HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 12 11.minutes.Board of Ethics MINUTES LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2007 - 5:30 P.M. NINTH FLOOR CITY CLERK’S CONFERENCE ROOM, LANSING CITY HALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 P.M. in the Ninth Floor City Clerk’s Conference Room, City Hall, Lansing, Michigan. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Rev. John Folkers Chairperson Ron Frybort, Vice-Chairperson Susan Grettenberger, PhD (Arrived at 5:49 P.M.)
Ellen Sullivan, PhD Paul Teszlewicz Wes Thorp ABSENT: Don Cote
A QUORUM WAS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: John M. Roberts Jr., Chief Deputy City Attorney
Chris Swope, City Clerk Kevin Reeves, Chief Deputy City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Ms. Sullivan to approve the agenda as submitted.
MOTION CARRIED
SECRETARY=S REPORT: Approval of Minutes: Moved by Ms. Sullivan to approve the minutes of October 9, 2007 as submitted.
MOTION CARRIED Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting:
1. Affidavit of Disclosure filed by Joel McDowell, employee of the Board of Water & Light
Moved by Ms. Sullivan to receive and place on file the Statement with no further action needed.
MOTION CARRIED
CITY ATTORNEY=S REPORT:
1. Lansing Police Department Matters re: Officers’ purchase of their badges upon promotion or retirement
Mr. Roberts reported to the Board on the practice of LPD officers having the option to purchase their badges upon promotion or retirement. He also reviewed with the Board the applicable City purchasing ordinance Section 206.13(c) containing the requirements that govern the practice and would need to be implemented. Moved by Ms. Grettenberger that the Ethics Board make the following informal opinion under City Charter Section 5-503.1:
The Lansing Police Department practice that allows LPD officers to purchase their badges upon promotion or retirement as a memento and not for private use that could be confused with official use, does not violate the ethics requirements of the City Charter or Ethics Ordinance, provided the practice complies with the City purchasing ordinance requirements. And, that LPD officers be made aware of the practice.
MOTION CARRIED
2. Lansing Police Department Matters re: Retired officers’ purchase of their firearms when it is traded in for a replacement
Mr. Roberts presented to the Board the procedure outlined in the memorandum of LPD Captain Ed Forrest. The procedure allows LPD officers to purchase directly from the LPD sidearms supplier their used gun upon
retirement and after the gun is traded in for a new weapon. If an officer purchases the used weapon, it is by a voluntary arrangement with the supplier. The retired officer can purchase the gun at a favorable retail price equal to LPD’s new gun replacement cost. The inapplicability of the City purchasing ordinances regarding the private company resale of the “trade-in” gun, was also discussed.
Moved by Ms. Grettenberger that the Ethics Board make the following informal opinion under City Charter Section 5-503.1:
The Lansing Police Department practice that allows LPD officers to purchase their firearms directly from the LPD sidearms supplier upon retirement and after it is traded in for a new weapon, does not violate the ethics
requirements of the City Charter or Ethics Ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED
CHAIR=S REPORT:
TABLED ITEMS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS:
ADJOURNED 6:41 P.M. Respectfully submitted,
Chris Swope, City Clerk Date Minutes Placed on File: