2011-2012 Ethics Committee
Current Committee Meeting Minutes

September 28, 2011

TCMA Ethics Committee
September 28, 2011
Conference Call

Members of the committee participating on the conference call were: TCMA Ethics Committee Chair Dan Johnson, Deputy City Manager, Richardson; Chris Sharp, Assistant City Manager, Canyon; Arbra Taylor, City Manager, Post; Chad Nehring, City Manager, Center; Nicholas Finan, Executive Director Management Services/City Secretary, Texas City; Jack Harper, City Manager, Hillsboro; Octavio Garza, Assistant City Engineer, New Braunfels; Mike Perez, City Manager, McAllen; Carol Zolnerowich, Deputy City Manager, Mesquite; Philip Rodriguez, Assistant to City Manager, Cedar Park; Dion Miller; David Mitchell, Assistant City Manager, Hutto; Valerie Bradley, Director Housing and Community Services, Mesquite; Robbie Corder, Director of Community Development, University Park; Kellye Cunningham, Assistant to the City Manager, Burleson; Kevin Carruth; Lanny Lambert, City Manager, Kyle; Darron Leiker, City Manager, Wichita Falls; Peter Kampfer, City Manager, Colorado City; David Vela, Assistant City Manager, Abilene. TML Staff: Kim Pendergraft

Dan Johnson called the conference call to order at 2:05 p.m. and thanked everyone for participating.

Dan reviewed the Code of Ethics, Rules of Procedure for Enforcement, TML staff role in TCMA ethics-related activities, and the fact finding committee process.

Kim Pendergraft reviewed the form letter for filing an ethics complaint and the Code of Ethics Complaint Form. The committee determined a complainant is not required to submit the Complaint Form so long as a formal complaint is submitted in writing captures all of the pertinent information outlined on the form. Kim will remove from Part A the statement regarding whether the complainant is a TCMA member. On a motion by Nick Finan and a second by Abra Taylor, the committee approved to recommend that the Board approve the form letter and Code of Ethics Complaint Form.

The committee members reviewed and discussed two ethics cases and established a fact finding committee for each.
           
Dan discussed the need to review the bi-annual ethics training requirement, training content, session material, and who is authorized to conduct ethics training. Abra suggested that the Board approve language for the TCMA Web site that provides information on how to initiate a complaint. A subcommittee was selected to work with staff to review and provide recommendations on the required ethics training: Nick Finan (chair), Julie Couch, Carol Zolnerowich, Chris Sharp, Kellye Cunningham, and Octavio Garza. It was determined that the recommendations would be completed prior to December 25.

The conference call was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.