Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 23, 2025 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a regular Commission meeting on April 23, 2025, at Austin City Hall, B&C Room #1101, at 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Vice-Chair Low called the Ethics Review Commission meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance In-Person: Vice-Chair Haksoon Andrea Low, and Commissioners Mary Kahle, Patrick Keel, William King, Adam Materne, Brian McGiverin, Jordan Preddy and Ross Pumfrey and Brittany Sharkey were present at Austin City Hall. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None. Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Amy Casto, and Luis Figueroa. Staff in attendance: Caroline Webster, Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney; and Lizette Benitez, Staff Liaison. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one signed up to speak during general communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Regular meeting on March 26, 2025. Commissioner Kahle’s motion to approve the minutes with amendments was approved on a 6-0-3 vote of all members present. Secretary Materne seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey, Secretary Materne, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Low, McGiverin and Preddy. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct Annual Election of Officers (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary). The Commission addressed Item 2 first on the agenda, followed by Item 3, then Item 1, and concluded with Future Agenda Items. 1 Commissioner Kahle nominated Commissioner Pumfrey to assume the office of Chair. Commissioner Pumfrey assumed the role following a 9-0-0 majority vote. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Low, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Materne, McGiverin, Preddy, Pumfrey and Sharkey. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. Chair Pumfrey then presided over the meeting, relieving former Vice-Chair Low of her duties. Commissioner Kahle nominated Commissioner Sharkey to assume the office of Vice-Chair. Commissioner Sharkey assumed the role following a 9-0-0 majority vote. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Low, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Materne, McGiverin, Preddy, Pumfrey and Sharkey. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. Commissioner Keel nominated Commissioner Materne to assume the role of Secretary. Commissioner Materne assumed the role following a 9-0-0 majority vote. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Low, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Materne, McGiverin, Preddy, Pumfrey and Sharkey. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. 3. Discussion and decision on the continuation and membership of existing working groups, and consideration of any new working groups needed. Secretary Materne will review past minutes to determine if the Working Group to Prepare Calendar Commission Duties and Responsibilities is still needed. Commissioner Preddy’s motion to join the Working Group to Review ERC Complaints Process was approved on a 9-0-0 vote of all members present. Secretary Materne seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey, Secretary Materne and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Low, McGiverin and Preddy. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel on any matter listed in this agenda. 4. 5. The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel to discuss: A complaint filed by Brian Molloy against Jesus Garza raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics & Financial Disclosure), Section 2-7-74 (Financial Disclosure by Candidates). The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel to discuss: A complaint filed by Jack Chrismon against Carmen Llanes Pulido raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance), Section 2-2-3(B) (Conformity with Texas Election Code). 2 The Commission did not enter Executive Session. PRELIMINARY HEARING 6. A complaint filed by Brian Molloy against Jesus Garza raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics & Financial Disclosure), Section 2-7-74 (Financial Disclosure by Candidates). Respondent Garza’s request for a postponement was granted by Former Vice-Chair Low. This item will be rescheduled for a future meeting. 7. A complaint filed by Jack Chrismon against Carmen Llanes Pulido raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance), Section 2-2-3(B) (Conformity with Texas Election Code). Complainant Jack Chrismon was not present at the Preliminary Hearing. Although he submitted a request for postponement, former Vice-Chair Low denied the request, citing a lack of good cause established by the Complainant. Commissioner Low’s motion to dismiss the complaint filed by Jack Chrismon against Carmen Llanes Pulido without prejudice was approved on a 9-0-0 vote. Vice-Chair Sharkey seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey, Secretary Materne, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Low, McGiverin and Preddy. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Secretary Materne’s motion to remove Review of the transition timeline for exiting and incoming commissioners, which had been noted as a future agenda item during the March meeting, was approved by a vote of 9-0-0. Commissioner Preddy seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey, Secretary Materne, and Commissioners Kahle, Keel, King, Low, McGiverin and Preddy. Commissioners Casto and Figueroa were absent. • Discussion regarding changes to the membership of existing Working Groups and the potential creation of new Working Groups. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kahle’s motion to adjourn the meeting was approved on a 6-3-0 vote of all members present. Secretary Materne seconded the motion. The Commission adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. The preceding amended minutes were approved on an 8-0-0 vote of all members present at the June 25, 2025 Regular Commission meeting on Commissioner Keel’s motion and Commissioner Figueroa’s second. Vice-Chair Sharkey and Commissioners Casto and McGiverin were absent. 3