HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-21 CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICSMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS
AD HOC COMMITTEE
MARCH 21, 2012
Meeting Convened at Police Community Room, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Room 831,
Santa Ana, CA at 6:07 p.m.
In attendance were Committee Members Sal Tinajero (Chair) and Vince Sarmiento and
Staff members Jose Sandoval (Legal Counsel) and Maria D. Huizar (Recording
Secretary)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Alfredo Amezcua, meet four times a year for timely review, adding non - elected
members on committee
• Glen Stroud suggested developers to register with Clerk of the Council when
meeting with elected officials; pay fees
• Debbie McEwen, process doesn't work; proposed change; later of protection
• Committee Member Tinajero noted that campaign contribution laws confusion;
clearer mechanism needed.
• Julie Stroud, what are repercussions when developers added or any others; bring in
3 -4 residents to help develop the sanctions; what qualified as sanctionable
• George Collins, video meetings to improve transparency; request all meeting with
developers
• Committee Member Sarmiento — agendize presentation by Clerk on transparency -
PIO available to community, not just to media
• Alfredo Amezcua provided a report on Measure D.
• Valerie Amezcua, requested correction on Minutes to reflect clarification on POA pay
issues that was not included in Minutes; would like Public Information Officer to be
able to answer questions more frequently.
• Tish Leon, PIO available to all; reasonable response is 48 -hours
• Debbie McEwen, odd that City Manager and PIO from Police Department
• Bobbie Kennan, suggest including PIO information on the web.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD DECEMBER 5, 2011
Motion to approve Minutes by Tinajero, seconded by Sarmiento.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS AND EFFORTS MADE ON TRANSPARENCY
Minutes of Ad Hoc Committee on Ethics Page 1 of 3
Staff represented staff report. Committee members accepted staff
recommendations with the following changes: include top level managers,
developers and contractors to file a Code of Conduct and Ethics Certificate; hold
bi- annual meetings in the Spring and in the Fall; Committee to add a rotating seat
with a two -year term; and for the City Attorney's Office to provide an annual
report on new legislation impacting the City in the Fall.
Motion to receive and file by Tinajero, seconded by Sarmiento.
3. SURVEY OF CITY CODES OF ETHICS
Matrix includes type of code, enforcement provisions and mechanisms (if any).
Staff presented staff report. Public participation and discussion ensued.
• Alfredo Amezcua noted that large cities have a review process.
• Glen Stroud, if appointed employees have Ethics Committee Review power
cannot be effective since appointed by Council; Grand Jury may be possible
review body.
• Committee Member Sarmiento, general criticism is that Grand Jury
predominantly retired resides and not reflective of community.
• Ellen Koldeway, matrix helpful; Measure D required adoption of Code, which
has taken place.
• Jose Sandoval, indicated that Code drafted as a value based and self - policing
policy
• Mike Tardiff, complaints question came up before, has not head back on
complaint filed.
• Committee Member Tinajero, addressed commissioners in question
• Sarmiento, develop method, approach across the board / apply standards
equitability, not process in place
• Valerie Amezcua, critical to meet more often to develop a process; has
"tough" measure on language, how accountable, make a priority
• Debbie McEwen, City take lead and be cutting edge
• Glen Stroud, budget line item; suggested that goal setting process be open to
the public
• Alfredo Amezcua, request City Attorney prepared complaint process and
discuss at next meeting
• Committee Member Sarmiento, thanked all for coming; be informed not
follow, discussion will be unique to Santa Ana; review only approaches and
tailored to City of Santa Ana
• Committee Member Tinajero, City is now more transparent, but more work
needed; next meeting will take place after election with complain process;
suggested that OCCOC and SACReD be invited to participate.
• Julie Stroud, request meeting before to discuss process
• Bobbie Keenan, suggested meeting more often.
• George Collins, submit residents revision to Code and have Committee
review.
Minutes of Ad Hoc Committee on Ethics Page 2 of 3
4. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS - None
Meeting Adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Maria D. Huizar,
Clerk of the Council
Minutes of Ad Hoc Committee on Ethics Page 3 of 3