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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 12 08.minutes.Board of EthicsAPPROVED MINUTES LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2009 - 5:30 P.M. NINTH FLOOR CITY CLERK’S CONFERENCE ROOM, LANSING CITY HALL The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. in the Ninth Floor City Clerk’s Conference Room, City Hall, Lansing, Michigan. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Grettenberger, PhD, Chairperson Rev. John Folkers Wes Thorp Edwar Zeineh Connie Doyle ABSENT: Rev. Charles Bicy, Vice-Chairperson Penny Gardner, PhD A QUORUM WAS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: John M. Roberts Jr., Chief Deputy City Attorney Chris Swope, City Clerk Kevin Reeves, Chief Deputy City Clerk Don Kulhanek, Deputy City Attorney Loretta Stanaway, Nick Limber, Rob South, Neal McNamara PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Mr. Folkers to move the letter regarding Tina Houghton to the beginning of the agenda. MOTION CARRIED Moved by Mr. Zeineh to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED SECRETARY’S REPORT: Approval of Minutes: Moved by Mr. Folkers to approve the minutes of July 14, 2009 as submitted. MOTION CARRIED Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting: 1. Letter from Loretta Stanaway of 546 Armstrong Rd. requesting an investigation/hearing regarding Tina Houghton’s Park Board Appointment and election to the Lansing City Council City Clerk Swope stated that a formal complaint was submitted to his office today regarding this matter. Mr. Roberts spoke about the process to review formal complaints. Ms. Grettenberger argued that the City Attorney and the City Clerk should not be removed from the discussion of this matter due to the fact that their roles are advisory, and the Board agreed. Loretta Stanaway explained the points of her formal complaint, including alleged possible collusion between the Mayor, City Attorney and City Clerk’s office to seat Ms. Houghton on the City Council. Mr. Roberts asked Ms. Stanaway the basis of her alleged collusion charge against the City Attorney and City Clerk’s office to seat Ms. Houghton on the City Council and she stated that the basis was the City Attorney giving his formal opinion on the matter. Ms. Grettenberger stated that the job of the City Attorney is to issue such formal opinions. Mr. Roberts spoke about the formal legal complaint before the circuit court judge. Mr. Zeineh stated that the Board should wait for the legal opinion of the circuit court before deciding if the Board has jurisdiction over this matter in order to make a decision. Mr. Zeineh stated that unless parties actually bring evidence to support impropriety of the City Attorney, the City Attorney should continue to advise the Board in this matter. Ms. Grettenberger stated that there are limitations of the Ethics Ordinance that perhaps should be addressed by the City Council. Ms. Stanaway asked that the Board meet before a thirty day period to discuss the formal complaint and, regardless of the circuit court decision; the Board has issues that it could address. Moved by Mr. Zeineh to refer this matter to the City Attorney for a preliminary written analysis of the complaint pursuant to Section 290.03 of the Lansing Codified Ordinances. MOTION CARRIED Moved by Mr. Folkers to move the approval of the 2010 meeting schedule to this point in the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Moved by Mr. Folkers to confirm the 2010 meeting schedule as submitted. MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS: 1. 2010 Meeting Schedule The Board returned to the order of: Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting: 2. Statement of Financial Interests submitted by Marilyn Denise Griffin, Board of Water and Light Corporate Secretary After a discussion, it was determined that there were no ethics violations present in this Statement of Financial Interests. Moved by Mr. Folkers to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interest and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED 3. Affidavit of Disclosure submitted by Lansing Police Officer Rob Forbis After a discussion, it was determined that there were no ethics violations present in this Affidavit of Disclosure. Moved by Mr. Zeineh to receive and place on file the Affidavit and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED 4. Letter from the Chief Deputy City Attorney regarding an Affidavit of Disclosure submitted by Lansing Police Officer Edgar Guerra Mr. Roberts stated that he sent this item back to the Lansing Police Department officer who sent in the letter for Officer Guerra due to a lack of information and requested additional information. No action was taken on this item. 5. Letter sent regarding follow-up to Affidavit of Disclosure No action was taken on these items. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: None. CHAIR’S REPORT: None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Revision of the Affidavit of Disclosure ADJOURNED 6:50 P.M.