EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD
May 11, 2007
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 Evelyn Yenson at
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion 07-045 Moved by Vice Chair
Golberg, seconded by Member Gorrell:
The Board approves the May
11, 2007 agenda as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of April 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Motion 07-046
Moved by Vice Chair Golberg, seconded by Member Gorrell:
The Board approves the April
13, 2007 minutes as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Advisory Opinion Request
Review of
Advisory Opinion 98-10 Receipt of Door Prizes
Susan Harris reported that staff receives many questions
pertaining to the receipt of door prizes, as addressed in Advisory Opinion
98-10. The opinion indicates that if the agency pays for an employee to attend
a conference, and at the conference the employee wins the door prize, the prize
belongs to the agency. It also states
that the agency can decide whether to keep the prize or allow the employee to
keep it.
At a recent training, a question was raised that if a door prize
belongs to the State, the agency cannot allow employees to keep the prize, but
must follow state surplussing rules and regulations. As a result, Ms. Harris suggested doing
further research to try to determine why the opinion was written the way it was
and bring the matter to a future meeting for discussion.
Nancy Krier suggested citing only Ethics in Public Service RCW and
WAC in the opinion but adding that there may be other state laws and rules that
apply.
Department of Transportation Ethics Advisor Harvey Gertson
commented that at the time the opinion was written, the Board was attempting to
answer only the Ethics question presented to them.
The Board directed staff to conduct further research and bring the
matter to a future meeting.
C. Staff Reports
1. Executive Director’s Report
Susan Harris noted that the issue of computer use and the de
minimis rule was recently a topic of discussion at an ethics advisor meeting
and suggested possibly revisiting the issue in the near future.
She also reported that she had conducted training for both the Lt.
Governor’s Office and the Core Leadership Team and Administration Division
Managers at the Office of the Attorney General.
Ms. Harris discussed the upcoming openings on the Board and noted
that the Governor’s office has an announcement on their website. She added that the July retreat is
tentatively scheduled to be held in the new Office of the Attorney General
building in Tumwater.
2. AAG Report
Nancy Krier announced that she has accepted a new position as
legal counsel at the Public Disclosure Commission beginning July 1, 2007.
3. Other Staff Reports
Sue Jones reported that she and Nancy Lewin conducted training at
Green River Community College for 70 college administrators.
G. Public Comment/Board Member Comments
Department of Transportation’s Ethics Advisor Harvey Gertson expressed
his appreciation for the opportunity to provide input on agenda items thanked
the Board for their interaction with the public.
H. Executive or Closed Session
At 9:45 a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session to discuss
potential litigation, deliberate and to receive and evaluate complaints against
state employees and officers. The Board returned to regular session at 10:30
a.m.
I. Miscellaneous
Matters/Adjournment
There
being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
Approved by the Board 7/13/07