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Ethics Commission Minutes
January 7, 2009 Meeting
Members Present: Walker Beeson, Danny Hill, Pam O’Brien, Sue Off, Stephen Palmer, and
Julian Toporek
Members Absent: Nancy Anderson and Marianne Bramble
Ex-Officos Present: Bubba Hughes, City Attorney; Janice Elliott, Recording Clerk
Invited Guests:
Roll:
Walker Beeson called the meeting to order. Roll was taken.
Minutes:
Julian Toporek motioned for the minutes of the November 12, 2008 meeting be approved as
amended. Dan Hill seconded. Minutes were approved.
Review of Complaint and Response:
Pam O’Brien again disclosed that she was the Postle’s real estate agent when they purchase their
house. She stated that it would not affect her decision.
Walker asked if there were any questions for Mr. Woolf, Mr. Postle’s Attorney, since he was in
the audience. No response.
Julian Toporek motioned for the Commission to go into Executive Session. Danny Hill
seconded. The Commission voted to go into Executive Session.
Pam O’Brien moved to end the Executive Session and return to the Regular Session. Julian
Toporek seconded the motion. The Commission voted to return to Regular Session.
Walker Beeson called the Regular Meeting to order.
Julian Toporek moved to dismiss the complaint based upon the fact that the allegations of the
complaint did not constitute a violation of the ethics ordinance even if proven. Danny Hill
seconded. The Commission voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.
Old Business:
Julian asked about the Council approving Richard Darden as the attorney to represent the Ethics
Commission given circumstances when Mr. Hughes could not represent the Ethics Commission.
Bubba request for immediate assistance was declined by the Council.
There is provision in the new ordinance for the Commission to obtain legal services if the City
Attorney could not or was unable to provide services, but attorney must be appointed by the
Ethics Commission and confirmed by Council. Julian stated that this could be a cumbersome
process if an attorney was not ready available.
New Business:
Annual Meeting was set for Tuesday, February 17, 2009, City Auditorium, 4:00 pm. Those
members whose terms are expiring in 2009 are: Mary Ann Bramble, Danny Hill, and Sue Off
with two positions currently not filled. Applications are available on www.cityoftybee.org for
those members who want to re-apply to serve. Vivian Woods, Clerk of Council, will be
accepting application until January 15th. Council will vote on the new members during their
January 22nd meeting.
The Commission was asked to review the new ordinance and to see if affects the current by-
laws, complaint letter, policies and procedures in anyway. Pam O’Brien will highlight areas in
the documents for the next meeting that could be affected.
Training was discussed - i.e. handbook or mock situation. This will discussed more thoroughly
at the next meeting when member have had time to review the new ordinance.
Adjournment:
Danny Hill motioned to adjourned. Julian Toporek seconded. Motion carried. Meeting
adjourned.
01/08/2009je