The Executive Ethics Board convened in Regular Session at 1:10 p.m., in Room 606, Highway-Licenses Building, Olympia, Washington, 98504.

1. PRELIMINARY BUSINESS

Chair Rohret, Board Members Gillie and Lim were present. Also present were Executive Secretary Meg Grimaldi and Counsel William B. Collins. Vice Chair Basu had an excused absence.

Chair Rohret asked for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Board Member Lim so moved. Board Member Gillie seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved the agenda.

Ms. Lim asked for a correction to the minutes, and that a reference to "Chair Lim" on page 3 be corrected to "Chair Rohret." Ms. Lim then moved to approve the January 7, 2000, meeting minutes as amended. Mr. Gillie seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved.

2. EXECUTIVE SESSION. Chair Rohret called the Board into executive session at 1:15 pm.

REGULAR MEETING RESUMED. The regular meeting resumed at 2:05 pm. The Chair requested that the staff report be moved up on the agenda to accommodate the late arrival of employees from the Department of Natural Resources.

3. [AGENDA AMENDED] STAFF REPORT. HB 2449. Ms. Grimaldi briefed the Board on HB 2449, stating that it had passed the House and was now in the Senate before the State and Local Government Committee. Board Retreat. Ms. Grimaldi recommended deferring further discussion on a Board retreat pending the return of Vice Chair Basu, but noted the likelihood that the retreat might be delayed until May to facilitate better planning. Staff Position. Ms. Grimaldi also requested Board approval for a reclassification of the Board Clerk position to that of a Human Resource Consultant 1, noting that there was a greater need for training support than clerical support. Ms. Lim moved to approve the reclassification request. Mr. Gillie seconded and the Board unanimously approved.

a. Post-State and Outside Employment Restrictions. Ms. Grimaldi provided background and analysis on a request from an employee seeking ethics guidance on whether he could work for, or volunteer with, grant recipients on projects he managed as a state employee. Ms. Grimaldi reviewed a draft opinion, and noted a grammatical correction on page 6. Discussion followed. Mr. Randy Acker and Lou Ann Dunlap-Gordan from the Department of Natural Resources were available to answer questions. Ms. Lim asked Mr. Acker if he had any comments. Mr. Acker indicated his agreement with the draft opinion. Mr. Collins asked for a point of clarification on whether, as written, the draft would prevent the employee from working on future grants, provided he did not participate in those grants. Ms. Grimaldi responded that the employee would not be restricted on new grants as long as there was no participation. Ms. Lim moved to approve the draft with the correction as noted. Mr. Gillie seconded, and the Board unanimously approved.

PUBLIC COMMENTS/BOARD COMMENTS–None.

The public meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Approved by the Executive Ethics Board on March 10, 2000.

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MARGARET A. GRIMALDI, Executive Secretary

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