Ethics Committee Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ETHICS OF THE CITY OF COHOES HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL Members Present: Charles Valenti, Chairperson Deborah Gilchrist, Member David Emanatian, Member Melody Nadeau, Alternate Member Also Present: Complainant for Complaint No. 23-1 Complainant for Complaint No. 23-2 Four Interested Individuals for Complaint No. 23-2 The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. Items Discussed: 1. Complaint No. 23-1 – The Board of Ethics heard additional testimony from the Complainant. After considering the documentation and testimony presented to it, as well as the Code of Ethics of the City of Cohoes, the Board determined that the Mayor had used City resources appropriately in his sending holiday cards to various individuals. They felt that doing so constituted a public purpose in that it reflected the City’s appreciation of the efforts of volunteers and encouraged good working relationships with other branches of government and individuals. The Board noted that the holiday cards were not religious in nature. By a unanimous vote the Board decided that Complaint No. 23-1 was unfounded. 2. Complainant No. 23-2 – The Board of Ethics heard additional testimony from the Complainant. After considering the documentation and testimony presented to it, as well as the legal opinion given to it by the City’s Corporation Counsel on the matter, the Board of Ethics determined by a unanimous vote that the Complainant was not subject to the provisions of the Code of Ethics of the City of Cohoes since he was not in the capacity of a private citizen during the alleged events of the Complaint. Therefore, the  Board made no determination as to the validity of the events described in the Complaint. 3. The Board of Ethics reviewed correspondence it received since the last meeting. The date of the next meeting of the Board of Ethics will be determined in the near future. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.