Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 5, 2023 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a Special Called meeting on June 5, 2023, at Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room #1405, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Chair Soberon called the Ethics Review Commission Meeting to order at 6:27 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Luis Soberon, Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams and Commissioners Amy Casto, Haksoon Andrea Low, Mikki Teneyuca and Sidney Williams were present at the Permitting and Development Center. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None. Commissioners Absent: Vice-Chair Mary Kahle and Commissioner Michael Lovins. Vacancy: Mayor’s nominee, District 3 nominee, District 8 nominee. City Staff in Attendance: Meredith Mooney, Staff Liaison; and Wajiha Rizvi, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Three speakers signed up for General Communication in person and were each allotted three minutes to speak. Laura Massengale, Dorothy Lopez Barnett and Nina Miller all spoke regarding the Zilker Vision Plan. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Commission went into Executive Session at 6:39 p.m. Wajiha Rizvi advised the Commission. 1. A complaint filed by Teri Adams against Hanna Cofer raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). 2. A complaint filed by Teri Adams against Evan Taniguchi, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: 1  3. A complaint filed by Teri Adams against Hanna Cofer, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). The Commission reconvened the public meeting at 7:48 p.m. and called forward two public speakers, Scott Cobb and Laura Massengale to speak on items 3 and 4. Scott Cobb and Laura Massengale both spoke on this item. Parties Attending: Complainant Teri Adams and Respondent’s counsel Ross Fischer, all appeared in person. All parties signed an oath form and spoke on item 3. The Commission heard opening statements from Complainant Teri Adams and counsel for the Respondent, Ross Fischer. The Commission then asked questions of both parties. Secretary Stanton-Adams’ motion to find that there are reasonable grounds that a violation of City Code section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal) has occurred failed on a 4-2 vote of all members present and thereby the complaint against Respondent Cofer was dismissed. Commissioner Teneyuca seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Secretary Stanton-Adams, Commissioners Low, Teneyuca and Williams. Voting against: Chair Soberon and Commissioner Casto. Vice-Chair Kahle recused and Commissioner Lovins was absent. Chair Soberon recessed the meeting at 9:24 p.m. for a short break before starting the next agenda item. Chair Soberon called the meeting back to order at 9:33 p.m. Chair Soberon’s motion to stay later than 10:00 p.m. to finish out the last hearing passed on a 6-0 vote of all members present. Secretary Stanton-Adams seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Soberon, Secretary Stanton-Adams, Commissioners Casto, Low, Teneyuca and Williams. Vice-Chair Kahle recused and Commissioner Lovins was absent. 4. A complaint filed by Teri Adams against Evan Taniguchi, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). The Chair called forward one public speaker, Laura Massengale to speak on item 4. Respondent Evan Taniguchi, appeared by videoconference. All parties signed an oath form and spoke on item 4. The Commission heard opening statements from Complainant Teri Adams and Respondent Evan Taniguchi. The Commission then asked questions of both parties. Commissioner Low’s motion to find that there are reasonable grounds that a violation of City Code section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal) has occurred failed on a 5-1 vote of all members present and thereby the complaint against Respondent Taniguchi was dismissed. Commissioner Teneyuca seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Soberon, Secretary Stanton-Adams, Commissioners Low, Teneyuca and Williams. Voting against: Commissioner Casto. Vice-Chair Kahle recused and Commissioner Lovins was absent. 2  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Chair Soberon announced that he would be sending a letter to Mayor and Council regarding the need to fill the vacancies on the Ethics Review Commission. ADJOURNMENT Chair Soberon adjourned the meeting at 10:59 p.m. without objection. The preceding minutes were approved on a 6-2 vote of all members present at the June 28, 2023 Regular Commission meeting on Secretary Stanton-Adams motion and Commissioner Low’s second. Commissioners Lovins and Pumfrey abstained and Vice-Chair Kahle was absent. 3