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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20060828EABMinutes200608.pdfEthics Advisory Board August 28, 2006 Members Present: Randi Bryan, Linda Gladin, Lynn Hamilton, Roma Harper, Susan Hill, Anne Miller, and Sue Off Ex-Officos Present: Janice Elliott and Bubba Hughes Members Absent: Bobby Phillips Guests: Mayor Jason Buelterman Linda Gladin called the meeting to order and called roll. It was discussed that Bobby Phillips was having difficulty attending the meetings and was resigning his position. He will talk with Shirley Sessions concerning his appointment so that she can make another appointment. The July minutes needed to be amended before approved. Copies of the amended minutes will be sent out before the next meeting. Linda asked for there to be a modification to the agenda and to add the swearing in of the members by the Mayor since that he was able to attend the meeting. Bubba explained to the board why it was necessary for the members to be sworn in by the Mayor. He stated that according to our Charter that if committees are appointed that are quasi legislative or quasi judicial then they are to be sworn in and since this board is to create an ordinance to sent to the Mayor and Council that is quasi legislative. Mayor Buelterman gave the oath to the members and all agreed to obey. By-Laws A correction to Article IV, Section 2, and Number 1 – should read: (1) The Ethics Advisory Board is to be an advisory body with quasi-legislative authority. Roma made a motion to accept the by-laws with the correction. Ann seconded the motion. By-laws were accepted. Term Lengths The committee drew for 2 and 3 year terms. The results are listed below: Linda Gladin 2007 Roma Harper 2008 Lynn Hamilton 2008 Randi Bryan 2009 Ann Miller 2009 Open Position 2009 Ann Miller is the vice-president and Randi Bryan the secretary. City Manager/Management Team/Council Linda met with the City Manager and the Department Heads at their staff meeting. She asked them to provide their input based on their experience. She also made sure they understood the Ethics Advisory Board’s role. Linda went to City Council last week and brought them up to date and gave them a status report of the last two meeting. This was also to inform the public. Issues for Council The ordinance was passed on April 13th. We have 9 months from that date to get a draft ordinance to city council. This issue is does the board have enough time to do this. It was discussed that Linda would ask Paul to go to council to do a text amendment to the ordinance to extend the time to no later than May 30, 2007 and to ask Jason Buelterman to appoint a voting member to the board. Structure of Ordinance Handout Article 1 - the Prologue a temp to convey the purpose of the ordinance, very general in terms as opposed to specific. The statement of intent is almost finished. The other three pieces of Article 1 would be goals/purpose, severability, and definitions. Other parts of the ordinance should include Article 2 (Declaration of Policy), Article 3 (Guidelines and Rules, Article (Implementation/Enforcement). The handout listed possible sections or components for Article 3 (Rules and Guidelines) and a draft 1 for Article 2 (Declaration of Policy). Board members are to review the hand out on Article 3 to see if the topics listed need to be included, deleted and other topics added. Recommendations need to be given to Linda. Sue asked if there were any resources that could be helpful in that attempt . Linda suggested looking at the GMA document, “Ethics in Government.” Janice will print a copy for Sue and Randi. Linda will make up component packs from several other sources pertaining to a particular section in the ordinance. This will give the board guidance as to what needs to be included in the ordinance. Page 4 on the handout was draft 4 of the Legislative Intent and Purpose part of Article 1. There was discussion. Ann made a motion to accept the Legislative Intent and Purpose. Roma seconded - motion approved unanimously. Linda will take this part of the ordinance to the council. Article 2 (Declaration of policy), Linda would like input on this also. It was decided that all (including Article 3) Recommendations/Suggestions be given to Linda no later than Friday, Sept. 15th. Ann will help Linda compiled the information and present it to the board at the next meeting, Monday, Sept. 25th at 4:00 pm. Bubba stated that nepotism should be avoided due to the fact that the city is currently looking at a policy to deal with nepotism issues, but the ordinance will still need supplementation. Linda has found a Code of Ethics (Cobb County) that held up in the Court of Law pertaining to a conflict of interest. She was made aware of this at a workshop conducted by Frank Jenkins. She will email this Code of Ethics for the members to review. Frank Jenkins is an attorney who specializes in zoning matter/issues and conflict issues. Linda stated that it was an excellent workshop and she would like to contact him to have him give a presentation to the Ethics Advisory Board. Gift handouts were given to members for review and comment on also by Friday, Sept. 15th. Lynn Hamilton wanted a clarification of the “to do” list – read and give comments by email if possible – deadline for comments – Friday, Sept. 15th: 1) Article 3 Rules & Guidelines – pgs 2 of Handout 2) Article 2 Declaration of Policy – pgs 5, 6, 7, 8 of Handout 3) Gifts Handout Ann made a motion to change the November meeting to November 1 3th, have no December meeting, and to adjourn the meeting. Roma seconded. Meeting adjourned. Meeting dates are as follows for 2006: Sept 25th Oct 23rd Nov 13th We will meet at 4:00 pm in Room Number 7 (TEMA Room) of the Old School.