January 17, 2006

ANNUAL RETREAT

Notes: Please Note Change of Usual 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 TTY Relay: 771

ALTERNATE FORMATS AVAILABLE

King County Board of Ethics
Columbia Center
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3460
Seattle, WA 98104 MS BOA-ES-3460
206-296-1586 Fax 206-205-0725
board.ethics@kingcounty.gov
http://www.kingcounty.gov/ethics/

Minutes of the January 17, 2006, Meeting
of the King County Board of Ethics

The January 17, 2006, meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 2:35 p.m. Board members in attendance were:

Lois Price Spratlen, Ph.D., Chair
Roland H. Carlson
Margaret T. Gordon, Ph.D.
Rev. Paul F. Pruitt

Jerry Saltzman had an excused absence.

Others in attendance:
Catherine A. Clemens, Executive Director, Board of Ethics
Alan Abrams, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Board Counsel
Wayne Barnett, Executive Director, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC)

Chair Price Spratlen thanked Rev. Pruitt for making the retreat location available to the Board.

The chair asked for introductions from those present.

Approval of Agenda. Rev. Pruitt moved and Mr. Carlson seconded that the Board approve the proposed agenda. The Board unanimously adopted the motion.

Approval of Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2005. Mr. Carlson moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that the Board approve the December 12, 2005, meeting minutes. The Board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

Because not all those participating in the discussion of the Statement of Principles had yet arrived, the chair moved to the 2005 Annual Report.

Review 2005 Annual Report. Ms. Clemens briefed the Board on the 2005 Annual Report.

Mr. Barnett arrived at 2:45 p.m.; the Board moved to agenda item Statement of Principles.

Statement of Principles. Ms. Clemens stated that Dr. Gordon, Mr. Abrams, and Mr. Barnett met on January 6 to review the statement and, during that meeting, they came to agreement on the language. Dr. Gordon briefed the Board on the final document. The chair expressed the Board’s profound thanks to Dr. Gordon for assuming the project and carrying it to completion. Mr. Barnett stated that he presented the Statement to the SEEC at its January 11 meeting and Chair Bruce Heller signed the document. Mr. Carlson complimented the drafters on the final version in that it addresses most of the important ethics issues and presents them in readily understandable language. Rev. Pruitt moved and Mr. Carlson seconded the motion to accept the Statement of Principles; the Board unanimously approved the motion. Follow discussion, Dr. Gordon moved and Rev. Pruitt seconded to adopt the following next steps: 1) seek funding and secure administrative/intern support; 2) hold public signing ceremony; and 3) invite other jurisdictions throughout the state to join the SEEC and Board of Ethics in supporting the Statement. The Board unanimously approved the motion.

The chair directed Ms. Clemens to establish meetings with the executive and County Council chair to inform them of the Statement and related signing ceremony.

Mr. Barnett left the meeting at 3:35 p.m.

The chair called for a break. The meeting resumed at 3:50 p.m. and again took up the Annual Report.

Review 2005 Annual Report. Ms. Clemens resumed her briefing on the annual report. Of particular note was the positive response from employees on their experience when contacting the ethics office for information. Of those who contacted the office, 83% reported that their most recent contact met their needs completely or helped them to make a decision; and over 71% stated they were very satisfied or satisfied with their recent contact based on the quality of the experience, including timeliness and courtesy.

Establish 2006 Mission and Goals. Following discussion, Dr. Gordon moved to accept the five goals as written, and also to amend Goal V to include language reflecting the Statement of Principles; Rev. Pruitt seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Following discussion of possible draft text, the Board directed Ms. Clemens to forward to members via email new draft language for consideration. The 2006 Mission and Goals will be finalized and voted on at the next scheduled meeting.

Mr. Abrams left the meeting at 4:57 p.m.

2006 Workplan and Initiatives. The Board reviewed the 2006 workplan which included mandated or perennial activities, advice and education responsibilities, and outreach to county employees. In addition, Ms. Clemens introduced new initiatives for consideration by the Board: exploration of on-line ethics training for all employees, announcement of the Statement of Principles to employees (already discussed above), and expanded consulting services to be offered to county leadership by the executive director. The Board discussed the advantages and challenges of on-line training. Ms. Clemens stated that any on-line training would not replace in-person training, but would allow the Board and staff to have a much broader educational reach among county employees not possible with one ethics trainer. Ms. Clemens will make regular reports on the matter as new information becomes available.

Chair Price Spratlen reflected on the excellent work that has been accomplished in the past year and expressed her appreciation for working with volunteers who have made this success possible. She stated that they exhibit the finest ideals in public service. In response, Mr. Carlson stated that these accomplishments have been achieved through the dedication and leadership of the chair through her efforts, good decision-making, and reasonable goals and objectives. Board members agreed and commended the chair.

Board members agreed to schedule the 2007 retreat on the regularly scheduled meeting date of Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Pruitt will reserve the Horizon House Sky Lounge for that purpose.

Dr. Gordon moved and Mr. Carlson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

Approved this 21st day of February, 2006, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:

__________________________________________________

Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair