HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ Ethics Commission_06.26.2009Notice of Meeting of the
Ethics Commission
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Ethics Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 06:00 PM in the City Council Chamber
Conference Room, 101 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas
If you need accommodations for a disability, please notify the city in advance.
Ethics Commission regular meetings are held once a year or on an as needed basis.
Call to Order at 06:00 PM
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the
President, a Board Member, the City Manager in his capacity as General Manager of the Ethics
Commission , the Assistant City Manager, or legal counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open
Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551, and are subject to action in the Regular Session that
follows.
AGENDA
1.Call Meeting to Order
2.Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Commission’s previous meeting
3.Discussion and possible action regarding recommendations to the City Council regarding the
City of Georgetown’s current Ethics Ordinance
4.Adjourn meeting
Certificate of Posting
I, Jessica Hamilton, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of
Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street,a place readily accessible to the general public at all
times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2009, at __________, and remained so posted for at least
72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
__________________________________
Jessica Hamilton, City Secretary
Minutes of the Meeting of
Ethics Commission
and the Governing Body of the
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Ethics Commission of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Wednesday , May 6, 2009.
Board Members Present:
Walt Herbert, Peggy Moore, John Chapman, Don Anderson, Jack Hunnicut, Harry Wiesner
Board Members Absent:
Cassandra Johnson, Robert Greene
Staff Present:
Jessica Hamilton , City Secretary
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive Session at the request of the
President, a Board Member, the City Manager in his capacity as General Manager of the Ethics
Commission , the Assistant City Manager, or legal counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open
Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551, and are subject to action in the Regular Session that
follows.
AGENDA
1.Call Meeting to Order
2.Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Commission’s previous meeting
Motion by Chapman, second by Hunnicut to approve the minutes. Approved 6-0 (Johnson,
Greene absent)
3.Discussion and possible action regarding recommendations to the City Council regarding the
City of Georgetown’s current Ethics Ordinance
Moore described the item. Hamilton said she gave the new redlined versions of the documents
to the Commission. Moore clarified a few small clean up items she brought to Hamilton's
attention. Herbert described other small errors on page three regarding the lettering of item E,
which should actually be item F. Herbert added he caught another reference to the Ethics Review
Commission on page eight, which should actually be "Ethics Commission." There were other
suggestions made regarding small changes to the Ordinance. Moore spoke about business entities
and disagreed with the fact that an individual would be named a "business entity." She noted
that person should be defined as someone making a profit. Herbert explained the logic of why he
made that suggestion. There were many opinions given on how to clarify the term "business
entity" in the Ordinance. Moore brought up the definition of "source of income " and noted she
thought it might be wise to take out the word "candidate" in the fourth and fifth lines because the
Ordinance does not apply to any political candidates, but only for political officers. The
Commission agreed.
Moore spoke about political campaigns as mentioned in the Ordinance. Herbert said that is a
separate issue as it involves using an official's own political position or City owned facilities for
personal gain. Herbert mentioned the section of the Ordinance that deals with political
contributions. Moore mentioned that the world "real" should be removed before the word
"property." Herbert agreed and noted the word property should also be capitalized. There were
many other small corrections recommended for the Ordinance. Moore spoke about the role of
City Attorney and whether or not that person receives the sworn complaints instead of the City
Secretary. She recommended the deletion of that point because, in the hearing process section, it
states that the City Secretary receives the complaints instead. Herbert asked about the process
after the City Secretary receives a complaint. Moore showed the Commission the section of the
Ordinance that addresses that process. Herbert noted it is good that the City Secretary receives a
complaint in case a complaint is filed against the City Attorney. There was much discussion
about the review and complaint process. The Commission spoke briefly about the role of the City
Attorney as referenced in the Ordinance.
Motion by Herbert, second by Hunnicut to make changes to the Ordinance regarding the
discussion and corrections made by the Commission pertaining to the definition of business
entity, substantial financial interest, the addition of a CPA and the role of the City Attorney.
Approved 6-0 (Johnson, Greene absent)
Meeting adjourned -- 7:00 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 07:00 PM.
Approved :Attest:
_______________________________________________
Peggy Moore, Chair Walt Herbert, Secretary