King County Board of Ethics
Department of Executive Services
The Chinook Building
401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 131
Seattle, WA 98104-1818 CNK-ES-0131
206-296-1586 Fax 206-205-0725
board.ethics@kingcounty.gov
www.kingcounty.gov/ethics

KING COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS MEETING NOTICE

AGENDA

1. Approval of Agenda

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2009

3. Board of Ethics Counsel. Kathryn Killinger

4. 2009 Financial Disclosure Program

   • Final Report
   • Requests for Suspension
   • Non-Compliance Show Cause Letters

5. Statement of Principles. Status report

6. Board of Ethics Membership Terms

7. Staff Report

   • Staff informational response summary
   • Ethics presentations to department leadership teams
   • Ombudsman findings on complaint 2009-00219
   • Meetings with executive and County Council
   • King County Board of Ethics 2008 Annual Report
   • King County Office of Citizen Complaints - Triannual Report
   • Staff schedule in May and future meetings

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
Department of Executive Services
The Chinook Building
401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 131
Seattle, WA 98104-1818 CNK-ES-0131
206-296-1586 Fax 206-205-0725
board.ethics@kingcounty.gov
www.kingcounty.gov/ethics

Minutes of the April 20, 2009, meeting of the King County Board of Ethics

The April 20, 2009, 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:

Ron Carlson
Gunbjorg Ladstein
Bruce Laing
Lois Price Spratlen, Ph.D., Chair

Anne J. Watanabe had an excused absence.

Others in attendance:
Catherine A. Clemens, Executive Director, Board of Ethics
Kathryn Killinger, Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Board Counsel
Michael Strouse, Administrator, Department of Executive Services

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

2. Approval of Special Meeting and Annual Retreat Minutes of February 2, 2009. With minor corrections, Mr. Carlson moved and Mr. Laing seconded that the board approve the February 2, 2009, special meeting and annual retreat minutes. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the minutes were approved.

3. Board of Ethics Counsel. Ms. Clemens introduced Kathryn Killinger, newly appointed counsel to the Board of Ethics. Ms. Killinger joined the Prosecutor's Office - Civil Division in June 1987 as a land use attorney. Since September 1989, Kathryn has continuously maintained the role as the primary attorney for the Solid Waste Division handling legal matters for that utility including but not limited to environmental, real estate, and business. During her tenure with the PAO, Kathryn has represented more than a dozen County agencies. Currently, in addition to her work with the Solid Waste Division, Kathryn also represents the Noxious Weed Control Board, King County Procurement (related to Solid Waste Division CIP) and, most recently, the Board of Ethics. The Board welcomed Ms. Killinger, citing the importance of counsel to the board and ethics staff and past positive working relationships, most recently with Alan Abrams.

4. 2009 Financial Disclosure Program. Ms. Clemens briefed the board on the year's financial disclosure program and distributed the 2009 final report to county leadership. The report outlines in detail the overall program; training and education; notifications, reminders and reports; the review and audit process; compliance rates; penalties; follow-up actions by the ethics board; recommendations for improvement; and appreciation for all who helped the county achieve success. As of the April 15th deadline at 4:30 p.m., 99.5% of 3,404 individuals required to file were in compliance. Of the 12 individuals who failed to file in a timely way, five were employees and 12 were board and/or commission members. On April 16, the ethics office sent letters under the signature of Chair Price Spratlen to all 12 individuals requiring them to either file a statement within two weeks or to show cause why they should not be required to file. An appropriate form was included with the letters. Ms. Clemens distributed samples of the show cause letters for both employees and board members at the meeting. On May 4, the office will send letters to all who have failed to file by that time, notifying them that they are now in violation of the ethics code and requesting department leaders - who are copied on the letters - to take action.

   Ms. Clemens noted that Mr. Strouse set an example of department staff who have helped ensure 100% compliance within their departments through close attention the program, good communication with both the ethics office and employees, and timely follow-through. Mr. Strouse stated that simplification of the form this year helped to minimize the number of audited forms, and weekly reports from the ethics office kept everyone apprised of the filing status. The chair remarked on the excellent achievement and process employed by the ethics office; Mr. Carlson stated that focusing responsibility of timely filing to management was the right direction. Ms. Clemens also commended Peter Toliver, financial disclosure coordinator, for his superior work during the season. The board determined that it would send letters of commendation to Ms. Clemens and Mr. Toliver.

   Ms. Clemens reviewed with the board five requests for suspension from the filing requirement, all of which she approved temporarily. Upon review, Mr. Laing moved and Ms. Ladstein seconded that the five requests for suspension be approved. The board unanimously adopted the motion and the requests for suspension were approved.

