HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/06/18 Board of Ethics Minutes
MINUTES OF A
BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
June 18, 2002
City Attorney's Library
3:45 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Interim Chair Ricardo
Gibert at 3:50 p.m.
1. Roll Call.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ricardo Gibert, Jean Rogers, Rudy
Ramirez, Joanne Carson, Jesse Navarro
MEMBERS ABSENT: Juan Gonzales
MSUC (Carson/Navarro) to excuse Member Gonzales.
STAFF PRESENT: Deputy City Attorney Nora Smyth
2. Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2002.
MSUC (Ramirez/Rogers) to approve the minutes of the meeting
of May 14, 2002 with the following correction to the first
sentence of the first paragraph of No.4:
At the February 19, 2002 meeting, the Board voted to
change the language in the above-referenced section
from "probable cause to "good cause".
3. Members' Comments.
MSUC (Gibert/Rogers) to move Agenda Item No.8, Members'
Comments, up to No. 3 on the Agenda.
Newly appointed Board Member Jesse Navarro introduced
himself and gave a history of his background. The Board
and staff welcomed Mr. Navarro and introduced themselves.
The Board inquired on the status of filling the vacancies
on the Board. Deputy City Attorney Smyth will check with
the City Clerk regarding the list of eligible nominees.
Jean Rogers inquired on the status of Kathleen Browder's
complaint regarding recruitment and hiring procedures in
the City Attorney's Office. Deputy City Attorney Smyth
reported that Human Resources has been in contact with Ms.
Browder and her complaint has been formally routed to the
Civil Service Commission.
Board of Ethics Minutes
June 18, 2002
Page 2
Member Ramirez inquired how items are placed on the Board
of Ethics agenda. Interim Chair Gibert responded that the
Board may notify the Chair, either directly or via the
Board Secretary, to request that items be placed on the
agenda.
Rudy Ramirez inquired on the status of the Council referral
relating to the registering of lobbyists. The Board made a
recommendation to the City Council in June 2001 to adopt
the registration of lobbyists. In August of 2001, the City
Council referred the item back to the City Attorney.
Interim Chair Gibert suggested asking the City Council for
a report on what action is taken on recommendations that
the Board makes to the Council.
4. Creation of An Ad Hoc Committee to Discuss Expansion of
Code of Ethics.
Member Ramirez distributed copies of San Diego's Code of
Ethics.
It was moved by Member Ramirez and seconded by Member
Navarro that an ad hoc committee of three people or less be
formed to begin looking at the adoption of the same
standards and procedures that the City of San Diego uses
for their Ethics Commission.
Discussion followed regarding the Council's wishes
regarding the expansion of the Code of Ethics; looking at
the actual ethics ordinance and the procedural side - how
investigations are conducted; lobbyists; inviting the City
Council to a Board of Ethics meeting.
Deputy City Attorney Smyth stated that San Diego has
encountered several problems with their model ordinance,
their approach and the application of the new Code of
Ethics and recommended putting the issue on hold for a
while.
Member Carson suggested holding
forming a committee to compare
ordinances. She stated that it is
the Council's wishes are before time
a workshop instead of
and discuss the two
important to know what
is spent on the issue.
Member Ramirez recommended that the Board read the
ordinance and make a comparison between Chula Vista's Code
and San Diego's Code.
Deputy City Attorney Smyth stated
the City Manager explore what
regarding expansion of the Code.
she could request that
Council wishes to do
Board of Ethics Minutes
June 18, 2002
Page 3
Member Ramirez withdrew his motion.
withdrew his second.
Member Navarro
MSUC (Ramirez/Carson) to hold a workshop (preferably within
45 days) for: 1) Review and discussion of the Code of
Ethics and its expansion; 2) Comparison of Chula Vista's
and San Diego's Codes.
Member Ramirez moved that subsequent to the next Board of
Ethics meeting, an ad hoc committee with three or less
members be formed to look into specific action relating to
expanding the Code of Ethics. Member Rogers seconded the
motion, and it carried with Member Gibert voting no.
5. Requirements for a Quorum.
Nora Smyth discussed Government Code ~54953 relating to
teleconferencing. Teleconferencing can be used if the City
allows it; however, Chula Vista's Municipal Code and
Charter do not contain provisions that allow
teleconferencing. In addition, ~54953 requires that during
the teleconference, a quorum of members of the legislative
body shall participate from locations within the boundaries
of the territory of which the local agency exercises
jurisdiction and agendas must be posted at all
teleconference locations.
6. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Member Ramirez moved to nominate Ricardo Gibert for Chair
and Jean Rogers for Vice Chair for Fiscal Year 2002-2003.
The motion carried with Member Gibert abstaining.
7. Oral Communications.
There were none.
8. Staff Comments.
Deputy City Attorney Smyth reported that information on the
Board of Ethics will be published in the next available
issue of the "Spotlight" which is included with the trash
bills.
Ms. Smyth shared with the Board a copy of the publication
A Local Official's Guide to Ethics Laws and asked the Board
if there was any interest in ordering copies for each
member. Ricardo Gibert will review the booklet and return
it to Ms. Smyth, who in turn will forward it to Mr.
Ramirez.
Board of Ethics Minutes
June 18, 2002
Page 4
MSUC (Ramirez/Gibert) to adjourn the meeting at 5: 32 p.m.
to the next scheduled meeting followed by a workshop on
Wednesday, August 7, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. in the City
Attorney's Library.
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