ETHICS BOARD

200 E. Wells Street City of Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Meeting Minutes ETHICS BOARD PATRICIA HINTZ, CHAIR, Bradley Kalscheur, Vice-Chair Joanne Barndt, Michael Kruse and Whitney Maus Staff Assistant, Molly Kuether-Steele, 286-2775 Fax: 286-3456, molly.kuether-steele@milwaukee.gov Legislative Liaison, Tea Norfolk, 286-8012, tea.norfolk@milwaukee.gov Wednesday, March 27, 2019 9:00 AM Room 303, City Hall Amended 3/20/19 -- Item #3 was added. Meeting convened: 9:04 A.M. All 5 members present. 1. Roll call and approval of the minutes from the February 27th meeting. A correction needs to be made to the minutes: In paragraph 3, correct "Bardnt" to "Barndt". Mr. Kruse moved, seconded by Ms. Hintz, for approval of the minutes as corrected. There were no objections. 2. Report from staff relating to office activities of the previous month. The staff assistant reported that there were 15 late filers at this point in time. Of those 15 individuals, 4 have paid and filed; 3 filed but didn't pay and 8 are totally delinquent at this point. One citizen did request the SEIs of Alderman Witkowski from 2011 to present. The staff assistant does check the ethics voice mail and mailbox daily. 3. Discussion on Updating the Ethics Code. Atty. Peter Block said that there is a proposed change to define "quorum" as a majority of serving members. There are some updates that need to be done as well as some that would improve Board function. Ms. Tea Norfolk, Legislative Reference Bureau, provided members with a draft copy of the legislation. The proposed changes include modifying the penalty for failure to file an SEI, updating the names of organizations which have changed, removing the residency requirement for staff members, providing a simple majority vote for board action and clarifying certain language, such as creating definitions that were followed by the Board in the past. Section 11-13 are not new, but are renumbered as it was simpler to do it that way for drafting. Mr. Kalscheur suggested changing the quorum to "then serving" members rather than "appointed". That change will be made. Atty. Block said there has been some thought that maybe individuals should be City of Milwaukee Page 1 ETHICS BOARD Meeting Minutes March 27, 2019 removed from non-compensated boards rather than issuing citations. The boards fall into paid members, those who control large sums of money (like the Housing Trust Fund) and a third group that doesn't get paid and doesn't control a lot of money. The Council President would prefer that members be recommended for removal for boards/committees created by city ordinance. The Board would support removal, but it's the Council's call. That route would seem to be less labor-intensive for the Board, Board staff and city attorney staff. A redline version will be sent to the Board. A vote will be taken on this item at the next meeting. The Board would like a comprehensive draft as there are no deadlines for this matter. 4. Discussion of Complaint filed by Seth Sandler The Board met in closed session and agreed to dismiss the complaint of Mr. Sandler Ms. Barndt moved, seconded by Mr. Kalscheur, to dismiss the complaint of Seth Sandler, as the complaint does not allege facts sufficient to constitute a violation of the City of Milwaukee’s Ethics Code. All interested parties will be notified of the Board's decision via written correspondence. 5. Set next meeting date(s). April 22nd at 9 a.m. in 301-B The Board may convene into closed session to hear disciplinary matters and related information pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(b) and/or (f), Wis. Stats., and to consider and render confidential advice pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(h), Wis. Stats. Mr. Kruse moved, seconded by Mr. Kalscheur, to go into closed session. There were no objections. The Board may then convene into open session as authorized by s. 19.85(2), Wis. Stats. Meeting adjourned: 9:50 A.M. Linda M. Elmer Staff Assistant City of Milwaukee Page 2