February 22, 2005

KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING NOTICE

When: Tuesday, February 22, 2005, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Bank of America Tower

701 Fifth Avenue, 34 th floor

Conference Room, Suite 3460

Seattle, WA 98104

AGENDA

1. Approval of Agenda

2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2005

3. Collaborative Relationships with Ethics Agencies. Discussion. Guests:

• Trish Akana, Vice Chair, Washington State Executive Ethics Board
• Bruce Heller, Chair, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission
• Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission
• Representative, Washington State Legislative Ethics Board

4. Financial Disclosure Program. Status report.

5. Ordinance Related to Declarations on Disclosure Statements. Status report.

6. Staff Report

• Staff Informational Response Summary
• Miscellaneous Correspondence

7. Executive Session

Upon advance request, reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities

are available by calling 206-296-1586 or TTY Relay: 771

ALTERNATE FORMATS AVAILABLE

Minutes of the February 22, 2005, Meeting

of the King County Board of Ethics

The February 22, 2005, meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 4:38 p.m. Board members in attendance were:

Lois Price Spratlen, Ph.D., Chair

Margaret T. Gordon, Ph.D.

Rev. Paul F. Pruitt

Jerry Saltzman

Roland H. Carlson had an excused absence.

Others in attendance:

Catherine A. Clemens, Administrator, Board of Ethics

Alan Abrams, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Michael Strouse, Administrator, Department of Executive Services (DES)

Susan Harrington, Financial Disclosure Coordinator, Board of Ethics

Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC)

Ruth Schroeder, Member, Washington State Legislative Ethics Board (WSLEB)

1. Approval of Agenda. With the addition of Item #7, Executive Session, Mr. Saltzman moved and Rev. Pruitt seconded that the Board approve the proposed agenda. The Board unanimously adopted the motion.

The chair asked for introductions from those present.

2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2005. Rev. Pruitt moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that the Board approve the January 15, 2005, special meeting minutes. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

3. Collaborative Relationships with Ethics Agencies . Chair Price Spratlen thanked everyone for attending the meeting. Ms. Clemens provided background and history on the initiative to create a multi-jurisdictional Statement of Common Principles. As drafter with Mr. Saltzman, Dr. Gordon stated that she compared the state, city, and county ethics codes and used commonalities as the basis of the Statement. She focused on trust in government and for government employees. She noted that the draft uses a positive tone and wishes to keep that approach. Rev. Pruitt stated that every jurisdiction has different outcomes to ethics situations based on circumstances, and so the Statement should focus on principles, as opposed to details. Mr. Barnett stated that the SEEC agreed with that approach, and discussion followed.

Ms. Harrington left the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Dr. Price Spratlen suggested that the four boards review use of county resources as it appears in the various codes. She also requested a letter from all boards stating their agreement to go forth with the initiative and any concerns, suggestions or objections. Ms. Schroeder promised to take the matter to the WSLEB during its March meeting. Therefore, Rev. Pruitt moved that all boards issue letters of intent, as well as a brief statement of each board regarding its history, memberships, and activities, which may be used for the basis of the next meeting; Mr. Saltzman seconded the motion and the motion was adopted unanimously. Guests then shared information about their respective boards and activities.

Chair Price Spratlen thanked Mr. Strouse for attending the meeting and noted the Board's appreciation to Mr. Buck, Administrative Services Manager, DES, for sending Mr. Strouse in his place. She also announced the annual Board reception to be held in late May or early June, and invited all present to attend. She also determined that the regularly scheduled Board meeting on May 16 be moved to coincide with the reception and be held immediately afterward; that the discussion on the Statement of Common Principles continue at that meeting with representatives from all boards in attendance. Everyone agreed.

Mr. Strouse, Mr. Barnett, and Ms. Schroeder left the meeting at 5:36 p.m.

4. Financial Disclosure Program. Ms. Clemens briefed the Board on the status of the 2005 financial disclosure program, and noted the excellent work performed by Ms. Harrington, especially in report writing and effective communication with county employees. Following discussion, Mr. Saltzman moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that, for those individuals who fail to file statements by deadline of April 15, 2005 , the Board shall send a letter of notice within ten days after deadline. Dr. Gordon seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. The Chair also extended her appreciation to Ms. Harrington for her work.

5. Ordinance Related to Declarations on Disclosure Statements. Ms. Clemens briefed the Board . The County Council received the ordinance from the executive in June 2004, but has not taken action. The Board asked Ms. Clemens to research and report back on the status of re-districting and councilmember elections.

6. Staff Report. Staff Information Response Summary. The ethics administrator issued twenty-five (25) written staff informational responses (SIR) from November 18, 2004 , through February 15, 2005 , as requested by employees and elected officials of King County .

The summary is intended to inform the Board of Ethics of the number and range of topics of the SIRs. Ethics issues addressed by the responses included: potential conflict for board members; conflict of interest with official job responsibilities (2); use of county resources for fund raiser (3); acceptance of gifts policies (2); testimonials for vendors (2); use of county phones for personal convenience (2); campaign activities using county resources (2); jurisdiction (2); providing meals and refreshment for county employees; use of county resources for emergency transportation; use of county resources for profit/sales; solicitation for sick and vacation leave; acceptance of vendor discounts; post-employment provisions (2); employee contracting with county; employee with outside employment. Mr. Saltzman, who receives copies of most SIRs commented that the responses were always clear and informative and phrased in a positive way. Miscellaneous correspondence. There was no discussion, and no action was required.

7. Executive Session. At 5:55 p.m. , Chair Price Spratlen requested that the meeting move into executive session for the purpose of discussing the performance of a public employee. The Chair announced that the executive session would conclude in 15 minutes.

Mr. Abrams left the meeting at 6:07 p.m.

At 6:12 p.m. , the Board completed the executive session and resumed its regular meeting.

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 6:14 p.m.

Approved this 21 st day of March, 2005, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:__________________________________________________

Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair