1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Ethics Review Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public Speakers: Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. If participating remotely by telephone, a speaker must register no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak remotely, contact Lizette Benitez at (512) 974-2915 or lizette.benitez@austintexas.gov. Adam Materne District 4 – Vacancy Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams William Ross Pumfrey District 2 – Vacancy Amy Casto CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Edward Espinoza District 3 – Vacancy Chair Michael Lovins Vice-Chair Haksoon Andrea Low Mary Kahle CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA There is no limit on the number of speakers who may speak on agenda items. There is a limit on the number of speakers who may speak on items not posted on the agenda—only the first ten speakers who register prior to the meeting being called to order will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address non-agenda items. For more information on public communication, please see the “Notice Regarding Public Communication” at the end of this agenda. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel regarding: A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Douglas Greco raising claimed 1 2. 3. 4. violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel regarding: A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Kirk Watson raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). PRELIMINARY HEARING A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Douglas Greco raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Kirk Watson raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on …
1. 2. ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a Regular Commission meeting on September 25, 2024, at City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room #1101, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Chair Michael Lovins called the Ethics Review Commission Meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Chair Michael Lovins, Vice-Chair Haksoon Andrea Low, Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams, and Commissioners Amy Casto, Edward Espinoza, Luis Figueroa, Mary Kahle and William Ross Pumfrey were present at City Hall. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None. Commissioners Absent: Adam Materne. City Staff in Attendance in Person: Caroline Webster, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one registered to speak during public communication. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel regarding: A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Douglas Greco raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel regarding: A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Kirk Watson raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). The Commission went into Executive Session at 6:19 p.m. to take up Items 1 & 2. The open meeting resumed at 7:13 p.m. Outside Counsel Cris Feldman advised the Commission. 1 3. 4. 5. Commissioner Espinoza did not partake in discussion during Executive Session; Commissioner Materne was absent. PRELIMINARY HEARING A complaint filed by Betsy Greenberg against Douglas Greco raising claimed violations of City Charter, Article III (Elections), Section 8 (A)(3) (Limits on Contributions to Candidates). Parties Attending: Complainant Betsy Greenberg and counsel for Respondent, Holt Lackey, appeared in person. The Commission heard opening statements from Complainant Betsy Greenberg, and counsel for Respondent, Holt Lackey. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, Commissioner Casto’s motion that the Commission find there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Review Commission has occurred and for the Commission to move forward with a final hearing was approved on a 7-0-1 vote of all members present. Commissioner Pumfrey seconded the …
