KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

When: Monday, October 1, 2007, 9:30 a.m.
Where : New County Office Building
401 Fifth Avenue
1^st floor, conference room 116
Seattle, WA 98104

AGENDA

1. Approval of Agenda
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2007
3. Outreach to County Leadership – Meetings with Department Directors
4. 2007 Ethics Work Plan – Third and Fourth Quarters
5. Multi-Lateral Statement of Principles. Review
6. Staff Report.
   • Staff informational response summary
   • Board counsel
   • Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee
   • Response to OIRM re Technology Use Policies
7. Meetings. Discussion of meeting times and materials.

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 October 1, 2007, Special Meeting of the King County Board of Ethics

The October 1, 2007, special meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 9:30 a.m. Board members in attendance were:

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

Others in attendance:

Catherine A. Clemens, Executive Director, Board of Ethics
Alan Abrams, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Board Counsel

1. Approval of Agenda. With the addition of agenda item # 7, Meetings, Rev. Pruitt moved and Dr. Gordon seconded that the board approve the proposed agenda. The board unanimously adopted the motion.

Alan Abrams arrived at 9:35 a.m.

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2007. Dr. Gordon moved and Rev. Pruitt seconded that the board approve the May 21, 2007, meeting minutes. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved. Dr. Price Spratlen acknowledged the successful financial disclosure program detailed in the minutes and the work of staff to achieve that success.

3. Outreach to County Leadership – Meetings with Department Directors. Ms. Clemens briefed the board. As part of the ethics awareness campaign, Ms. Clemens meets with department directors and his or her direct reports every other year. Reception by directors is generally favorable; meetings allow dialog between the ethics office and departments and demonstrate to staff the importance placed on ethics by top leadership. Board members agreed that this kind of personal connection with departments is crucial. The chair asked the director to set meetings between board members and the executive and county council chair.

4. 2007 Ethics Work Plan – Third and Fourth Quarters. Ms. Clemens briefed the board on the current and anticipated work plan through the end of 2008. The board discussed the importance of in-person training for supervisors and managers.

5. Multi-Lateral Statement of Principles. Chair Price-Spratlen asked the board for its input into holding another event on June 4, 2008, for the purpose of celebrating and acknowledging any new statement of principle signers, and acknowledging the work of Melissa Fisher, Evans School research assistant. The board determined that it would support the event depending upon the success of securing new signers. The chair stated that the board must put energy behind the initiative to ensure other jurisdictions sign on, or at least promote ethics in their own way.

6. Staff Report. Staff informational response summary. The executive director issued 12 written staff informational responses (SIR) between May 15, 2007, and, June 5, 2007, as requested by employees and elected officials of King County. Ethics issues addressed by the responses include: post employment, consultant disclosure, potential conflict for board members, use of county resources, filing requirements for board and commission members, attendance at conferences, board reimbursement and benefits, and donated county property. In addition, the executive director issued 22 written staff informational responses (SIR) between June 11, 2007, and September 25, 2007, as requested by employees and elected officials of King County. Ethics issues addressed by the responses include: financial disclosure for board and commission members, receipt of honoraria, campaign activities, attendance at events and seminars, conflict with official position – outside employment, conflict of interest with contract awards, employee recognition, use of county vehicles, conflict with official position – solicitation on behalf of contractors, use of county resources for educational activities, use of county resources for solicitation to benefit employee, use of country resources for health initiative, testimonials, and outside business with another county employee. Board counsel. There are no changes related to counsel to the Board of Ethics. Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee. A question has arisen whether or not members of this advisory committee are required to file statements of financial and other interests. This matter may come before the board, but at this time research is being conducted in order to assist decision making. Information for board; no action required. Response to OIRM re Technology Use Policies. Briefing on the status of the policies, guidelines and frequently asked questions related to employee use of technology. No action requested at this time although future activities might include a review of all past advisory opinions related to current applicability and a review of use of resources policies from various other jurisdictions. Responses re request for advisory opinion on solicitation for TOCTWD committee. Documents related to final matters related to the request for advisory opinion. No action required or taken.

7. Meetings. The board determined that future meetings will be held at 9:30 a.m. New meeting materials will display the county’s new logo.

Dr. Gordon moved and Rev. Pruitt seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 10:34 a.m.

Approved this ­­19^th day of November, 2007, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:__________________________________________________

Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair