HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes apr 2024MINUTES
LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS
REGULAR MEETING
April 9, 2024 5:30 PM
Meeting Room
Reo Elections Office
1221 Reo Rd Lansing
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Janielle Houston, Chairperson
John Folkers
Jim Cavanagh
Rachelle Franklin
Louise Alderson
ABSENT: Jim DeLine, Vice-Chairperson
R Cole Bouck
Keith Kris
A QUORUM WAS PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT:Chris Swope, City Clerk
Brian Jackson, Chief Deputy Clerk
Zachary Lemaster, City Clerk’s Staff
Matt Staples, Assistant City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patrisha Spitzley spoke about ethics complaint 2023-04.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Moved by Member Alderson to approve the agenda as submitted.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Approval of Minutes
Moved by Member Alderson to approve the Minutes of March 20, 2024, as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Clerk Swope explained Member DeLine has resigned from the Board of
Ethics.
Moved by member Folkers to accept the resignation of Member DeLine.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
Affidavit of Disclosure Jameel Jones Police Department.
Moved by member Alderson to place Jameel Jones’s Affidavit of
Disclosure on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance or
other issues to further debate or discuss at this time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Statements of Financial Interests with no items disclosed
Moved by Member Cavanagh to place Dawn Carowitz’s, Sheryl Boak’s,
Brian P. Jackson’s, Brett Kaschinske’s, Elizabeth O’Leary’s and Gregory
Venker’s Statement of Financial Interest on file, having found no violation
of the Ethics Ordinance or other issues to further debate or discuss at this
time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Statement of Financial Interests Jake Brower Chief Strategy Officer
Moved by Member Cavanagh to place Jake Brower’s Statement of
Financial Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance
or other issues to further debate or discuss at this time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Statement of Financial Interests Veronica Hetke Appointments
Moved by Member Alderson to place Veronica Hetke’s Statement of
Financial Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance
or other issues to further debate or discuss at this time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Statement of Financial Interests Mark Lawrence Executive Asst. to the
Mayor
Moved by Member Cavanagh to place Mark Lawrence’s Statement of
Financial Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance
at this time. The Board's written response will include a reminder of their
ongoing duty to submit a new Statement of Financial Interest if any new
and relevant information arises.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Statement of Financial Interest Richard Peffley Board of Water and Light
Manager
Moved by Member Folkers to place Richard Peffley’s Statement of
Financial Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance
or other issues to further debate or discuss at this time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Statement of Financial Interests Andy Schor Mayor
Moved by Member Alderson to place Andy Schor’s Statement of Financial
Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance at this
time. The Board's written response will include a reminder of their ongoing
duty to submit a new Statement of Financial Interest if any new and
relevant information arises.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Statement of Financial Interests Crystal Thomas Treasurer
Moved by Member Alderson Crystal Thomas’s Statement of Financial
Interest on file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance or other
issues to further debate or discuss at this time.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT:
Moved by Member Houston that Pursuant to MCL 15.268(h) of the Open
Meetings Act, I hereby move that the Board recess into closed session to
consult with the City Attorney to consider material exempt from discussion
or disclosure by state statute. Specifically, to discuss written legal opinions
from the City Attorney. provided under attorney-client privilege and
attorney work-product, and which is also exempt from disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act pursuant to MCL 15.243(1) (g).
For this session, the topic is
Complaint 2023-004
Roll Call Vote
Ayes: Members Houston, Cavanagh, Franklin, Folkers, Alderson
Nays: None
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The board entered closed session at 6:06 PM
The board resumed open session at 6:13 PM
Moved by Member Alderson to remove complaint 2023-04 from the table.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Moved by Member Houston to recuse herself from complaint 2023-04.
MOTION CARRIED UNANMIOUSLY
Moved by Member Alderson to accept the investigation of complaint
2023-004.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The board discussed the merit of Complaint 2023-004
Moved by Alderson not to support the findings of the investigation of
Complaint 2023-004.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CHAIR’S REPORT: None
TABLED ITEMS: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Statement of Financial Interests Frank Lee HRCS Board
Moved by Member Alderson to place Frank Lee’s Financial Interest on
file, having found no violation of the Ethics Ordinance at this time. The
Board's written response will include a reminder of their ongoing duty to
submit a new Statement of Financial Interest if any new and relevant
information arises.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADJOURNED 6:22 p.m.