Ethics Committee Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COHOES BOARD OF ETHICS, HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL Members Present: Charles Valenti, Chairperson Deborah Gilchrist, Member David Emanatian, Member Erin Roditis, Alternate Member Also Present: Subject of Complaint No. 20-1 The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. Items Considered: 1. The minutes of the January 27, 2020 meeting of the Board were approved by a unanimous vote. 2.Complaint No. 20-1. The Board reviewed the documentation that was submitted and discussed the audio tape of the meeting which was the basis for the Complaint, as well as considered the testimony of the Subject. The Board found no evidence to substantiate the allegations in the Complaint and, therefore, determined that Complaint No. 20-1 was unfounded by a unanimous vote. 3.Complaint No. 20-2. The Board reviewed the documentation submitted by the Complainant and considered the testimony presented at the meeting by the Subject. The Board noted that the Code of Ethics did not specify the frequency of formal ethics training. and that the Chairperson arranged for formal ethics training on May 12, 2015. The Board recognized that formal ethics training is scheduled on March 5, 2020. In addition, the Board noted the publication of the Code of Ethics on the City's website and that the Board of Ethics is always available to discuss the provision of the code of Ethics to anyone interested, thus providing continuous informal ethics training. The Board determined that the Complaint was unfounded by a unanimous vote with Charles Valenti abstaining. The Board suggested to the Complainant that issues concerning the performance of the Chairperson should be referred to the Common Council pursuant to Section 36-19 of the Code of Ethics and further suggested that proposed changes to the Code, such as frequency of formal training, should be made to the Common Council for their consideraion. The date of the next meeting will be March 30, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers of City Hall. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.