January 15, 2005

KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

ANNUAL RETREAT

When: Saturday, January 15, 2005

8:30 a.m. -- 12:00 noon

Where : Horizon House

900 University Street , Sky Lounge

Seattle , WA 98101

Notes:Please Note Change of Usual Day, Time and Location

For directions or questions, please contact the ethics office

AGENDA

Upon advance request, reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities

are available by calling (206) 296-1586 or 771 TTY

ALTERNATE FORMATS AVAILABLE

Minutes of the January 15, 2005, Special Meeting

of the King County Board of Ethics

The January 15, 2005, special meeting and annual retreat of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 9:12 a.m. Board members in attendance were:

Lois Price Spratlen, PhD, Chair

Margaret T. Gordon, PhD

Rev. Paul F. Pruitt

Jerry Saltzman

Roland H. Carlson had an excused absence.

Others in attendance:

James J. Buck, Administrative Services Manager, Department of Executive Services

Trish Akana, Vice Chair, Washington State Executive Ethics Board (WSEEB)

Bruce Heller, Chair, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC)

Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, SEEC

1. Approval of Agenda. Rev. Pruitt moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that the Board approve the proposed agenda. The Board unanimously adopted the motion.

Chair Price Spratlen noted Mr. Carlson and Ms. Clemens, administrator to the Board, were both absent due to health issues and expressed wishes for quick recoveries. She also noted that she would like to discuss use of county resources to systematically recognize county board and commission members during the February meeting; she also intends to discuss the matter with the executive during their quarterly meeting which is in the process of being scheduled.

The chair asked for introductions from those present.

2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2004. Rev. Pruitt moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that the Board approve the December 13, 2004, special meeting minutes. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

3. Review 2004 Annual Report . The Board reviewed the 2004 Annual Report and noted it was pleased with the accomplishments and achievements from the previous year, especially education of county employees and the 2003-2006 Awareness Campaign, including distribution of the Ethics Help Line cards and posters throughout the county. The Board discussed whether or not county board and commission members are treated differently from employees vis a vis various laws, rules and regulations, and planned to ask for a response from Board counsel at a later meeting. The Board also noted the excellent performance related to the financial disclosure and consultant disclosure programs. Dr. Gordon asked for a status report on an ethics game at a later meeting.

Ms. Akana arrived at 9:30 a.m. ; Mr. Saltzman arrived at 9:35 a.m.

The Board endorsed the Code of Ethics Summary, a copy of which was included in Board packets; the Board noted its superior quality which illustrates work performed by the administrator. The Board voiced its approval of the number of written staff informational responses issued by the administrator—a 130% increase over the previous year.

At 10:00 a.m. , Chair Price Spratlen suggested a short meeting adjournment before it continued with its review of the annual report, specifically Goal V.—collaboration with other ethics agencies.

Mr. Barnett arrived at 10:02 a.m. ; Mr. Heller arrived at 10:10 a.m. , at which time the Board reconvened and resumed its meeting.

Mr. Heller, a Seattle lawyer, introduced himself and spoke about the SEEC. The SEEC has enforcement and elections duties in addition to ethics standards, receipt of complaints, and hearing appeals. The SEEC is currently reviewing gifts laws and policies and looking at state standards. Ms. Akana, a state employee, said that the WSEEB is responsible for raising ethics awareness and communication, fulfilling legislative mandates, making rules, enforcement, and issuing advisory opinions. They are reviewing WSEEB independence and objectivity. Mr. Heller, Ms. Akana and the Board agreed to work together to create a statement of commonalities and to seek a date in the future for this discussion. Mr. Saltzman suggested that the statement focus on principles versus how those principles are applied. Mr. Barnett introduced himself and noted his agreement with Mr. Saltzman. He also shared with the group a statement of five principles by Michael Josephson, an ethicist and recent speaker at the 2004 COGEL conference. The group discussed issues of respect, trust, and communication, all of which could be included in the statement.

Establish 2005 Mission and Goals . Following Board review, Dr. Gordon moved and Mr. Saltzman seconded that the Board accept the 2005 Mission and Goals. The Board unanimously approved the motion.

2005 Work Plan and Initiatives. The Board reviewed the 2005 work plan and initiatives; Dr. Gordon asked that the Board discuss acceptance of meals and refreshment and reimbursement for such meals at a later meeting. Following discussion, Rev. Pruitt moved and Mr. Saltzman seconded that the Board accept the 2005 Work Plan and Initiatives. The Board unanimously approved the motion.

The Board expressed its thanks to Paul and Mary Margaret Pruitt for making the Sky Lounge and catering available for the annual retreat; it thanked Mr. Buck for his support by attending the retreat and taking minutes in Ms. Clemens’ absence.

Mr. Saltzman moved and Rev. Pruitt seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Approved this 22nd day of February, 2005, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:__________________________________________________

Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair