Laserfiche WebLink
CHAIR: That's correct. Okay, that's correct. I don't think we need to do anything <br />about that until it's prepared for signature and then —and then we'll put it on the agenda <br />again next month as Communications. Okay, thank you. Item number S, New Business. <br />5. NEW BUSINESS <br />Board - initiated inquiry and possible investigation /hearing regarding whether it is a <br />violation of the Code of Ethics for Council members to use County funds to pay for <br />newspaper advertisements. The Board will consider a formal resolution, pursuant <br />to Rule 5.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Board of Ethics, to <br />determine whether an investigation shall be conducted and a hearing held <br />concerning an alleged violation of the Code of Ethics by various Council members in <br />using County funds to pay for newspaper advertisements. If the resolution is <br />passed, the Board may investigate the matter and hold a hearing immediately <br />thereafter, or may schedule a hearing for a future meeting date. The Board may <br />also consider issuing an informal advisory opinion concerning this matter. <br />(Includes Communication Nos. 2007 -131, 2007 -132, and 2007 -133, letters from <br />Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel, on the issue, and Communication No. 2007- <br />130, from Emily Nae`ole.) <br />CHAIR: I don't know if Mr. Ashida would like to start and give background, or if I <br />should start and give background on this. <br />ASHIDA: You can, Mr. Chairman. Go ahead. <br />CHAIR: Okay. What happened was that on Christmas Eve I was reading the Tribune- <br />Herald, and I noticed an ad in the newspaper that you have before you from Emily <br />Nae `ole, which wished people safe driving and happy holidays. And I was curious as to <br />who paid for that ad, so I asked Corporation Counsel. And on December 26`h they <br />informed me that the County had paid for it through a credit card. And I asked Mr. <br />Ashida to put this under New Business and see if the Board wanted to start a Board - <br />initiated inquiry into the possible investigation of whether or not this was a violation of <br />the Code of Ethics. Subsequently, Ms. Nae `ole came up with the money to pay for the ad <br />herself, and the next day, December 27`h, we were informed that — through a letter — <br />through Mr. Ashida —that she had paid for it with her own money and asked that her <br />name be removed from the agenda. And I think her last sentence in her letter, and all of <br />you should have her letter, was that she asked the Board to clarify whether or not using a <br />photo in County paid ads was appropriate. And I thought it was a good idea and long <br />overdue that the Board come up with a decision based on her request. And I asked Mr. <br />Ashida to add that to the agenda. And that's where we're at today. And so I guess what <br />I'm asking the Board today is just to initiate the beginnings and come up with a motion to <br />see if there's any violation of the Code of Ethics for Council members who use County <br />funds to pay for newspaper advertisements in which their photo is. And what we would <br />need is a motion from a Board member to initiate this process and a second, and we'll <br />have a discussion on this. <br />MALANKA: I move that we proceed with discussion on the aforementioned business. <br />0 <br />