Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JULY 30, 2025 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a special called Commission meeting on July 30, 2025, at Austin City Hall, B&C Room #1101, at 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Chair Pumfrey called the Ethics Review Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance In-Person: Chair Ross Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Brittany Sharkey and Commissioners Luis Figueroa, Patrick Keel, William King and Brian McGiverin. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None. Commissioners Absent: Secretary Adam Materne and Commissioners Amy Casto, Haksoon Andrea Low, Wallace Lundgren and Jordan Preddy. Staff in attendance: Caroline Webster, Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney; and Lizette Benitez, Staff Liaison. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Two members of the public signed up for public communication. Jennifer Robichaux was allotted three minutes to speak on Item 4. Andrew Rivera signed up to speak remotely and was allotted three minutes to speak on Item 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Regular meeting on June 25, 2025. Commissioner Figueroa’s motion to approve the minutes with Chair Pumfrey’s amendments was approved on a 6-0 vote of all members present. Commissioner Keel seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey and Commissioners Figueroa, Keel, King, and McGiverin. Secretary Materne and Commissioners Casto, Low, Lundgren and Preddy were absent. Items 3 and 5 were withdrawn from the agenda. Chair Pumfrey initially determined that the Commission did not have jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties). Chair Pumfrey later concluded that the Commission also lacked jurisdiction over the portion of the complaint alleging a violation of Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct), based on Section 2-7-27 (Limit on the Commission’s Jurisdiction). While the Chair’s jurisdictional determination is subject to review by the full Commission, the language used in the posting of Items 3 and 5 did not permit that discussion. As a result, the items were withdrawn. Both 1 jurisdictional questions—regarding Sections 2-3-5 (Power and Duties) and 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct)—will be brought forward for discussion at a future meeting. 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 complaint filed by Tiffany Washington against Natasha Harper-Madison, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7-1 (Declaration of Policy), Section 2- 7-2 (Definitions), and Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct). 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), but does have jurisdiction over Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct), as alleged in the complaint filed on June 6, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Lauren Elisabeth Middleton-Pratt. Item 3 was withdrawn from the agenda. The Commission went into Executive Session at 6:17 p.m. to discuss Item 2. Outside Counsel, Alan Bojorquez, advised the Commission. The open meeting resumed at 6:42 p.m. PRELIMINARY HEARING 4. A complaint filed by Tiffany Washington against Natasha Harper-Madison, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7-1 (Declaration of Policy), Section 2-7-2 (Definitions), and Section 2-7-62 (Standards of Conduct). Parties attending: Complainant Tiffany Washington appeared in person. Outside Counsel, Alan Bojorquez was present to advise the Commission on this item and Caroline Webster was present to advise the Commission on this item. Following Complainants presentation, and statement, the Complainant responded to questions from the Commission. At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the Commission made no motion to find that there are reasonable grounds to proceed to a final hearing. Having no motion, the complaint was concluded, and the complaint was dismissed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: 5. Discussion and possible action by the Commission to make a jurisdictional determination regarding the Chair’s initial decision that the Commission lacks jurisdiction over City Code Section 2-3-5 (Powers and Duties) but does have jurisdiction over Section 2-7-62 2 (Standards of Conduct), as alleged in the complaint filed on June 6, 2025, by Andrew Rivera against Lauren Elisabeth Middleton-Pratt. Item 5 was withdrawn from the agenda. 6. Changes to membership of the Working Group to Review and Revise ERC bylaws (Consisting of Chair Pumfrey and former Commissioner Stanton-Adams). Vice-Chair Shakey and Commissioner King volunteered to be on the Working Group to Review and Revise ERC bylaws. 7. Potential creation of Working Group to Review and Revise ERC Rules. Vice-Chair Sharkey and Commissioner Figueroa volunteered to be on the Working Group to Review and Revise ERC Rules and Regulations. Commissioner King’s motion to form the Working Group to Review and Revise ERC bylaws was approved on a 6-0 vote of all members present. Vice-Chair Sharkey seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Chair Pumfrey, Vice-Chair Sharkey and Commissioners Figueroa, Keel, King, and McGiverin. Secretary Materne and Commissioners Casto, Low, Lundgren and Preddy were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Chair Pumfrey adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m. without objections. The preceding minutes were approved on an 8-0 vote of all members present at the August 27, 2025 Regular Commission meeting on Commissioner Preddy’s motion and Vice-Chair Sharkey’s second. Commissioners Casto, Keel and Low were absent. 3