HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/02/06 Board of Ethics Minutes
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MINUTES OF A
BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
February 6, 1991
City Attorney's Conference Room
6:00 p.m.
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MEMBERS PRESENT:
Harriet
Rudolfo
Padilla
Acton, Donald Swanson, Leo
David, Janet Richter,
(arrived at 6:02 p.m.)
J. Kelly,
stephen
MEMBER ABSENT AND UNEXCUSED:
Jerry McNutt
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Personnel Director Candy Boshell, Dawn
Herring, Byron Wade, and Assistant City Attorney Richard Rudolf
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The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Acton at 6:00 p.m.
1. MS (swanson/David) 4-0-1 (Member Acton abstaining) to approve
the minutes of January 15, 1991.
2. QWL/Employee Code of Ethics Personnel Director Boshell
reported on the labor management/QWL process in developing a City
.organizational values and ethics. statement. She handed out the
statement to members of the Board and advised that it was
approved on Monday, February 4, 1991 by the City-wide Steering
Committee for QWL. She advised that City Management and the City
Attorney's Office were working together to next develop an
incompatible activities code applicable to all departments to
augment the conflict of interest laws and the organizational
values and ethics statement. QWL representatives Dawn Herring
and Byron Wade made presentations regarding their participation
in and observations on the formulation of the organizational
values and ethics statement from the management and labor sides.
Member Swanson inquired whether the QWL Committee reviewed other
cities' statements of ethical considerations as part of the
process and Mr. Wade responded that perhaps a dozen cities'
ethical statements had been reviewed and considered covering a
wide range of types of ethical statements. Member Swanson felt
the ethical statement lacked any language that would encourage
employees not to be intimidated by their immediate supervisors
and/or management and provided them guidance as to whom and when
they should report suspicious circumstances. Member Kelly asked
how the statement was to be promulgated, and Director Boshell
replied that it would be part of the orientation process for each
new employee corning on board to the City as well as being posted
on bulletin boards. Member Richter inquired whether the
statement of ethical concerns would enhance or interface with
other codes. Mr. Wade responded that the ethical statement was
harmonious with existing ethics codes or conflict of interest
codes currently applicable within the City.
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Board of Ethics Minutes
February 6, 1991
Page 2
Further discussion resulted in two suggestions from the
Committee. Member Kelly suggested that the statement be
published in the local newspaper. Chairperson Acton suggested
that the bottom of the document give credit to how and who
crea ted the document, with the emphasis showing that it was a
whole City project and somehow acknowledge the agreement of the
wide variety of participants in preparing the statement. She
felt that it would give the document more dignity and punch to
those reviewing it. All o~ the members concurred as to each
suggestion, and staff advised they would pass the suggestions of
the Committee on to QWL.
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3. Goals and Objectives for 1991 - MSUC (Swanson/David) to meet
every three months to receive a periodic update on the City's
progress towards the creation of an incompatible activities code
applicable to all employees. Chairperson Acton inquired if the
members felt anything was necessary to deal with the potential
for ethical issues arising in the June special election for Mayor
and no issues were raised. Member Swanson suggested recognition
by the Committee for individuals' outstanding conduct, ethical
training, a public survey on ethics or a public forum regarding
ethical issues, and that there be a candidate forum sponsored by
the Ethics Board relating to ethics in government for candidates
for the special election for Mayor in June. Staff advised that
such a political forum would not be within the authority of the
Board of Ethics pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code sections
2.28.080 and 2.28.100, and that if the Board desired to proceed
wi th such a project, it would need a Code amendment. Member
Swanson suggested the Board meet to review the existing Municipal
Code for potential improvements.
4. Budget - MSUC (Swanson/Padilla) to request the same $350 as
in prior years for the Board's budget.
5. Campaign Treasurer Forms - Although the issue was raised by
Member McNutt who was absent, there was discussion and a review
of the forms indicating that political contributions in the
amount of less than $100 did have to be accounted for by campaign
treasurers. Chairperson Acton advised she had personally
reviewed the campaign statements of two campaign treasurers and
confirmed that campaign contributions as low as $1.00 were
accounted for and recorded for the purposes of potential
cumulative contributions in an amount exceeding $100.00.
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6. Next Meeting MSUC (Swanson/Kelly) to have a meeting at
6:00 p.m. on March 5, 1991 in the City Attorney's Conference Room
for the purpose of considering an amendment to the Municipal Code
to make part of the purpose of the Board of Ethics fostering more
ethical behavior within the community.
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Board of Ethics Minutes
February 6, 1991
Page 3
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m., with the next meeting
scheduled for March 5, 1991 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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D. Richard Rudolf
Assistant City Att
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