HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works June 17 19971
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
June 17, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. by Committee Chair Barbara Brenner in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Tom Brown
Staff Also Present:
Kathy Sutter, Council Member
Ward Nelson, Council Member
Dan Gibson, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CODE OF ETHICS REGARDING CONTRACT
INTERESTS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS (AB97 -187)
There was discussion regarding various items that should be included as ethics violations.
Topics of discussion included violation of Executive Session; the use of County property; and
gifts.
Brenner suggested Dawson write an ordinance to be brought forward to Council. She
noted that Dawson's ideas of ethics violations differ from hers. Ethics violations should be public
information. Dawson stated that Council members are public employees. Brenner stated that she
wanted laws dealing with ethics violations to extend to elected officials for a period of time after
they have left office. Dawson discussed standards of conduct.
Dan Gibson, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor, discussed the Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) on the topic of ethics of elected officials. He quoted sections RCW 42.23 and 42.52.080.
Brown questioned adopting 42.52.080 in its entirety. There was discussion regarding which body
would judge the member in question. Brown inquired if the legislative body could eject a
member from a meeting and impose fines. Gibson responded that it would be appropriate for the
legislative body to adopt meeting rules and enforce those rules.
Brenner suggested wording be inserted to impose ethics rules for elected officials up to
two years after leaving office. She suggested deleting language on page 2 of the ordinance, lines
5 and 6, regarding contracts. The language should read: `BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that no
Public Works Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 1
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sitting Council member who votes for a contract shall be employed by the recipient of the
contract in any capacity for two years after leaving office."
Gibson clarified that RCW 42.23 governs municipalities and RCW 42.52.5 10 governs
state officers.
There was discussion on the proposed motion.
Brown moved to hold this item in committee for two weeks.
Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
NaDean Hanson, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 2