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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/01/12 Board of Ethics Minutes [Corrected 2/23/98] CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA MINUTES OF A BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING January 12, 1998 City Attorney's Conference Room 3:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Schulman, Joanne Carson, Jean Chet DeVore, Juan Gonzales, Susan Ricardo Gibert Rogers, Herney, OFFICIALS/STAFF PRESENT: John M. Kaheny, City Attorney Toni McKean, Training Coordinator [arrived at 3:50p.m.] The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. 1. Roll Call All members were present [Ricardo Gibert arrived at 4:00 p.m.] 2. Aporoval of Minutes. MSUC (DeVore/Carson) to approve the minutes of December 1, 1997, with Susan Herney abstaining. 3. Oral Communications None 4. Follow-Up to Board Actions a. city Mission Statement Chair Schulman inquired about the December 1, 1997 regarding the City Council's development of a city-wide Statement. City Attorney, John Kaheny will prepare. meeting Ethics Chair Schulman cites from the Code of Ethics, regarding sections 2.28.010 and 2.28.025 which refers to "people in public". Questions were then presented to City Attorney. John Kaheny, feels the Municipal Code applies only to the City of Chula Vista, therefore a reasonable interpretation in the broadest application refers to the "Residents of Chula vista". No additional comments regarding this issue were presented. b. Special Education Meeting Board of Ethics Minutes January 12, 1998 Page 2 Chair Schulman and Toni McKean have not had a chance to meet and discuss. Chair Schulman temporarily postpones this item and moves to next item. Chair Schulman asks Toni McKean about putting together a meeting to invite Sandi Dolbee. Toni McKean is willing, but needs to know logistics prior to extending the invitation. Chair Schulman recommends inviting Sandi Dolbee to a Board of Ethics meeting, hopefully with endorsement from City Council to be held in the City Council Chambers. Discussions ensue regarding this Board's authority and continuance of education and training regarding Ethics. It is suggested that this meeting be open to the public as well, possibly by way of a press release. Toni McKean will check with the Mayor's office first, then follow- up with Ms. Dolbee's schedule. 5. Election of Officers Chair Schulman opens discussion for Election of Officers for the remainder of this term through June 30, 1998. Joanne Carson has no desire at this time to Chair the Board. Susan Herney also declines the nomination. Chet DeVore declines. Member Gonzales inquires as to the process for obtaining funding. Chair Schulman states he and Susan Herney have made presentations and recommendations for funding to assist in carrying out the Board's functions. Chair Schulman feels it is important that the new Chair and Board continue to put this request before the Council. MSUC (DeVore/Herney) Juan Gonzales as new Chair. Joanne Carson will continue as Vice-Chair. 6. Training Coordinator Report Toni McKean notes she is finishing up the list of departmental mission statements which have been submitted to the Ethics Board. Toni McKean will have the list available to go out with next minutes. Discussions ensue regarding the importance and need of an Ethics Board, the continuance of Ethics standards and making people aware and conscious. Discussions regarding Attorney, John Kaheny Attorney will continue the regulations discusses briefly that topic later in of Campaigning. Proposition 208. this meeting. City city Board of Ethics Minutes January 12, 1998 Page 3 7. 1998 - 99 FY Budget a. Ethics Board Chair Schulman distributed the handout of the Ethics Board expenditure summary outlining the Committee's proposed budget for FY 98-99. Members hold open discussion regarding the budget. Chair Schulman presents question for funding for a plaque. Member Gibert suggests a certificate of Appreciation be given to Speaker Sandi Dolby from the City. City Attorney, John Kaheny feels this budget amount will be adequate. MSUC (Herney/Rogers) Motion to Approve Budget. b. Ethics Program Chair Schulman and Members comment on Council's awareness and lack of commitment to assist in allowing the Board of Ethics to have someone available to perform the functions needed to carry out the recommendations of this Board, which council approved and endorsed. Members discuss the requirements needed to enable the most qualified person, namely Toni McKean be available to the Ethics Board. Toni McKean explains the difficulty due to scheduling and her workload. The Committee needs to reassess the arrangements and staffing and make p\;! Qgmmi\iflj:l.i;\!:i $ gni:i f'gr adequate provisions so that duties can be fulfilled. It is recommended that new Chair Gonzales meet with new City Manager and possibly new City Council, in hopes that they will be more cuuioLl<=~m$hi'lbX$ to assist the Board of Ethics. 8. Member's Comments. City Attorney discuss Proposition 208. John Kaheny states the District Court has enjoined Prop 208 in its entirety and has remanded this matter back to the California Supreme Court. The City Attorney has read the Court's opinion it refers to the City of San Diego'S Campaign ordinance being the one to avoid due to constitutional problems. City of Chula vista follows San Diego'S ordinances. Said opinion discusses the $250 limit and the problems of being able to get around that and with the difficulties in trying to enforce. John Kaheny said it appears to have larger ramifications regarding the campaign contributions. At this point, Board of Ethics Minutes January 12, 1998 Page 4 it is a wait and see situation, however there are no currently no restrictions applicable to this Board. Member Carson extends thanks and appreciation to Richard Schulman, members concur. New Chair Gonzales calls next meeting for Monday, February 23, 1998 at 3:45 p.m. Member Herney offers her assistance to Gonzales. MSUC (HerneyjCarson) to adjourn at ~25 p.m. / val c:\cbs\ettllcs\minutes\112Q8.rev