney Ruth M. Fritsch Toni McKean, Training Coordinator Ken Larsen, Director of Building & Housing The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. 1. Roll Call All members were present except Juan Gonzales, who requested to be excused. 2. Approval of Minutes. MSUC (CarsonjHerney) to approve the minutes of February 10, 1997 with the following correction: Page 2, Item No.6, the first two sentences should read: Susan Herney noted her concerns regarding the delays in the process to fill the vacancy that occurred September 1996. 3. Oral Communications None 4. Introduction of Ricardo Gibert. Mr. Gibert stated he is a 25-year resident of Chula vista. He graduated from college with a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He has previously worked in Juvenile Hall and is a volunteer mediator and currently works as a District Representative for Steve Peace. His desire to serve on this Board results from his wanting to get directly involved with his City as a volunteer. 5. Department Heads' Response to citv Manaqer Letter and 6. Traininq Coordinator Report Board of Ethics Minutes April 14, 1997 Page 2 Toni McKean distributed Board of Ethics Progress Report of April 1997. This provided an opportunity for the Chair and Susan Herney to give some of the history of the Board to the new member. The Chair explained the Board has taken a proactive stance, asking Departments to be more active in training employees in having an active ethics awareness. Ms. Herney stated the City Council committed to implement the Ethics Program in the City following Ms. McKean's training by the Josephson Institute. Toni's role, she explained, is in support of the program, to implement Council policy, not to be a staff person to the Commission. Toni noted there would be an Ethics Presentation for all Chairs and Co-Chairs of city Boards and Commissions on 6/26/97 and also 7/16/97 for new board/commission members. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Chair Schulman stated his hope was all Board of Ethics members could attend at least one of the sessions. Chair further explained to the new member that in september 1995 Council approved the Board's recommendations that each department submit a Mission Statement and Code of Ethics. The Board recommended to the City Manager that this be accomplished. Some departments responded right away. Finally in December 1996, Ms. McKean sent a letter to the City Manager with a survey form for Departments asking if they needed assistance. Some departments still have not responded. The Chair observed it is reasonable to expect that Department Heads should not have to be called to be reminded. Mr. Schulman explained to Mr. Gibert that the purpose of the exercise is to raise the consciousness level when making decisions to keep ethical considerations in mind. Toni McKean discussed her Ethics in the Workplace Workshop/Lecture. MSUC (Carson/Herney) to accept Ms. McKean's report. 7. Presentation bv Ken Larsen. Director of Buildinq and Housinq. (Member Devore arrived). Director of Building and Housing. Ken Larsen, spoke about Ethics in the Building Department. He led the Board through an exercise where the group was asked to answer questions about the ethics of public officials. The Director then told the group, as to each question, what the response of the survey group had been. At the end of Mr. Larson's presentation, the Chair asked him if he had recommendations for the Commission. Mr. Larsen suggested a newsletter, on a semi-annual basis, in order to make the Board's presence known. Board of Ethics Minutes Meeting of 4/14/97 Page 3 8. Response from citv Manaqer re Budqet Planninq FY 1997-98. Chair Schulman stated the city Manager's letter, attached to the agenda, was not responsive to the Board's concerns. The City Manager stated that the City could not afford to have staff assigned to boards and commissions, but Commission was not asking for that. Susan Herney said that Toni is supposed to execute the Ethics Policy that the Council itself adopted, not to provide staff support for the board. MSUC (Herney/carson) that Chair respond to city Manager's memo to clarify the Board's focus, consistent with Mr. Herney's comments. Mr. Schulman noted he was sensitive to the lack of raises for City staff and that the budget is tight. 9. Member's Comments. Chair Schulman noted that he gave a presentation to Coronado Senior citizen Center re the Ethics Program and was asked to return to speak again. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. to the next meeting date of June 9, 1997 if it is determined that a meeting is necessary. R:i~i~ C:\ethics\minutes\4-14-97