August 17, 1998
KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING NOTICE
When: Monday, August 17, 1998; 4:30 p.m.
Where: E224 King County Courthouse Conference Room
PROPOSED AGENDA
1. Approval of Agenda. (2 minutes)
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of July 20, 1998. (2 minutes)
3. Code of Ethics Requirement for Financial Disclosure. Discussion. (45 minutes)
4. September Meeting. Discussion regarding necessity to meet considering COGEL conference (10 minutes)
5. Consultant/contract Protocol. Discussion. (20 minutes)
6. Staff Report. (15 minutes)
- Acceptance of Administrator position
- Ethics Web Site-live demonstration!
- Request for Advisory Opinion from Department of Public Health-update
- COGEL Conference-Registration forms due 8/1/98
- Weekly article re: use of county email
- Temporary staff support ended-Karla Nemeth moves on
- Administrator vacation schedule-9/24/98 - 10/4/98
cc: Ron Sims, King County Executive
King County Councilmembers
Duncan Fowler, Director-Ombudsman, Office of Citizen Complaints
Carl Johansen, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Sheryl V. Whitney, Director, DIAS
James J. Buck, Acting Deputy Director, DIAS
Alonzo Plough, Director, Department of Public Health
MINUTES OF THE AUG. 17 BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING
The August meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 4:30 p.m. on August 17, 1998.
Board members in attendance:
Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair
Mr. Ron Carlson
Judge Paul M. Feinsod
Lembhard Howell, Esq.
Rev. Paul Pruitt had an excused absence.
King County employees in attendance:
Ms. Catherine A. Clemens, Administrator
Mr. Carl Johansen, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Office of Prosecuting Attorney
1. Agenda. Mr. Howell moved the agenda be approved; Judge Feinsod seconded the motion and the agenda was approved.
2. Minutes. Mr. Carlson moved the meeting minutes from the July 20, 1998 meeting be approved; Mr. Howell seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.
3. Code of Ethics Requirement for Financial Disclosure. The Chair asked Ms. Clemens to brief the Board. Ms. Clemens informed the Board that since the last meeting, she and Mr. Johansen had met and prepared documents based on the Board's discussions and directions. She and Mr. Johansen used a collaborative process which provided the opportunity for both parties to review and comment on the draft ordinance and associated drafted rules and procedures.
Ms. Clemens identified three suggested actions for today's meeting: 1) to review the draft ordinance related to the requirement for financial disclosure; 2) to discuss and edit based on various options ; and 3) to approve, if appropriate, the draft for submittal to the Council and Executive.
Mr. Johansen walked the Board through the draft ordinance as it relates to financial disclosure requirements, drawing attention to options associated with the various sections. The Board determined that all board and commission members should file disclosure statements. Mr. Johansen noted that the proposed requirements for disclosure were now more specific to potential conflict rather than general information gathering and therefore might reduce the irritation some members felt when required to file. Judge Feinsod inquired about the timing requirements and if the timetable worked in relation to the office. Ms. Clemens responded that the timetable conforms to current practice which is appropriate in length of time and time of year. Chair Price Spratlen stated she agreed with the structure to promote compliance by building in department participation. Following thorough review and discussion of the document, Chair Price Spratlen asked for any additional questions or comments. Hearing none, Judge Feinsod moved to approve the draft with changes noted by the Board; Mr. Howell seconded the motion and the draft was approved.
The Board then directed Mr. Johansen to prepare the final draft ordinance and Ms. Clemens to distribute the document to Board members for their review.
Mr. Carlson opened discussion about the chance of success of the Council accepting and passing these changes. Judge Feinsod stated his belief that the Board should continue its collaborative efforts and involve the Council and Executive in the process. The Board decided to transmit a copy of the final draft to both branches with a letter stating the Board's intentions and their willingness to meet and discuss the ordinance. It was decided to begin with the Executive and the Board directed Ms. Clemens to draft such a letter. The Board commended Mr. Johansen for his excellent work on the draft legislation.
5. September Meeting. Ms. Clemens identified competing activities in September, as well as upcoming significant initiatives to be addressed by the Board. Based on this information, Mr. Howell moved to cancel the September meeting and set the next meeting for October 26, 1998; Mr. Carlson seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
6. Consultant/contract Protocol. The Chair asked Ms. Clemens to brief the Board. During last month's meeting, the Board directed Ms. Clemens to provide information regarding protocol followed by King County when procuring consultant services. Ms. Clemens reviewed the relevant portions of the procurement manual relating to ethics provisions. She also drew the Board's attention to an email exchange from the COGEL web site which discussed ethics rules imposed on private contractors throughout the county. Of note was a comment from the Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission of their intention to introduce legislation to the City Council to address consultant conflict of interest. Ms. Clemens agreed to keep the Board informed of the City's activities.
7. Staff Report
- Acceptance of Administrator position
Ms. Clemens noted her acceptance of the Administrator to the Board of Ethics, and board members welcomed her.
- Request for Advisory Opinion from Department of Public Health
Although she has not yet received a response to an earlier request for additional information from Public Health, Ms. Clemens noted she spoke to Public Health staff earlier in the day and was told they plan to respond soon for consideration by the Board in the future. COGEL Conference
The Board reviewed and updated their intended participation at the conference which was noted on a matrix provided by the Administrator. Ms. Clemens distributed continuing legal education information to Mr. Howell and Judge Feinsod and agreed to send a copy of those materials to Dr. Price Spratlen. Weekly article
Ms. Clemens noted a recent article in Seattle Weekly regarding inappropriate use of email by County executive and stadium administration staff. Chair Price Spratlen noted the increased interest by certain citizens in county activities.
- Temporary staff support
Karla Nemeth, temporary staff support and coordinator of the disclosure programs since March 5, 1998, has taken an internship with the County Council.
- Vacation
Ms. Clemens announced her previously approved vacation dates from September 24 through October 4. Calls on ethics related issues will be referred to the Ombudsman's office; the office will be closed.
Ms. Clemens also introduced two additional items. First, recent correspondence from Executive Sims to the County Council regarding Ethics Board nominations and a recommendation that the board remain as is through 1998. Second, a copy of the most recent edition of the summary of the Code of Ethics. All new employees are required by Code to receive a copy. This summary simplifies code language and includes a greater number of practical examples of conflicts of interest which employees might actually find in their jobs.
At 5:35 p.m, the Board agreed to adjourn the meeting and move to the adjoining Ethics office to view the newly enhanced ethics web site on Ms. Clemens's computer. Judge Feinsod moved to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Carlson seconded the motion; the motion was approved unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.
Approved this ___ day of _________________, 1998
by the King County Board of Ethics.
Signed for the Board: _________________________________________
Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair
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