2010-03-10 Board of Ethics Minutes

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5. NEW BUSINESS a. Financial disclosure training set for December 2010. Ms. Schoen advised that as a result of financial disclosure filing deadlines, she received multiple inquiries regarding the financial disclosure form and how to complete the document. She has arranged for training classes in December, 2010 in both Hilo and Kona, to help County employees fill out the form. She anticipates that the forms will be completed more fully after the training. The Board members are invited to attend and notices will be sent out prior to the training classes. b. Communication No. 2010 -13 regarding "kuleana access" and various allegations of wrongdoing by County officers and employees. Ms. Schoen advised the Board that she provided copies of a letter addressed to the Board which appears to be a petition. The matter was agendized in counsel's report to the Board instead of as a new petition because there are several matters the Board need to consider upon this initial review, including that the communication was not signed, there is no citation to a specific code of Ethics provision, and many of the allegations appeared outside the jurisdiction of the Board. The Board must determine whether or not more information should be requested or whether the Board should send a letter rejecting the document for lack of jurisdiction. All of the attachments were available for the Board's review. In a typical situation, a notice would be sent to the person(s) involved in the complaint, but that hasn't been done yet pending the Board's decision as to what action, if any, they would take. After being provided background information and after further review of the documentation, the Chair recommended that a letter be sent to the individual, encouraging that a petition be filed if she feels that a violation of the Ethics Code has taken place, and identifying which behavior is in violation of the Ethics Code, and to be directed to the appropriate code language as none of the allegations cited are within the Board of Ethics' jurisdiction. Motion and vote: Ms. Gentry so moved, Ms. Nicholson seconded, and all members present voted aye. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Review of the Board's proposed changes to the Ethics Code. The Board reviewed a redlined version of the Board's proposed changes to the Ethics Code which Ms. Schoen prepared and agreed that the revised version be submitted to Council. The Board further discussed whether to submit its proposed changes independently or in conjunction with the proposal submitted by Mayor William Kenoi, and which alternative would be the best route to follow. The Chair stated that they wanted to work in concert with the Mayor, since he sought their advice. Although they didn't agree with all his proposals, they need to work together and help him accomplish what is best for the community. He suggested they send a simple letter to the Mayor, requesting that he keep them informed on when he submits his proposals to the 2