Agenda — original pdf

Agenda

REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 27, 2025 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 comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may register to speak on any number of agenda items, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Lizette Benitez at (512) 974-2915 or lizette.benitez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair William Ross Pumfrey Patrick Keel Amy Casto Haksoon Andrea Low Wallace Lundgren Brian McGiverin Jordan Preddy Luis Figueroa William King Vice-Chair Brittany Sharkey Secretary Adam Materne AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Special meeting on July 30, 2025. 1 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. 2. 3. 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 jurisdictional determination regarding the Chair’s initial decision that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties) and lacks jurisdiction over a complaint alleging a violation of Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct), by a City employee in the position held by the Respondent, as alleged in the complaint filed on June 6, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Lauren Elisabeth Middleton-Pratt. 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 jurisdictional determination regarding the Chair’s initial decision that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties) and lacks jurisdiction over a complaint alleging violations of Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct) and 2-7-63 (Prohibition on Conflict of Interest), by a City employee in the position held by the Respondent, as alleged in the complaint filed on August 18, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Meagan Hilburn-Herndon. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: 4. 5. 6. 7. Discussion and possible action on a jurisdictional determination regarding the Chair’s initial decision that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties) and lacks jurisdiction over a complaint alleging a violation of Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct), by a City employee in the position held by the Respondent, as alleged in the complaint filed on June 6, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Lauren Elisabeth Middleton-Pratt. Discussion and possible action on a jurisdictional determination regarding the Chair’s initial decision that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties) and lacks jurisdiction over a complaint alleging violations of Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct) and 2-7-63 (Prohibition on Conflict of Interest), by a City employee in the position held by the Respondent, as alleged in the complaint filed on August 18, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Meagan Hilburn-Herndon. Discussion on Commission authority to bring forth complaints: Review of relevant bylaws and open discussion on whether the ERC wants to initiate this practice in future meetings. Discussion and possible action regarding the necessity of continuing the Working Group to Prepare Calendar of Commission Duties and Responsibilities. 2 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Lizette Benitez, Caroline Webster at the Law Department, at (512) 974-2268 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Ethics Review Commission, please contact Caroline Webster at (512) 974-1353. For the 2024 meeting schedule, agendas, and additional information about the Commission, see: Ethics Review Commission | AustinTexas.gov ERC STANDARD PUBLIC COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS NOTICE Regarding Public Communication Sign-in required: If appearing in person at the meeting, please sign in prior to the meeting being called to order on the sign-in sheet provided by the staff liaison. Please indicate the item or items on the agenda on which you are speaking if you are speaking on an agenda item. A speaker who fails to indicate an agenda item on which the speaker desires to speak will be called to speak during Public Communication. Time Limits: Speakers are limited to a maximum time limit of three minutes per speaker. A time period of six minutes will be allowed for a speaker who addresses the Commission through a translator or a speaker who needs accommodation for a disability. Public Communication Speakers: At the beginning of the meeting, a maximum of ten people may speak during General Public Communication, on non-agenda items. Speakers will be called in the order in which the speaker signed up. Public Communication or Public Testimony on a Numbered Agenda Item: A speaker who signs up to speak on a numbered agenda item will be called to speak at the beginning of the meeting, or at the Commission’s discretion, at the beginning of the commission’s consideration of the agenda item and will be called in the order in which the speaker(s) signed up. Speaker comments must be relevant to the agenda item. 3