WASHINGTON STATE

 EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

2425 Bristol Court SW – 1st Floor Conference Room 148 – Olympia, WA

 

February 10, 2006

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 Chair Trish Akana at 9:00 a.m.  Also present was Member Neil Gorrell. Vice Chair Evelyn Yenson and Members Judy Golberg and Paul Zellinsky were present via telephone.  Board staff in attendance included:  Executive Director Susan Harris, Senior Counsel Nancy Krier and Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant.

 

2.      Approval of Agenda

 

Motion 06-020   Moved by Member Golberg, seconded by Chair Akana:

 

The Board approves the February 10, 2006 agenda.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.      Approval of January 13, 2006 Minutes

 

Motion 06-021  Moved by Member Golberg, seconded by Vice Chair Yenson:

 

The Board approves the January 13, 2006 minutes as written.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.    Policy Reviews

Ms. Harris provided four draft policies submitted by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission regarding Using Electronic Mail, Internet Connectivity and Use, Using and Managing Cellular Telephones and Using Agency Telephone Service and Equipment. She noted that the policies comply with the Ethics in Public Service Act and are consistent with past policies approved by the Board.

 

Following discussion of the Using Agency Telephone Service and Equipment, it was noted that the statement “usually one call per day” on page two, number 4, should not be attributed to the Board.

 

Motion 06-022 Moved by Member Gorrell, seconded by Member Golberg:

 

The Board approves Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission policy on Electronic Mail, Internet Connectivity and Use and Using and Managing Cellular Telephones as presented.

 

The Board also approves Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission policy on Using Agency Telephone Service and Equipment with the exception of the first paragraph on page 2, number 4. The statement “Usually one call per day” does not reflect Executive Ethics Board policy.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

C.    Staff Reports

1.      Executive Director’s Report

a)     Strategic Plan/Budget Update

Susan Harris reported on second quarter progress made in implementing the Strategic Plan. She added that a budget savings will be used to construct an additional office.

 

b)     Legislative update

Ms. Harris summarized legislation that may have an impact on the Ethics law. She noted that HB 2898 Regulating distribution of communications by state employees is moving forward and if passed, rule-making will be necessary. Ms. Harris also noted that the bill that would allow members to serve two terms passed out of committee and was on the floor of the Senate.

 

2.      Other Staff Reports

Ruthann Bryant briefly discussed the development of a new EEB website and indicated she was soliciting ideas from ethics advisors.

 

D.    Public Comment/Board Member Comments

Harvey Gertson from the Department of Transportation expressed his appreciation for website updates and added that the site is a useful source of information.


 

E.     Executive or Closed Session

At 9:37 a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session to discuss the performance of a public employee.

 

F.     Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment

There being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 a.m.

 

Approved by the Board 03/10/06