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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 01 12.minutes.Board of EthicsMINUTES LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 12, 2010 - 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. Charles Bicy, Vice-Chairperson Rev. John Folkers Wes Thorp Penny Gardner, PhD Edwar Zeineh Connie Doyle Kirk Hewitt ABSENT: None A QUORUM WAS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: John M. Roberts Jr., Chief Deputy City Attorney Chris Swope, City Clerk Kevin Reeves, Chief Deputy City Clerk Loretta Stanaway, Bob Gray, Members of the Media PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Mr. Bicy to combine item one from Unfinished Business with item one of Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting. MOTION CARRIED Moved by Ms. Gardner to approve the agenda with changes noted. MOTION CARRIED SECRETARY’S REPORT: Approval of Minutes: Mr. Roberts suggested changes to item #4 under Communications and Petitions. Ms. Grettenberger made changes related to conversations regarding item #1 under communications and Petitions. Mr. Zeineh made changes related to conversations regarding the City Attorney advising the Board under item #1 under communications and Petitions. Moved by Ms. Gardner to approve the minutes of December 8, 2009 with changes noted. MOTION CARRIED Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting: 1. Ethics Board Complaint No. 2009-001 Concerning Tina Houghton – Preliminary Written Analysis/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 Mr. Roberts summarized his preliminary written analysis. He stated that his general conclusion is that the Board of Ethics is not the proper body to address the issues brought forth in the complaint. Loretta Stanaway reiterated the points of her complaint. She stated that the circuit court did not rule on the merits of the court case. She also stated that her complaint asked the Board to investigate the possibility of collusion between the Mayor, the City Clerk and the City Attorney to seat Ms. Houghton on the City Council even though she was allegedly ineligible to hold that office. Bob Gray spoke about his circuit court complaint. He stated that he did not believe Ms. Houghton lived up to her moral obligations. Moved by Mr. Zeineh to dismiss the complaint due to a lack of the board’s jurisdiction in these matters and the fact that the complaint does not reference a specific violation in the City Charter or the Ethics Ordinance. MOTION CARRIED Mr. Bicy asked that the Board address the council and state concerns about the limitations of the Ethics Ordinance and the Charter provisions on ethics. Ms. Grettenberger stated that a final opinion letter should be drafted by the City Attorney and have it signed by all members of the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Loretta Stanaway stated that the Board has used a narrow view of its powers in regards to their decision to dismiss her complaint. Moved by Mr. Thorp to appoint a sub-committee to draft language to address the limitations of the Ethics Ordinance and the Charter provisions on ethics to the City Council. MOTION CARRIED 2. Statement of Financial Interests submitted by 2nd Ward Council Member Tina Houghton The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to debate or discuss. 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. Statement of Financial Interests submitted by 4th Ward Council Member Jessica Yorko Mr. Roberts asked that the Board place this item under Unfinished Business until the next meeting in order to give her a chance to elaborate on her answers in the Statement of Financial Interests. The Board agreed to move this item until the next meeting. 4. Statement of Financial Interests submitted by City Council Principal Clerk Danielle Stubbs The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to debate or discuss. Moved by Ms. Doyle to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED 5. Letter sent regarding follow-up to Affidavit of Disclosure No action was taken on these items. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Mr. Roberts relayed at story about Henry David Thoreau in regards to paying taxes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Revision of the Affidavit of Disclosure Mr. Roberts continues to work on this matter. NEW BUSINESS: 1. New Location City Clerk Swope stated that due to budget issues related to security, City Hall location would no longer be able to be used for after hour’s meetings other than Monday night’s before City Council meetings. He also stated that he would provide the board with suitable location options at its next scheduled meeting. ADJOURNED 7:01 P.M.