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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/12/01 Board of Ethics Minutes Corrected 1/12/98 CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA MINUTES OF A BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING December 1, 1997 City Attorney's Conference Room 3:45 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Carson, Gonzales Schulman, Ricardo Gibert, Jean Rogers, Chet DeVore, Joanne Juan MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Herney OFFICIALS/STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney John M. Kaheny Ellen Gross, Deputy City Attorney Mayor Shirley Horton Dawn Herring, Budget Manager The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. 1. Roll Call All members were present except Susan Herney, who requested to be excused. MSUC (Carson/Gibert) to approve Susan Herney's absence due to a previous work commitment. MSUC (DeVore/Gibert) to excuse Jean Roger's absence from the June 9, 1997 meeting due to work conflicts. (Items 2 and 3 were trailed). 4. city Council Seven Priorities. Mayor Horton thanked the Chair for inviting her to the meeting. She distributed a flyer seeking input from the community prior to the third public hearing on January 13, 1998 on the Seven Proposed Priorities. Mayor noted in order to sustain a quality of life, we need to have secured revenues for adequate police, fire, libraries, parks and recreation facilities and partnerships with the school districts to provide after-school programs. A speaker's bureau has been set up in the community where various Council members are discussing the areas of improvements with the public. The Council met numerous times and received input from the Chamber of Commerce, the Chula vista Yacht Harbor Coalition, the Bayfront Conservancy Trust, the Environmental Health Coalition, the San Diego Audubon Society, Rohr, Port District, and SDG&E. The staff brought forward 226 projects, and the City Manager had 110 projects that he felt should be considered. The Council refined the list to 63 projects and finally selected the following final 7 areas of improvements which would generate the most revenues for areas of concern: Board of Ethics Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 2 . Bayfront . Third Avenue - Downtown . Broadway Revitalization . otay Valley . Higher Education Center/Environmental Sciences Institute . SR-125 . Improve City Revenues Base Mayor Horton discussed the above areas in detail explaining the improvements, revenues, etc. generated. Press releases, info notices at televised Council meeting, the Chula vista Quarterly and service club presentations have all been used to inform the public. 5. San Diego Padres Baseball Stadium. Mayor I S initial contact occurred in San Francisco when she had dinner with the Padres' attorney and suggested they might want to look at Chula vista as a possible site for a baseball park. She met with Larry Lucchino and John Moores and after meetings with staff, three areas of the Bayfront are being evaluated by the Padres for a ball park. Mayor believes Chula vista has a chance, albeit a long shot, at getting the ball park. She thinks we can do it without using any General Fund monies because she would not support that. Between the Port District, Rohr and tax increment monies, the project could be accomplished with outside funding. Chair Schulman inquired about tax increment monies. Redevelopment areas have been set up by the state to be a catalyst for economic development so a project benefits the surrounding area which thereby enhances the economic development opportunities for the City. Mr. Schulman asked if tax increment funds would provide the infrastructure for the access roads, sewage, utility lines, etc. Ms. Horton stated most of the infrastructure was already in place, but special on/off ramps would need to be built which would be part of the overall development. Mayor Horton noted we are in the very embryonic stage of negotiations and until we are considered a viable site, it will be difficult to have answers. Mr. Schulman's expressed concern over how much money is being spent. Mayor Horton said the City Manager has authorization to spend up to $25,000 on consultants, etc. Discussion ensued regarding the major football/baseball teams and the leverage they have over cities once money is expended for a stadium. Corrected 1/20/98 Board of Ethics Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 3 Member DeVore questioned the relevance of the discussion about the Padres' stadium to the Ethics Board. Chair Schulman asked if the matter would be put to a vote of the people. Mayor mentioned if existing taxpayer money were to be used, she would most definitely put it to a vote, but at this point there is nothing for them to vote on. She stated that a special election would cost $125,000 and she would rather spend the money on kids. 2. Approval of Minutes. MSUC (Carson/Gonzales) to approve the minutes of June 9, 1997. 3. Oral Communications None 6. Training Coordinator Report Toni McKean faxed in a report with a copy of the Code of Ethics for Parks, Recreation and Open Space and the Department of Public Works. Chair Schulman noted he checked with Toni regarding today's meeting date and scheduled it around her availability. He expressed concern over her many responsibilities and the importance of where ethics lies in the priority of things. He mentioned making a plea at budget time for more staff time for ethics program concerns. 7. Proposed Activities of Ethics Program and Board Member Gibert inquired if all departments submitted their statements. If there is vagueness for a Code of Ethics for the entire City and departments are not responding, why not have a Code that would apply to all departments? The members reviewed Chapter 2.28 (Code of Ethics) of the Municipal Code. Juan Gonzales wanted a statement posted where all employees could see it. MS (Gonzalez/Gibert) that we ask the City Council to develop a mission statement that includes the values all departments may follow. After the statement is approved by the City Council, it should be posted in every department so every employee knows what the city's values and mission statement are and disseminate it to the public. The motion was discussed. The consensus was the statement should be short and concise. It was suggested asking the Council what they desire so the Board could work on a citywide statement if Council wants the Board's assistance. It was suggested something similar to the Board's Mission Statement be used citywide. (Motion fails 6-0). Board of Ethics Minutes December 1, 1997 Page 4 Amended Motion: (Gibert/Gonzalez) that we recommend to the city Council that the Council issue a citywide Ethics statement. Also, the Council should be advised that the Board is available to develop a statement for Council consideration if they wish the Board's assistance. Motion passes 6-0. Richard Schulman heard Sandy Dolbee, Ethics and Religion Editor of the union-Tribune, speak at a local church. He asked the Board for their thoughts on inviting Ms. Dolbee to speak and see if Toni McKean could set up a meeting for city or community people to attend. Joanne Carson noted it should be well-publicized in order to maximize the turnout and possibly dovetail it with the Planning Department/Commission workshop. MSUC (Schulman/Carson) that the Chair be directed to work with Toni McKean on trying to set up such a meeting. 8. Member's Comments. Richard Schulman discussed the memo from the city Attorney regarding Proposition 208. The City Attorney stated the FPPC opinions are not law and it has raised great concern. The city currently has a draft revision to the city's campaign ordinance to have it comport with Prop 208 and he expects to bring it before the Council after January. Member Gibert asked if he volunteered to walk precincts for a Council member, would it be considered to be a contribution? Mr. Kaheny said it appears to only be financial contributions, but if he were appointed by the Council, he would not go down that road until he was absolutely sure the FPPC would not consider it a contribution. If someone is not in office at the time of a member's appointment, you can support their campaign. Juan Gonzalez suggested sending a thank you letter to the Mayor. Chair Schulman stated he is willing to step down as Chair if the members think he has been pushing too hard on issues or if the members feel their position is being compromised. Member DeVore said it seemed Mr. Schulman had some axes to grind and this forum should not be used for that purpose. Mr. Schulman stated he placed the items on the agenda because of a possible general ethical situation. The obligation of public servants is to serve the public rather than business interests. MSUC (Rogers/Gonzales) to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 p.m. cf~ cI!~ Secretary ,": \C-1:5\"'t hi ,=s\rni I; ',I t. '<0\ 1 ~ ()] '11 . !~',: n