City Council

ETHICS CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE APRIL 13, 2023 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER The monthly meeting of the City of Clarksville Ethics Code Review Committee was called to order by Chairperson Zacharias on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 1 Public Square, Clarksville, Tennessee. ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Zacharias, Redd, McLaughlin, Shakeenab and Smith ADOPTION OF MINUTES Councilperson Zacharias made a motion to defer the adoption of the February 9, 2023 minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Smith. A voice vote was taken; the motion passed without objection. PRESENTATION FROM DIRECTOR OF BUILDING & CODES DEPARTMENT: Mr. David Smith discussed non-employees serving on advisory committees. These committee members do not get paid for serving on these advisory boards. The boards need individuals who are versed in local issues and concerns. It can be a struggle to find local qualified people to volunteer their time and be willing to sign the required waiver that they have no interest in doing business with the city, directly or indirectly. Therein lies a big obstacle of local, qualified, licensed and insured individuals willing to make recommendations to the committee while not doing any business with the City for their personal gain. PRESENTATION FROM SAUL SOLOMON: Mr. Solomon, an attorney in Nashville with Klein Solomon Mills PLLC, advises the City’s Ethics Commission. He reviewed the Ethics Code and provided discussion items for the committee to consider. NEW BUSINESS: Ms. Stephanie Fox, Director of Internal Audit, reviewed the results from the Ethics Code Internal Audit performed on August 23, 2019. She addressed the need for updates to the City Code as well as the Bylaws. She also reminded them that there is little to no funding for the Commission when an investigation is initiated, thus causing more cumbersome points for a change in procedure. COMMENTS: City Attorney, Mr. Lance Baker suggested that the Committee postpone voting on any changes to the Code until more information and education of the process and the effects of those changes. He stated that MTAS is an excellent resource and speakers such as Melissa Ashburn and Elisha Hodge, who have agreed to come speak to the committee, can also provide valuable information. He reminded the Committee that any recommendations they provide cannot be weaker than state law. Mr. Baker suggested that the committee focus first on changes to the Code that involve gifts and donations. The Committee agreed to hear all speakers prior to voting on any changes to the Code. PUBLIC COMMENTS (allows 3 persons; 5 minutes each) There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Shakeenab made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Councilmember Holleman seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m.