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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/08/10 Board of Ethics Minutes CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA MINUTES OF A BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING August 10, 1999 city Attorney's Conference Room 3:54 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jean Rogers, Juan Gonzales, Susan Herney Ricardo Gibert, Kenneth Culver, Teresa Thomas MEMBERS ABSENT: Joanne Carson (excused) OFFICIALS/STAFF PRESENT: Ellen Faye Gross, Deputy city Attorney, David D. Rowlands, Jr. city Manager The meeting was called to order at 3:54 p.m. 1. Roll Call All members were present except for Joanne Carson. 2. Aoorove Minutes of March 18. 1999 MSUC (Rogers/Herney) to approve the minutes of March 18, 1999. 3. Introduce and Welcome New Members Chair Gonzales officially welcomes new members to the Ethics Committee and gives the floor to City Manager, David Rowlands, Jr. Mr. Rowlands also welcomes new members and gives a brief explanation of the Ethics committee's role and its duties. Member Herney also briefly advises the new board members on the history and role of the Ethics Committee. Chair Gonzales asks for those present at the meeting to introduce themselves each other respectively. Chair Gonzales reminds all members new and current of the one hour meeting time. 4. Discuss possible Closure of Proposed Letter Chair Gonzales briefly apprises new members of this issue that was forwarded to the Ethics Committee by the City Council concerning a proposed change in the City's campaign contribution ordinance. Some members expressed disappointment that the City Council did not follow the recommendation given by the Board and that the Board had concerns that there may have been appearances of ethical improprieties. The Board wanted to bring it to the Council's attention by way of a proposed letter. Board of Ethics Minutes August 10, 1999 Page 2 However, due to the lack of conclusion and the passing of almost a one year period, it is Chair Gonzales opinion that the Board would better serve the community by dismissing this item and moving forward to other more effective and productive issues. MSUC (Herney jRogers) to have the letter, in its draft form, attached to the official minutes of August 10, 1999. 5. Oral Communications None. 6. Training Coordinator Report In Toni McKean's absence Secretary Carmen Sandoval explains briefly the City's continued training commitment and that Ms. McKean is now providing training of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. 7. Members Comments Members would like to do an overview for new and current members and possibly set up a training for review of the process and procedures of this Commission; how the Board would proceed with an investigation; and, an orientation of the FPPC. Member Herney advises the Board of its jurisdiction and reminds that the Board is here to inform and investigate. Deputy City Attorney Ellen Gross suggests checking into how the Ethics Committees in other Cities conduct business. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 28, 1999 at 3:45 p.m., in the Human Resources Conference Room (formerly the Park & Recreation Conference Room.) Meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. h:\home\carmens\cbs\ethics\minutes\081099.min DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Honorable Mayor llnd Counci!rneml>m City of Chula Vista Ir: r~: Campaign Contribution Ordinance Dear Mllycr Horton and Members of the Chula Vista City C01l11cil: The Chula Vista Board of Ethics appreciated the opponunity to panicipate in the Dccembe:, 1998 referral of the proposed campaign contrib'~,io:1 ordin~Jlce. As YOll requested in that referral, we reviewed and discussed the proposed ordinance in Ol~r meetings MId December 21,1998, and January 7, 1999, It was the recommendation of the Boal'd of Ethics to the City Council that the proposed change in th~ dty's campaign contribution ordinanco: (1) Include a limit of$I,OOO per penon for contributioJls made to cumpnign-relatcd legal fun~ . (2) Apply to funlre c~aign8' . J- ~J . 1t,9At f\~' VJ<N~ ,tW' f (wioow 'Wi.iliiQ restl\te 1nose reco~iiliatl()ni..tm\l9U~,"d\:iC'(Vtfttnegilr~wthese"lwo rf - provjs~, ~jCh were ~ncli.ffiM as pllJ't of the campaign comriblltioll ordinance YOLI ~ subsequently adopted January 25.1999, U We tnke this opporhllli,y to ndvise you of the risk of the appearance ofimpropric:y that now clouds tb.: public perception of the City o!'Chula Vista's campaign contributions ordinance, Sp~cificrtl1y. we believe that the retroactive provision of the umendment YOll did adopt uppel'.n to favor II silting member of the currenl City Council. Moreover, we believe alld advise you that adoption of a limit of $1,000 per person for campaign.rel11teJ legal fund contributions would clo much to mitigate against the appoarance of abuse of the proces! by limiting excessive contributions by om: or a fe-..v wealthy individuals. The Chuia VilIta Board of Ethics is "Committed to honor tho public trust hy promoting ethical values and monitoring ethical standards in all aspects of city government," We appreciate the opportunity to pllTticipate in the process and to advise City Council with reglll'd to promoting and prncticing ethical values, We would appreciate yom response to the concerns of your Board of Ethics with rcgard to these recomm;]ndatioTIs, Sincerely,