HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 02 08.notes.Board of Ethics ETHICS BOARD MEETING 2-8-05 NOTES Present: Robert Nole, Chair Rev. John Folkers
Jason Amen Hetep David A. Merchant II
Ellen Sullivan, PhD, Vice Chair Absent: Mary Claiborne Ron Frybort
Rev. LaSandra Jones
APPROVAL OF AGENDA By Vice Chair Sullivan to correct the Agenda to state that the minutes submitted for
approval are from November 9, 2004, and to approve the agenda as amended.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0 Chairman Nole on a point of personal privilege, asked Reverend Folkers to say a prayer
for the safety of the tenants of the apartment building on Waverly Rd. that suffered an
explosion late this afternoon. SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Approval of the Minutes of November 9, 2004 was held over to the next meeting
to allow for corrections requested by Vice Chair Sullivan
Communications and Petitions
1. Memo from David A. Berridge, Director of Public Service submitting an
Affidavit of Disclosure on behalf of Paul H. Baerman, a Member of the Board
of Public Service
City Attorney Roberts said that it did not appear to him that this is someone who is not a
conflict of interest situation. The Public Service Board is an advisory Board. They do
not take action on City contracts. The only potential for conflict exists in the possibility
that something could be discussed at a Board meeting that would be in advance of a bid
going out to the public. This is an unlikely event, however, there could be a possibility
of insider information, albeit a very slim possibility. Additionally, under the Charter
provision 5.505.1 there is a requirement that if a board members is going to bid on a
contract, even if they do not believe there is a conflict of interest at that point in time,
there should be a disclosure made. Even if he sits on a board there is the possibility in
the future that he may need to make that disclosure if he is going to bid on a contract.
Motion by Member Amen Hetep that the Board receive and place on file the affidavit of
disclosure filed by Mr. Baerman, with the recommendation that; Should any situation arise
in the future where his company bids on a City contract, he must be mindful of the
necessity for compliance with section 5-505.1 of the City Charter, and come forward at
that time with an affidavit of disclosure. And, that the Board of Ethics appreciates his
candor and preemptive action in filing the affidavit.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0
2. Statements of financial interest filed by;
a. Martin Riel, Interim Director of the Department of Management
Services
b. Paul F. Novak, City Attorney
Motion by Member Amen Hetep that the Statements of Financial Interest filed by Mr.
Novak and Mr. Riel be received and placed on file with no further action required.
MOTION CARRIED 5/0
3. Letter to Dorothy Boone, Development Director in the Department of
Planning and Neighborhood Development advising her of the disposition
of the Affidavit of Disclosure she filed
RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE
4. Letter from Jill Rhode, Deputy Finance Director/City Treasurer submitting
formal procedures to be followed within the Treasurer’s Office to preempt
a conflict of interest situation with respect to Deputy Treasurer, Susan M.
Topping and her outside tax practice
Motion by Vice Chair Sullivan that the Secretary communicate with Ms. Topping and inform her that “That the Board of Ethics finds that Ms. Topping’s relationship with the Treasurer’s Office would not represent a conflict of interest, given the safeguards that have been implemented by the Department and the conditions presented in the letter
from Ms. Rhode to the Board of Ethics. Further, that the City Attorney’s Office feels that
the safeguards are sufficient to ensure no conflict of interest. Finally, that the Board accepts Ms. Toppings representation and offer that she will accept no new City of Lansing tax return clients and appreciates her candor and preemptive action in filing the affidavit.”
MOTION CARRIED 5/0
The Board asked that the record to reflect that, by this motion, they are not granting an
exception to the City’s Ethics Code, they are stating that the safeguards that have been
put in place assure the Board that Ms. Topping does not have a conflict of interest.
BOARD ROUND TABLE Member Amen Hetep announced that his third child, a son, was born on January 12, 2005. He was 5 weeks premature, but both mother and baby are doing well now.
Chairman Nole invited all Board members to an event this Sunday, a fund raiser for the
victims of the Tsunami tragedy in Sri Lanka. All proceeds will go to ‘Save the Children’ to help the kids that were affected. Motion by Member Folkers to adjourn
MOTION CARRIED 5/0 Meeting adjourned at 6:45 P.M.