Recommendation 20230628-002: Proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 4-8, Sections 4-8-8 (Appearance), and 4-8-10 (Audit) — original pdf

Recommendation

ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230628-001 Date: June 28, 2023 Subject: Lobbyist Appearance and Audit Motioned By: Chair Luis Soberon Seconded By: Commissioner Sidney Williams Recommendation Recommend that Austin City Council approve the proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 4-8 (Regulation of Lobbyists), Sections 4-8-8 (Appearance), and 4-8-10 (Audit). The commission voted to approve the attached proposed ordinance at its June 28, 2023 meeting. Vote: 8-0 of the 8 members present For: Chair Luis Soberon, Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams, Amy Casto, Haksoon Andrea Low, William Ross Pumfrey, Michael Lovins, Mikki Teneyuca, Sidney Williams Against: None Absent: Vice-Chair Mary Kahle Attest: Wajiha Rizvi Assistant City Attorney & Executive Liaison Ethics Review Commission 1 of 1 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4-8 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO LOBBYING. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. Subsection (C) of City Code Section 4-8-8 (Appearance) is amended to read: § 4-8-8 APPEARANCE. (C) A person who communicates directly [in person] with a City official for compensation on behalf of another person during a scheduled meeting on a municipal question shall disclose in writing to the city department, or office: (1) the name and address of the person; (2) the name of the City official with whom they are meeting; (3) the name of the client or person on whose behalf the appearance or contact is made; and (4) a statement regarding whether the person has received or expects to receive compensation for the appearance or contact. 18 PART 2. City Code Section 4-8-10 (Audit) is amended to read: 19 § 4-8-10 [AUDIT] REVIEW. The city auditor shall [annually] review the recorded information described in 4-8- 8(E) every three years [conduct an audit of a statistically representative random sample of lobby registrants, but not less than five percent of registrants,] to ensure [that registrants' filings are in] compliance and to assess the risk of non-compliance. Not later than the 14th business day after finding an apparent violation, the auditor shall notify the city clerk, the city attorney, and the Ethics Review Commission. PART 3. This ordinance takes effect on _______________, 2023. Page 1 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 PASSED AND APPROVED § § , 2023 § _________________________________ Mayor Kirk Watson APPROVED: _________________ ATTEST: _________________________ Myrna Rios City Clerk Anne L. Morgan City Attorney Page 2 of 2