WASHINGTON STATE

 EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

2425 Bristol Court SW– 4th Floor Conference Room – Olympia, WA

January 10, 2020

Regular Meeting Minutes

 

A.    Preliminary Business

1.     Roll Call

The regular meeting of the Washington State Executive Ethics Board (Board) was called to order by Chair Battan at 9:00 a.m.  In attendance were Members Lisa Marsh and Jan Jutte. Vice Chair Gerri Davis and Member Anna Dudek Ross were absent. Board staff in attendance included:  Executive Director Kate Reynolds, Assistant Attorney General Michelle Carr, Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer, Investigators David Killeen and Bobby Frye and Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant.

 

Chair Battan introduced and welcomed new member Jan Jutte. Member Jutte provided a brief bio stating she spent 32 years at the State Auditor’s Office, including two years as Acting State Auditor.  She added that she is excited to have the opportunity to work in public service again and looks forward to serving on the Board.

 

2.     Approval of Agenda

Kate Reynolds requested that items C. Election of Officers and E. Reasonable Cause Determination Form Discussion be tabled until the next meeting.

 

Motion 20-001 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board approved the January 10, 2020 agenda as amended.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.     Approval of the November 8, 2019 Meeting Minutes

 

The approval of the November 8, 2019 meeting minutes was tabled until the next meeting.

 

B.    Enforcement Matters

Motion for Summary Judgment

EEB Case 2018-022 Ray White

Administrative Law Judge TJ Martin presided over oral arguments on a Motion for Summary Judgment regarding EEB Case 2018-022 Ray White.

A written order will be issued in the matter.

Stipulation

EEB Case No. 2019-008 Toni Snowden

Investigator Bobby Frye briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Toni Snowden.  Ms. Snowden agreed that she may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by using state resources for personal gain including for her outside bakery business. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $2,500 with $1,000 suspended.

Reconsideration

Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer presented a letter to the Board requesting reconsideration in EEB Case 2018-014 Nancy Nelson.

The Board deferred action on the enforcement matters until after their closed session.

 

D.    Policy Reviews

Ruthann Bryant presented the Department of Labor and Industries Private Use of State Resources policy and recommended approval.

 

Member Marsh requested clarification on the Department of Labor and Industries team building activities for organizational effectiveness and in their use of state resources advertising section.

 

HR Liability Prevention Manager Darcy Worms was present and commented that she will make the requested changes and bring the policy back at the March meeting.

 

Ms. Bryant also presented Lower Columbia College’s Employee Acceptable Use: Information Systems and Services policy.  She noted that the College also has an Ethics Code of Conduct policy that will be before the Board at a future meeting.   

 

Member Marsh requested that the Board consider both policies at the same time.

 

F.    Staff Reports

Executive Director Kate Reynolds reported on new training options and noted that she has been busy with requests for Executive level training. She also noted that the Legislative session starts on January 13 and she will be monitoring any bills that may have an affect on the Ethics in Public Service Act.

No other staff reports were given.

G.    Public Comment/Board Member Comment

No public or Board Member comments were given.

H.    Closed Session

At 10:13 a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session. 

At 11:12 a.m. the Board returned to regular session and reported the following:

 

Motion 20-002 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board found Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2019-024 Glenn Jackson.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-003 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board found Reasonable Cause under $500 in EEB Case 2019-025 Christina Sciabarra.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-004 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board determined that the complaint is obviously unfounded or frivolous and dismisses EEB Case 2019-026 Melissa Jewel.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-005 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board found Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2019-032 Deborah Wentworth.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-006 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board determined that the complaint is obviously unfounded or frivolous and dismisses EEB Case 2019-039 Alexander Wittmann.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-007 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board found Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2019-044 Breyan Haizlip.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 20-008 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Jutte:

 

The Board approved the Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2019-008 Toni Snowden as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

I.       Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment

There being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

 

 

Approved by the Board 7/10/2020