   Mr. Strouse left the meeting at 9:54 a.m.

5. Statement of Principles. Ms. Clemens briefed the board on the status of the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) activities related to the Statement of Principles. During the WSAC executive board meeting on March 19, Eric Johnson, executive director, recommended that it 1) adopt a resolution to support the King County Multi-lateral Statement of Principles; 2) create a model resolution that other counties can utilize to adopt the general principles of the King County Multi-lateral Statement of Principles; 3) work with MRSC to disseminate and collect county "Ethics in Public Service" ordinances, codes and policies; and 4) conduct "Ethics in Public Service" breakout session at the WSAC November conference. Ethics board members reviewed a copy of Mr. Johnson's memo and resolution. Ms. Clemens stated that she is in communication with Mr. Johnson regarding the November conference, and will keep ethics board members informed of developments.

   Ms. Clemens also reported on related activities by the Washington Association of Cities (WAC). She has followed-up on city contacts suggested by De'Sean Quinn, Director of Regional & City Relations for King County. A meeting is scheduled with a Bellevue city council member to discuss collaborative efforts between either the WAC and individual cities and the Board of Ethics.

   Chair Price Spratlen asked how King County's Board of Ethics compared to other boards in Washington state in responsibilities and outcomes. Ms. Clemens stated that such comparisons are inconclusive since the functions can vary a great deal. Mr. Laing suggested that a graduate student conduct such a comparison and Chair Price Spratlen stated that she would address the request to the University of Washington's dean of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Administration.

   The board agreed that letters of appreciation will be written and sent to Eric Johnson, De'Sean Quinn, as well as County Council member Jane Hague for her part in putting the Statement of Principles forward to the WSAC executive board in 2007.

6. Board of Ethics Membership Terms. Ms. Clemens briefed the board regarding membership terms, noting that Chair Price Spratlen's term expires on July 31, 2009. In order to ensure a stable transition, it was determined that the board would create a list of names or one name at the June 15 meeting; the list would then be forwarded to the executive for appointment and confirmation by the King County Council. Mr. Laing asked that the executive director send early notices to board members asking whether or not they would be willing to serve, and should they wish to nominate someone not currently sitting on the board, provide information on that nominee in time to include in June board packets. Chair Price Spratlen read her resignation letter and promised to send a copy to each board member. In reply to the letter, Mr. Laing commented that the educational framework founded on the UW Ombudsman's office is an important footnote in the Board of Ethics history. Ms. Clemens thanked Dr. Price Spratlen for her phenomenal work as a board member and chair since 1994, noting that the chair's work in establishing relationships with county leadership paved the way for the work of the staff and office.

7. Staff Report. Staff informational response summary. The executive director issued 40 written staff informational responses (SIR) between November 10, 2008 and April 13, 2009, as requested by employees and elected officials of King County. Ethics issues addressed by the responses are: testimonials and references (2); outside employment; potential conflict for board members (6); conflict of interest with official position (4); use of county resources (email) (3); use of county resources (campaign activities/lobbying) (9); use of county resources (private business) (3); use of county resources (interoffice mail); use of county resources (produce delivery on site); receipt of gifts (2); disposal of county surplus, recycled materials and lost and found items (4); donating sick/vacation time to fellow employees; solicitations and donations from private businesses; nepotism; and jurisdictional issues. Ethics presentations to department leadership teams. Every other year, the director requests time during department leadership team meetings to share information and informally discuss ethics issues affecting their agency. Thus far, she has met with teams from OIRM, DDES, DJA, Assessor's Office; PAO, DES, DOT, DCHS and the Sheriff's Office. Meetings are schedule in May with DNRP, DAJD and Public Health. Total numbers reveal the involvement of 12 departments and about 145 top management personnel. The Chair commended this effort as promoting transparency and useful dialog. Ombudsman's findings on complaint 2009-00219. The findings were acknowledged; no action was taken. Meetings with executive and County Council. Due to the anticipated change in executive leadership, no meetings have been scheduled. King County Board of Ethics 2008 Annual Report. The annual report found in board packets was acknowledged; no action was taken. King County Office of Citizen Complaints - Triannual Report. The annual report found in board packets was acknowledged; no action was taken. Staff schedule in May and future meetings. The board determined that the May meet shall be canceled, and that the annual leadership reception shall be held on the regularly scheduled meeting date of September 21.

Mr. Carlson moved and Mr. Laing seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The board unanimously approved the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 10:59 a.m.

Approved this ­­15th day of June, 2009, by the King County Board of Ethics.

Signed for the Board:__________________________________________________
Anne Watanabe, Acting Chair