Meeting Minutes: EEB Meeting 11/12/2010

WASHINGTON STATE

 EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

1110 Capitol Way S– 4th Floor Video Conference Room – Olympia, WA

 

November 12, 2010

Regular Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

A.   Preliminary Business

1.    Roll Call

The regular meeting of the Washington State Executive Ethics Board (EEB) was called to order by Vice Chair Michael Connelly at 9:00 a.m.  In attendance were Members Neil Gorrell, Martin Biegelman and Matthew Williams III. Board staff in attendance included:  Executive Director Melanie de Leon, Senior Assistant Attorney General Mary Tennyson, Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant and Assistant Attorney General Kate Reynolds. 

 

2.    Approval of Agenda

 

Motion 10-032 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Williams:

 

The Board approves the November 12, 2010 agenda as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.    Approval of the September 17 and October 12, 2010 Meeting Minutes

        

Motion 10-033 Moved by Member Biegelman, seconded by Member Gorrell:

 

The Board approves the September 17 and October 12, 2010 minutes as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.   Election of Officers

Motion 10-034 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Biegelman:

 

The Board elects Michael Connelly as the Chair of the Executive Ethics Board effective January 1, 2011.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 10-035 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Williams:

 

The Board elects Martin Biegelman as the Vice Chair of the Executive Ethics Board effective January 1, 2011.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

C.   Advisory Opinion Review

Melanie de Leon briefly summarized honorarium and use of state resources previously discussed at the last three meetings.  She also provided comments regarding the proposed update. The new Board Counsel requested an opportunity to review the comments received from state agencies before the Board takes any final action on the opinion.  The Board will discuss counsel’s findings at their January 14, 2011 meeting.

 

D.   Performance Measure Discussion

Ms. de Leon also provided an update on the performance metrics plan and surveys that have been deployed to state agencies. Staff has developed four versions on the survey, focusing on agency leadership, HR managers, state employees and Legislators.  She also noted that a new home page has been developed and released for the Board’s website.  The new page includes a public survey and an interactive blog.

E.   Policy Reviews

Melanie de Leon summarized a draft Office of the Attorney General policy previously discussed at the September meeting.  She noted that the changes requested by the Board were incorporated in the new draft.  

Motion 10-036 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Biegelman:

 

The Board approves the Office of the Attorney General Social Networking Policy as presented. 

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

F.    Staff Reports

1.  Executive Director’s Report

Melanie de Leon introduced new Board prosecutor Kate Reynolds.  She also noted that with the current budget situation and our vacant investigator position, she is currently investigating cases.

 

 

 

2.  AAG Report

No AAG reports were given.

 

3.  Other Staff Reports

No staff reports were given.

 

G.   Public Comment/Board Member Comment

Shea Richardson with the Department of Natural Resources commented that her agency’s focus on Ethics has become more important with the current budget situation. 

H.   Closed Session

At 9:30 a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session to deliberate on quasi-judicial matters. 

At 10:30 a.m. the Board returned to regular session.  The Board reported the following:

 

Motion 10-037 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Biegelman:

 

The Board finds reasonable cause in EEB Case #09-012, Paula Canfield, EEB Case #09-013, Susan Mottram, EEB Case #10-018 Jose Diaz and EEB Case #10-019 Les Ling.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 10-038 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Biegelman:

 

The Board dismisses EEB Case #09-062 Judy Johnson, EEB Case #10-015 Rex Derr, EEB Case 2010-018 Judy Shurke and EEB Case #10-066 Gregg Schriato.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 10-039 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Biegelman:

 

The Board issues an Order and Judgment in EEB Case #09-023 and 09-024, Daniel Morgan, imposing a civil penalty of $500.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

I.      Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment

There being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 10:27 a.m.

 

Approved by the Board 3/11/11