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Home My WebLink About2011 07 12.minutes.Board of EthicsAPPROVED MINUTES LANSING CITY BOARD OF ETHICS REGULAR MEETING JULY 12, 2011 - 5:30 P.M. LPD NORTH PRECINCT CONFERENCE ROOM The meeting was called to order at 5:35 P.M. in the Conference Room, Lansing Police Department North Precinct, Lansing, Michigan. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Grettenberger, PhD, Chairperson Rev. Charles Bicy, Vice-Chairperson Rev. John Folkers Penny Gardner, PhD Connie Doyle Kirk Hewitt Lori Adams Simon ABSENT: None A QUORUM WAS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT: Don Kulhanek, Deputy City Attorney Kevin Reeves, Chief Deputy City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Board discussed changing the agenda by grouping Statements of Financial Interests with the acknowledgement of the receipt of Common Ground tickets together. Moved by Mr. Bicy to approve the agenda with changes noted. MOTION CARRIED SECRETARY’S REPORT: Approval of Minutes: Moved by Ms. Gardner to approve the minutes of March 15, 2011 as submitted. MOTION CARRIED Communications and Petitions sent and received since the last meeting: 1. Affidavit of Disclosure submitted by Jeff Schwarz of the Lansing Board of Water and Light The Board reviewed the Affidavit of Disclosure and determined that Mr. Schwarz should remove himself from any purchasing decisions where there is a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof. Moved by Mr. Folkers to send a letter to Mr. Schwarz advising him that he should remove himself from any purchasing decisions where there is a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof and receive and place on file the Affidavit of Disclosure with no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED 2. Affidavit of Disclosure submitted by Joel McDowell of the Lansing Board of Water and Light The Board reviewed the Affidavit of Disclosure and found no issues to further debate or discuss. Moved by Ms. Gardner to receive and place on file the Affidavit of Disclosure with no further action needed, and send the standard letter related thereto. MOTION CARRIED 3. Statements of Financial Interests with no items listed from: Kevin Reeves, Chief Deputy City Clerk Terri Singleton, Director, Human Resources Brigham Smith, City Attorney Arnold C. Yerxa, Internal Auditor, City Council Chad Gamble, Director, Public Service Murdock Jemerson, Director, Parks & Recreation Philip Perkins, BWL Director of Internal Audit J. Peter Lark, BWL General Manager M. Denise Griffin, BWL Corporate Secretary Danielle Stubbs, Principal Clerk, City Council Jason Gabriel, City TV Videographer Teresa Szymanski, Police Chief William T. Cochran, Fire Chief The Board determined which Statements of Financial Interests had acknowledgements of the receipt of Common Ground Tickets. Moved by Mr. Bicy to move the Statements of Financial Interests submitted by Renee Freeman, Virg Bernero and Randal Hannan to the group of Statements of Financial Interests with the acknowledgement of the receipt of Common Ground Tickets. MOTION CARRIED Moved by Mr. Bicy to receive and place on file the Statements of Financial Interests with no items listed with no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED 4. Statements of Financial Interests with the acknowledgement of the receipt of Common Ground Tickets from: Renee Freeman, Office Manager, Mayor's Office Virg Bernero, Mayor Randal Hannan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor's Office Eric Hewitt, Council Member Kathie Dunbar, Council Member Joan Jackson Johnson, Director, Human Relations and Community Services Carol Wood, Council Member Chris Swope, City Clerk Joe McDonald, Mayoral Outreach Coordinator Gerald Ambrose, Mayoral Executive Assistant and Director, Finance Tina Houghton, Council Member Derrick Quinney, Council Member Brian Jeffries, Council Member The Board examined the Statements of Financial Interests to determine if there were any other items that needed further discussion. Moved by Ms. Adams Simon to include Joe McDonald and Gerald Ambrose in the group of Statements of Financial Interests with the acknowledgement of the receipt of Common Ground Tickets MOTION CARRIED Moved by Mr. Bicy to send letters to those listed above which suggests that they be mindful of the impression receipt of gifts with such a high dollar value could beget. MOTION CARRIED The Board wondered if the list of those receiving Common Ground Tickets is complete since Council Members A’Lynne Robinson and Jessica Yorko did not disclose receipt of tickets. The Board asked Deputy City Attorney Kulhanek if he could get a complete list of those who received Common Ground Tickets last year. 5. Statements of Financial Interests from: A’Lynne Robinson, Council Member The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further debate or discuss beyond the question of whether Ms. Robinson received Common Ground tickets. The Board will await a follow-up by Deputy City Attorney Kulhanek regarding that matter separately. Moved by Ms. Adams Simon to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED T. Dominic Cochran, City TV Manager The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further debate or discuss. Moved by Mr. Folkers to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED Antonia Kraus, Treasurer The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further debate or discuss. Moved by Mr. Bicy to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED Maria Irish, Assessor The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further 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 Diana Bitely, Administrative Assistant, City Council The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further debate or discuss. Moved by Ms. Gardner to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED Robert Johnson, Director, Planning & Neighborhood Development The Board reviewed Mr. Johnson’s permit and discussed whether there was any conflict of interest due to him being the Director of the department that issues the permit. The Board decided to hold off on further discussions on this item until Deputy City Attorney Kulhanek could gather additional information from Mr. Johnson. Jessica Yorko, Council Member The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Interests and found no issues to further debate or discuss beyond the question of whether Ms. Yorko received Common Ground tickets. The Board will await a follow-up by Deputy City Attorney Kulhanek regarding that matter separately. Moved by Mr. Folkers to receive and place on file the Statement of Financial Interests and send a letter stating no further action needed. MOTION CARRIED CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: CHAIR’S REPORT: TABLED ITEMS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Revision of the Affidavit of Disclosure No action was taken on this item. 2. Revision of the Ethics Ordinance - General Discussion on Ethics No action was taken on this item. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Board Member Term Expirations Board members discussed their term expiration dates and discussed electing officers for the 2011-2012 year. Moved by Ms. Gardner to extend the term of the current officers until the next meeting at which there is a quorum. MOTION CARRIED BOARD ROUND TABLE ADJOURNED 6:35 P.M.