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Materials provided by this office are available in alternate format for individuals with disabilities, upon advance request. Call (206) 296-1586 V or 1-800-833-6388 TTY.
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December 18, 2006

KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING NOTICE

When: December 18 , 2006, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Columbia Center
701 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
Conference Room, Suite 3460
Seattle, WA 98104


AGENDA

  1. Approval of Agenda

  2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2006

  3. Reporting Relationships for Executive Director and Board Oversight. Paul Tanaka, County Administrative Officer and Director, Department of Executive Services

  4. Statement of Principles

    • Status report
    • Signing ceremony - review
    • Potential conflict of interest discussion
    • Background statement regarding conflict of interest and advisory nature of board

  5. Ethics Quiz and Survey. Report

  6. Meeting with County Council Member Jane Hague. Report

  7. Staff Report

    • Staff informational response summary
    • Financial disclosure program
    • Miscellaneous correspondence

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 December 18, 2006, Meeting
of the King County Board of Ethics

The December 18, 2006, meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen, at 2:10 p.m. Board members in attendance were:

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

Others in attendance:
Catherine A. Clemens, Executive Director, Board of Ethics
Viviane Diaz, Administrative Specialist III, Board of Ethics

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

    Attendees introduced themselves.

  2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2006. Rev. Pruitt moved and Mr. Saltzman seconded that the Board approve the November 20, 2006, meeting minutes. The Board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

  3. Reporting Relationships for Executive Director and Board Oversight. Ms. Clemens reported that Mr. Tanaka, County Administrative Officer and Director of the Department of Executive Services, would not attend the meeting today for two reasons: first that Dr. Price Spratlen and Dr. Gordon felt their questions had been adequately addressed by Mr. Buck following the signing ceremony; and second, that Mr. Tanaka is addressing emergencies related to the power outage. He is available should any member wish him to attend a future meeting on this or any other subject. Board members declined to request Mr. Tanaka's attendance on this matter.

  4. Statement of Principles. Dr. Price Spratlen reported that the December 15th signing ceremony had gone very well and reviewed attendance and the agenda for the board. She asked for a copy of the KIRO-TV tape of the event, if available. The chair discussed future outreach plans, involving other counties and the university.

    Dr. Gordon arrived at 2:20 p.m.

    Regarding the conflict of interest agenda item, Dr. Gordon briefed the board. She noted that she and Dr. Price Spratlen and Mr. Buck had spoken together about the issue of potential conflict outside of the ceremony. Mr. Buck had explained that the issue was informal and advisory in nature and therefore not reduced to writing. In addition, Dr. Gordon stated that Mr. Buck raised the issue in order to prevent any appearance that might adversely impact the board. Board members supported this outcome and noted appreciation for Mr. Buck's attendance. Dr. Gordon also expressed approval of the signing ceremony.

    Upon question, Ms. Clemens reviewed 'independence' related to the board. She explained that organizationally, the board falls within the executive branch that provides staff and operational support; the board receives its funding and legal authority from the legislative branch. However, all board opinions and activities have always enjoyed independence from government. Board members agreed.

  5. Ethics Quiz and Survey. Ms. Clemens briefed the board on the third annual ethics quiz and survey and reviewed the recent report and executive summary. Ms. Clemens discussed the results and the importance of the information to the county. Ms. Clemens noted that the results will be posted to the web site.

  6. Meeting with County Council Member Jane Hague. The chair spoke about her phone meeting with Ms. Hague regarding the statement of principles and future outreach efforts.

  7. Staff Report. Staff Informational Response Summary. The executive director issued seven written staff informational responses (SIR) between November 10, 2006, and December 11, 2006, as requested by employees and elected officials of King County. Ethics issues addressed by the responses included: acceptance of gifts (4); paid travel to conference; jurisdictional issues; and use of county resources. Financial disclosure program. Ms. Clemens reported on activities related to the upcoming 2007 disclosure program. Miscellaneous correspondence. Ms. Clemens distributed her letter to opinion requestor that reported on the board's determination on that matter; a letter of thanks to county employees Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Maia for their expertise and assistance on the ethics quiz and survey; and recent recommendations issued by the Public Disclosure Commission on campaign practices. No action was required.

Mr. Saltzman moved and Mr. Carlson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Approved this --5th day of February, 2007, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board: __________________________________________________

Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair