WASHINGTON STATE

 EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

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

September 14, 2018

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 John Ladenburg at 9:00 a.m.  In attendance were Members Lisa Marsh, Anna Dudek Ross and Gerri Davis. Vice Chair Battan was absent. Board staff in attendance included:  Executive Director Kate Reynolds, Sr. Assistant Attorney General Bruce Turcott, Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer, Investigators David Killeen and Bobby Frye and Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant.

 

2.     Approval of Agenda

Ruthann Bryant noted that the agenda had been revised to include a Stipulation under Enforcement Matters.

 

Motion 18-056 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Chair Ladenburg:

 

The Board approves the September 14, 2018 agenda as amended.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.     Approval of the July 13, 2018 Meeting Minutes

       

Motion 18-057 Moved by Member Dudek Ross, seconded by Chair Ladenburg:  

 

The Board approves the July 13, 2018 minutes as presented.

 

Voting For: Chair Ladenburg and Members Dudek Ross and Davis.

Not Voting:  Member Marsh.

 

The motion passed.

 

B.    Rule-Making Public Hearing

WAC 292-130 Public Records

 

 

Kate Reynolds presided over the public hearing and presented proposed rule amendments to WAC 292-130 Public Records. She noted that no public comments were received.

 

No one signed up to testify.

 

Motion 18-058 Moved by Member Dudek Ross, seconded by Chair Ladenburg: 

 

The Board approves the filing of the CR-103 on WAC 292-30 Public Records.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

C.    Enforcement Matters

Stipulation

EEB Case No. 2018-021 (Wolfe-Lee)

Investigator Bobby Frye briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Chyerl Wolfe-Lee.  Ms. Wolfe-Lee agreed that she may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when she used her position to secure special privileges for another employee by not complying with standard recruitment practices. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $250.

Executive Director Dismissal

Kate Reynolds summarized one Executive Director Dismissal in the matter of EEB Case 2018-035 Ben Smith.

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

 

D.    Policy Reviews

Ruthann Bryant again presented a Washington State University Athletics Department Staff Ticket policy. She noted that a paragraph was added to address the concerns of Vice Chair Battan clarifying that staff could not give tickets away to gain influence or favor or any other personal gain.

 

Motion 18-059: Moved by Member Dudek Ross, seconded by Chair Ladenburg:

 

The Board approved Washington State University’s Athletic Department Staff Ticket Policy as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

E.    Staff Reports

Kate Reynolds reported that Vice Chair Battan has been appointed for a full-term by the Governor’s Office. She also reported on a webinar pilot project with Bellevue College for training adding that the webinars have been very well received and attended by their staff.

No other staff reports were given.

Public Comment/Board Member Comment

No public or Board member comments were expressed.

F.    Executive/Closed Session

At 9:10 a.m. the Board moved into Executive Session, immediately followed by Closed Session to deliberate on quasi-judicial matters. 

At 10:00 a.m. the Board returned to regular session and reported the following:

 

Motion 18-060 Moved by Chair Ladenburg, seconded by Member Davis:

 

The Board approves the Stipulated Facts, Conclusion of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2018-021 Chyerl Wolfe-Lee as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 18-061 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Chair Ladenburg:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 for the following:

 

·       EEB Case 2017-058 Jackie Shuey

·       EEB Case 2018-001 Randy Unger

·       EEB Case 2018-010 Brooks Raymond

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 18-062 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Chair Davis:

 

The Board Dismissed as inadvertent and minor or has been cured, EEB Case 2017-067 Lamona Foster and EEB Case 2018-013 Joseph Lyons.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 18-063 Moved by Lisa Marsh, seconded by Member Davis:

 

The Board Dismissed as not within the jurisdiction of the Board, EEB Case 2018-005 Lou McDermott.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 18-064 Moved by Member Marsh, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board finds No Reasonable Cause and Dismissed as unfounded EEB Case 2018-030 Mary Robnett.

 

Voting For:  Members Marsh, Dudek Ross and Davis.

Recused: Chair Ladenburg.

 

The motion passed.

 

G.   Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment

There being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m.

 

Approved by the Board 11/9/18