HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120227EthicsMinutes.docxEthics Commission Minutes
February 27, 2012 Annual Meeting
Members Present: Danny Hill, Kathy Jackson, Steven Palmer, Frances Kay Strickland, and Brucie Westerman
Members Absent:
Ex-Officos Present: Janice Elliott, Recording Clerk; Jason Buelterman, Mayor
Invited Guests:
New Officers:
Mayor swore in the new members: Kathy Jackson and Brucie Westerman
Roll:
Danny Hill called the meeting to order. Roll was taken.
Minutes:
Frances Kay Strickland motioned for the minutes of the April 25, 2011 meeting be approved. Kathy Jackson seconded. Minutes were approved.
Election of Officers:
Called for nomination for Chairman – Frances Kay Strickland nominated Danny Hill. Steven Palmer seconded. Motion carried. (4 votes yes, Danny Hill recused himself)
Called for nomination for Vice-Chairman – Frances Kay Strickland nominated Steven Palmer. Brucie Westerman seconded. Motion carried. (4 votes yes, Steven Palmer recused himself)
Old Business
Training for Ethics Commission:
The Ethics Commission waited on training last year due to the fact that it was an election year. There is money budgeted for training this year. Janice Elliott is to check with Walt
McBride from the Carl Vinson Institute to see if he would be available for ethics training, the length of the training session, and the cost. Danny Hill will check to see if the training
would be better for the Mayor and Council during the week or on Saturday. Other committee members that are appointed positions such as the Beach Task Force and Planning Commission
should also attend.
Proposed Ethics Commission by-Laws Change:
Proposed changes to the by-laws were suggested and voted on at the last meeting, but have not been properly advertised. According to the Ethics By-Laws, “New by-laws may be adopted
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Ethics Commission after 30 days written notice of the meeting and notice stating the changes to the members.” The proposed
changes to the by-laws will be place on the bulletin board for review for the next 30 days beginning February 28th. The Ethics Commission will meet on Monday, April 2nd, to vote on
the advertised proposed changes. Changes are as follows:
Section 2. Membership:
The Ethics Commission is to be composed of seven (7) Principal members and three (3) Auxiliary members who participate in Commission matters on an as needed basis.
This will be changed to:
Section 2. Membership:
The Ethics Commission is to be composed of seven (7) voting who participate in Commission matters on an as-needed basis.
Section 3. Terms of Service:
Council intends for Commission members to serve two-year “staggered” terms so that five (5) member terms expire during odd-numbered years and five (5) member terms expire during even-numbered
years. To that end, there is to be associated with each of the ten Commission positions a permanent number. Principal member positions are to be numbered 4 through 10. Auxiliary
member positions are to be numbered 1 through 3.
This will be changed to:
Section 3. Terms of Service:
Council intends for Commission members to serve two-year “staggered” terms so that
five (5) member terms expire during odd-numbered years and five (5) member terms expire during even-numbered years. To that end, there is to be associated with each of the ten Commission
positions a permanent number. Principal member positions are to be numbered 4 through 10.
Section 4. Attendance will be added to Article 1 Membership in the by-laws:
Section 4.Attendance:
A member who fails to attend two (2) consecutive regular meetings or four (4) regular meetings of the Ethics Commission in a one (1) year period, (February to last regular meeting of
January) without prior notice to the Secretary and/or Chair, shall either resign or become subject to a recommendation to Mayor and Council for dismissal from the Ethics Commission.
The Chair, with the concurrence of three (3) members, may recommend to Mayor and Council that the vacancy be declared and the vacant position be filled by appointment.
The Mayor and Council voted on and approved the membership change last year triggering the Ethics Commission to change the by-laws.
Danny Hill stated that the Ethics Ordinance stated under Article II, paragraph 2, the Commission is to be composed of seven Principal Members and three Auxiliary Members who participate
in Commission matters on an as-needed basis. The “three Auxiliary Members” needed to be removed from the ordinance. Janice is to contact Bubba for a first and second reading on this.
***Upon researching the ordinance, it was discovered that there had been a second reading on the ordinance change on 07/28/2011. Article II, paragraph 2, now reads, The Commission is
to be composed of seven. The change that was needed has already occurred.
Ethics Commission has two openings (2014 terms) that need to be advertised.
New Business
First Street Property: Possible FEMA violation and non approved subdivision owned by a current City Council Member:
This information was received anonymously. According to the City Attorney, the current ethics ordinance has no provision for the Commission to receive an anonymous complaint; therefore,
no action can be taken on this information. The complaint has to be a formal written document that is signed and notarized by the complainant before any action is taken. This is to
avoid anyone making a frivolous complaint.
City Ordinances:
Frances Kay Strickland was asking for clarification on city ordinances. Several concerned citizens had come to her regarding the Parking Lot Ordinance. It stated that they must have
a seal stamped lay out. Some had a seal stamped lay out and some did not. Is it right for the Mayor and Council to allow this? The matter was discussed. It seemed to be a zoning
issue that needed to be handled by the Planning Commission. The Ethics Commission would not get involved in this unless there is a formal complaint filed through the City Clerk.
Meetings will be scheduled on an as needed basis.
Adjournment:
Steven Palmer motioned to adjourned. Brucie Westerman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.
03/05/2012je