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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150527_EthicsCommissionMinutes.pdf Ethics Commission Minutes Meeting May 27, 2015 Approved 07/08/2015 Members Present: Dennis Alexander, Kathryn Garlington, Ben Goggins, Danny Hill, Kathy Jackson, Frances Kay Strickland, and Michael Pappas Members Absent: Ex-Officos Present: Janice Elliott, Secretary and Bubba Hughes, City Attorney Invited Guests: Call to Order: Danny Hill called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Roll was taken. All members were present. Election of Officers: Michael Pappas made a motion to re-appoint Danny Hill as Chairperson of the Ethics Commission. Katherine Garlington seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Danny Hill elected Chairperson for the 2015 year. Danny Hill made a motion to re-appoint Dennis Alexander as Vice Chairperson of the Ethics Commission. Frances Kay Strickland seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Dennis Alexander elected Vice-Chairperson for the 2015 year. Minutes for Ethics Commission meeting on April 28, 2014 There was a typo in the minutes. Ben Goggins made a motion to accept the minutes of April 28, 2015 with a minor correction. Frances Kay Strickland seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously. Old Business No old business to discuss New Business: Review and discussion on pending Ethics Complaint (received May 21, 2015 by the Ethics Commission Chairperson) A new complaint has been filed for the ethics commission to consider. Mr. Bubba Hughes was available to answer any procedural questions on the ethics ordinance but could not advise legally due to a conflict of interest since the complaint involved a council member. Mr. Hill stated that the complaint was received on May 20th. He received a phone call and he picked up the complaint on May 21st. Mr. Hill questioned the fact that since this was an open meeting names discussed would be subjected to public record. Mr. Hughes agreed that if the meeting remained opened that those charged and those making the complaint would be part of public record. Mr. Hughes stated that the commission had the option to close the meeting at any time if they so desired. The complaint was dropped off by Charles Matlock at the desk of the Clerk of Council. The complainant did not receive the new packet newly revised by the commission. The clerk did mail a receipt letter to the complainant (see attached letter). The complaint was filed against Council Member Wanda Doyle, the City Clerk, Jan Leviner, and city employee, Chantel Morton. Complaints against city employees are not handled by the commission, but by the City Manager. Mr. Hill notified the City Manager and sent a copy of the complaint to her. Mr. Hill will keep the City Manager informed on any decisions made by the commission. The Commission discussed the complaint to get a better understanding of the events that occurred. Danny Hill stated that the purpose of the Ethics Commission is to answer the questions that were asked of the complainant. Questions 1 through 4 were read. Dennis Alexander made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Ben Goggins seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous to go into executive session. Dennis Alexander made a motion to return to the open meeting. Ben Goggins seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous to return to the open meeting. A motion was made by Ben Goggins that question 1 and 2 of the complaint needs further investigation and move forward to ask the accused to make responses to the allegations. Kathy Jackson seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous to proceed to the next step. Dennis Alexander noted for the record that question #3 of the complaint has been referred to the City Manager and question #4 was handled by the Chairperson of the Ethics Commission. All administrative support in this matter will be handled by the appointed recording secretary, Janice Elliott. Bubba Hughes advised that once the responses have been communicated the commission could seek legal counsel. Mr. Hughes would need to be contacted if legal counsel is needed so that he could inform the Mayor and Council. A vote from Mayor and Council is needed on this matter. At this point, the commission did not feel that legal counsel was needed. Legal counsel could be addressed by the commission when needed. Adjournment Michael Pappas made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Dennis Alexander. Vote was unanimous to adjourn.