KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING NOTICE

When:
Monday, May 19, 2008, 9:30 a.m.

Where:
The Chinook Building
401 Fifth Avenue
1st floor, conference room 118
Seattle, WA 98104

AGENDA

1. Approval of Agenda

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2008

3. Board Positions: Interviews.

4. Request for Policy Review by the King County Housing Authority

5. 2008 Financial Disclosure Program Report: Status report.

6. Statement of Principles: Status review

7. Staff Report

• Staff informational response summary
• Executive letter to Dr. Gordon 
• Annual reception

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 May 19, 2008, meeting
of the King County Board of Ethics

The May 19, 2008, meeting of the King County Board of Ethics was called to order by Chair Price Spratlen at 9:31 a.m. Board members in attendance were:

Roland H. Carlson
Lois Price Spratlen, Ph.D., Chair
Rev. Paul Pruitt
Anne J. Watanabe, Esq.

Others in attendance:
Alan Abrams, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Board Counsel
Catherine A. Clemens, Executive Director, Board of Ethics
A. J. Culver, Board Candidate
William K. Goodwin, Counsel to King County Housing Authority (KCHA)
Gunbjorg Ladstein, Board Candidate
Christal Wood, Board Candidate

Attendees introduced themselves.

1. Approval of Agenda. With the addition of one staff report item, Mr. Carlson moved and Ms. Watanabe seconded that the board approve the proposed agenda. The board unanimously adopted the motion.

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2008. Rev. Pruitt moved and Mr. Carlson seconded that the board approve the April 21, 2008, meeting minutes. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

3. Board Position. Three of the five individuals who expressed interest in the open board position attended the meeting; the position is an executive nomination and appointment. Board members and interested parties shared information through a question and answer session. Following the group interview, the board thanked all for attending and the three candidates left the meeting at 10:33 a.m.

4. Request for Policy Review by the King County Housing Authority. Because the KCHA executive director was unable to attend due to a KCHA meeting conflict, Mr. Goodwin attended the May 19 meeting to represent KCHA interests. Mr. Goodwin described the current situation in which KCHA board member Peter Orser is also president of Quadrant, a company that wishes to transact business with the KCHA. Both Quadrant and the KCHA have addressed the matter through various disclosures and procedural policies which he provided previously for Board of Ethics review. The KCHA asks the board to issue an advisory opinion, or, in the event it is unable to do so, informally advise on issues of concern that might be addressed by KCHA. The board and Mr. Goodwin discussed the matter in detail and Mr. Goodwin left the meeting at 10:59 a.m.

Following subsequent discussion by the board and board counsel, the board agreed that it did not have jurisdiction to issue an advisory opinion or formal advice; however, it did determine that it would identify four issues for consideration by the KCHA to aid it in its decision-making: 1) It is unknown whether or not Mr. Orser has participated in any manner whatsoever regarding the matter between The Quadrant Corporation, Snoqualmie Ridge II LLC, and the KCHA. If so, it is possible that the agreement could be tainted by such participation; 2) To ensure that real or potential conflict of interest is monitored and prevented, it might be advisable for ongoing safeguards to be in place and overseen by a disinterested party; 3) It is possible for Mr. Orser and his company to realize a significant benefit from the agreement whether or not he recuses himself from participation in the matter, which will have high-visibility and public attention; and 4) As president of Quadrant, all employees report to Mr. Orser. Therefore, delegating authority of the matter to a subordinate may not offer an adequate barrier to potential or real conflict. Ms. Watanabe moved that the board direct Ms. Clemens to communicate these areas of concern to KCHA, and refer in that letter to previous advisory opinions issued by the Board of Ethics on related matters; Mr. Carlson seconded the motion and the board unanimously adopted the motion.

5. 2008 Financial Disclosure Program Report. Ms. Clemens briefed the board. She distributed current reports on non-compliance and requests for suspension. She also reported that only two filers out of over 3,200 had yet to comply with the requirement: Ron Hansen of the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee and Brian Garvey of the Plumbing Board of Appeals. In addition, of the seven requests for suspension or modification of the requirement, only two remained suspended. At this time, no action was requested or required.

6. Statement of Principles. Ms. Clemens stated that she had no new information to report at this time. Chair Price Spratlen requested that the executive director follow-up with Mr. Buck to ensure that progress continues.

7. Staff Report. Staff informational response summary. The executive director issued 18 written staff informational responses (SIR) between April 18 and May 8, 2008, as requested by employees and elected officials of King County. Ethics issues addressed by the responses include: references or testimonials (2); post-employment (2); statement of financial and other interests disclosure (5); attendance at non-profit sponsored breakfast; outside or secondary employment (2); use of county funds; acceptance of meals from vendors; nepotism; potential conflict with official position (2); and gifts. Executive letter to Dr. Gordon. A letter from the executive to Dr. Gordon on the occasion of the end of her term. No action was required or taken. Annual reception. The board discussed hosting an annual reception in 2008. Ms. Clemens will poll the board members on available times in June and July.

Mr. Carlson moved and Ms. Watanabe seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m.

Approved this 16th day of June, 2008, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:__________________________________________________
Dr. Lois Price Spratlen, Chair