The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2006 01 10 minutesMINUTES LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 10, 2006 - 5:30 P.M. TENTH FLOOR COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, LANSING CITY HALL The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. in the Tenth Floor Council Conference Room, City Hall, Lansing, Michigan. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellen Sullivan, Ph.D Chairperson Rev. John Folkers, Vice-Chairperson Mary Estes Ron Frybort ABSENT: Rev. LaSandra Jones A QUORUM WAS PRESENT: Yes OTHERS PRESENT: City Clerk Swope John M. Roberts Jr., Chief Deputy City Attorney M. Denise Griffin, Chief Deputy City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Member Frybort to approve the Agenda with the addition of two New Business items 1. Ethics Board vacancies 2. 2006 meeting schedule MOTION CARRIED 4/0 SECRETARY=S REPORT: Approval of Minutes: Moved by Vice Chair Folkers to approve the minutes of November 9, 2006 as corrected. MOTION CARRIED 4/0 Communications sent and received since the last meeting: 1. Letter to Mike Parker, Business Representative, Teamsters & Chauffeurs Local Union #580 (Copies of previously sent letters) The communication was received by the committee. 2. Letter to Sue Warren, Marketing Specialist for the Resource Planning Department of the Board of Water & Light The communication was received by the committee. 3. Letter of resignation from David Merchant from the Board of Ethics effective immediately The communication was received by the committee. 4. Affidavit of Disclosure filed by Kate Klinger of the Material & Services Management Resource Center of the Board of Water & Light Moved by Reverend Folkers to Receive and Place this Affidavit of Disclosure on file and send her a letter stating as reported there is no appearance of conflict or ethical violation. MOTION CARRIED 4/0 CITY ATTORNEY=S REPORT: There was no report from the City Attorney CHAIR=S REPORT: Chairperson Sullivan welcomed the new City Clerk to his position as a Board staff member and stated that she is looking forward to working with him. She said that she would like to welcome back Deputy Clerk Griffin. She also congratulated Mr. Roberts in his current role as the Interim City Attorney and is very glad that he is remaining with this Board in his new role. Chairperson Sullivan stated that she just picked up the title as Interim also. She stated that she is back at Lansing Community College as the Interim Project Director for the Work First Program. She said this is a temporary position and she is looking forward to it. TABLED ITEMS: There were no Tabled Items OLD BUSINESS: There was no Old Business NEW BUSINESS: Chairperson Sullivan spoke about the Board=s vacancies and City Clerk Swope stated that he would follow up on this issue with the appropriate appointing authorities. City Clerk Swope presented the 2006 Meeting Schedule for the Ethics Board Moved by Member Estee to approve the Ethics Board 2006 Meeting Schedule as revised. MOTION CARRIED 4/0 BOARD ROUND TABLE Member Estes stated that she has completed her Bachelor=s Degree in Business Administration from Spring Arbor College and has plans to jump back into a Master=s Degree Program. Member Frybort stated that he has a minor observation that reflects on our current times. The Detroit News Editorial page says that the DC Lobbying scandal should lead to ironclad ethics policy in DC. He said that he has seen these articles before and this one commonly criticizes the ethics ordinances in the State of Michigan, Macomb and Wayne Counties. So they have alluded to these weak ethics or nonexistent ethic laws that are around and we should be happy that no one has derided the Lansing Ethics Ordinances over time and hopes that we can continue to be in that category. He said we are kind of ahead of the curve more than most municipalities. Vice-Chairperson Folkers stated that on January 23rd he will be having eye surgery. City Clerk Swope spoke about the upcoming Election for the 23rd District State Senate vacancy ADJOURNED 6:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise Griffin, Recording Secretary/Date Minutes Placed on File: