Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20151028Ethics Commission Minutes.docEthics Commission Minutes Meeting October 28, 2015 Approved: 03/16/2016 Members Present: Dennis Alexander, Kathryn Garlington, Ben Goggins, Danny Hill, Michael Pappas and Frances Kay Strickland Members Absent: Kathy Jackson Ex-Officos Present: Invited Guests: Call to Order: Danny Hill called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Roll was taken. All members were present except Kathy Jackson. Minutes for Ethics Commission meetings on August 10, 2015 and August 17, 2015 Kathryn Garlington made a motion to approve the minutes for August 10, 2015. Michael Pappas seconded. Minutes were approved. Dennis Alexander made a motion to approve the minutes for August 17, 2015. Frances Kay Strickland seconded. Minutes were approved. Old Business: none New Business: Review and discuss Ethics Commission complaint procedure Danny Hill stated that the commission could make changes to the procedure and policy at any time and he would check with the city attorney to verify this, but that the commission would go ahead and vote on the changes and get approval from the city attorney afterwards. Michael Pappas made a motion to revise the Ethics Commission Complaint Policy (III) and Ethics Complaint Procedure (I – 2 under Clerk of Council) to include name, mailing address, phone number, email address and in the event a complaint is filed by more than one complainant, a single contact person must be designated. Ben Goggins seconded the motion. Motion passed by all those present. Review and discuss merits of current Ethics Complaint filed on October 21, 2015 There was a request from the audience to address the Ethics Commission on procedure not about the complaint itself. Danny Hill, Chairperson of the Ethics Commission, stated that normally the commission did not entertain questions from the audience at this time, but after repeated request, Mr. Hill allowed the request. There was pause for Mr. Branigin to speak from the podium and during that time Mr. Hill stated that he would have to give an opportunity for this other gentlemen to speak as well which the gentleman answered that he had answered his own question. Mr. Hill apologized stating the commission did not normally take questions. Mr. John Branigin introduced himself for the record stating that he resided at 1406 Second Avenue. Mr. Branigin stated that due to the relationship between Forever Tybee and Mr. Wolff and the fact that he is endorsed by Forever Tybee and has received election support from Forever Tybee the members of the board, directors and general members of Forever Tybee should recuse themselves from deliberations on this complaint. Mr. Hill stated that Forever Tybee is not involved in this complaint. This complaint is for the CRC – Community Resource Commission. Mr. Branigin stated no. Mr. Hill stated yes sir. Mr. Branigin stated that the complaint was not about any commission that it was about the activities involved. It did touch on the Community Resource Commission but it’s an ethics issue not a CRC issue, but again Mr. Wolff has been endorsed by Forever Tybee I am only requesting that it be considered and be taken before the City Attorney if necessary. Mr. Hill stated that the City Attorney has to recuse himself. He continued that he was putting the cart before the horse here. There will have to be an attorney assigned to this Commission to advise us of legal issues. Mr. Hill stated that he would go back to the last complaint and state what Jeff Arnold (the attorney assigned to the Commission) said as far as Forever Tybee is concerned and Forever Tybee was not mentioned in that complaint as well and they wanted members to recuse themselves and he said they did not. Mr. Branigin stated that this time there was a difference and he wanted to make sure that this was on record. Mr. Hill stated that we are not going there. Mr. Branigin in the case of the complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Doyle, she was never endorsed by Forever Tybee, did not receive support from Forever Tybee. There was no relationship between her and Forever Tybee. Mr. Hill asked Mr. Branigin to show him in the complaint where Forever Tybee is listed. Words were exchanged. Mr. Hill said thank you. Mr. Hill asked a second person if he was sure that he did not want to address the commission. The citizen stated he was sure. Call for Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss ethics complaint filed Dennis Alexander made a motion to adjourn to executive session. Michael Pappas seconded the motion. Motion was passed by the members present to go into executive session. Close Executive Session and Reconvene Public Meeting Dennis Alexander made a motion to return to the public meeting. Kathryn Garlington seconded the motion. Motion was passed by the members present to return to the public meeting. Frances Kay Strickland had to leave during executive session due to a previous engagement and was not present for the regular session. Danny Hill, Chair, asked for a motion. Ben Goggins made the motion which stated: Based on our review of the compliant, we do not find that the facts as alleged, constitutes an ethics violation. City council members have first amendment rights to free speech as do all citizens. So in summary, we do not proceed with the compliant. We feel the complaint is not substantiated. Michael Pappas seconded the motion. Motion passed by the members present. Adjournment Michael Pappas moved to adjourn. Dennis Alexander seconded the motion. Motion was passed by the members present to adjourn.