2009-12-09 Board of Ethics Minutes

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To clarify, Ms. Lum asked if they were thinking of adding a section to 2 -85, Contracts, which would allow employees to continue bidding on contracts, but bar them if the contracts would involve their own department or relate to their employment. Ms. Nicholson said yes. The Board discussed whether 2- 85(a)(3) should be kept or eliminated. Ms. Nicholson said it would provide an ethical review in theory, but that it is unworkable and not practical. However, they should somehow preserve the spirit of it. Ms. Schoen asked the Board to let her know what they wanted so she could draft proposed language, research other jurisdictions, and provide options. Ms. Gentry suggested they enter Executive Session to complete that part of the agenda, and then return to finish discussing the Mayor's proposals. Motion and vote: Ms. Gentry moved to suspend discussion on the Mayor's proposed amendments to the Ethics Code, enter into Executive Session, and return to Unfinished Business after that. Ms. Nicholson seconded the motion, and all members voted aye. 12:12 p.m.: The Board left Regular Session. 12:20 p.m.: The Board returned to Regular Session. 7. VOTING ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS a. Approval of the minutes of the November 19, 2009, Executive Session. Motion and vote: Ms. Gentry moved to approve the minutes, Ms. Nicholson seconded the motion, and they and the Chair voted aye. Ms. Lum and Mr. Martin abstained. b. Communication No. 2009 -94: Letter from the Office of Information Practices to the Board dated November 18, 2009, requesting explanation as to whether the Board's agenda for its November 19, 2009, meeting violated Chapter 92 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, and Communication No. 2009- 96: letter from Deputy Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen to the Office of Information Practices regarding Communication No. 2009 -94. Motion and vote: Ms. Gentry moved to accept and file the communications, Ms. Lum seconded the motion, and all members voted aye. The Board then returned to agenda item 6a, the Mayor's ethics proposals. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (continued) 0J