Board of Ethics

“Where People Count” 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Telephone (847) 588-8000 ● Fax (847) 588-8051 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Mayor Robert M. Callero Trustees Chris Hanusiak MINUTES James T. Hynes BOARD OF ETHICS Joe LoVerde Village Hall, Council Chambers Louella B. Preston Andrew Przybylo July 20, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. Alan Weel The Board of Ethics meeting was held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at the Village Hall. Village Manager George R. Van Geem The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Acting Chair Preston. Village Clerk Members Present: Also Present: Marlene J. Victorine Acting Chair Trustee Louella Preston Compliance Plan Comm. Joseph Annunzio (CPC) Michael Fries Michael Siegel Staff Present: Members Absent Kathy M. Thake, Secretary Chairman Trustee Joe LoVerde Mr. Annunzio announced that Chairman LoVerde will not be present and Trustee Preston will serve as Acting Chair. Approval of Minutes Mr. Annunzio made a motion, seconded by Mr. Fries, to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2010, meeting; on voice vote all concurred. Compliance Plan Committee By-Laws The Board of Ethics approved the CPC by-laws as amended. Review of Section 1 (Purpose) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code Mr. Siegel suggested that numbers 1-7 be stricken, as it is repetitive language. Mr. Annunzio agreed that there is no need to outline the entire code in this section. On a voice vote all concurred to approve section 1 as amended. Review of Section 2 (Definitions) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code After a short discussion, it was determined that the definition of compensated time will be replace with the Attorney General Model Ethics Code definition. www.vniles.com  Board of Ethics Meeting, July 20, 2010 On a voice vote all concurred to approve section 2 as amended. Review of Section 3 (Financial Disclosure and Affiliation) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code Mr. Siegel suggested that under subsection A, directors should be singular. Subsection B will remain as written. Mr. Fries stated that under subsection C prior approval for employment should be reflected in this paragraph. Mr. Siegel stated that the prior approval for employment should be the Village Managers responsibility. Mr. Annunzio mentioned that this might be in the employee handbook, which all employees are required to follow. Acting Chair Preston stated that disclosure would be acceptable without prior approval. Mr. Siegel suggested some minor changes to subsection D, to reflect when the change of status occurs. On a voice vote, Siegel, Preston and Annunzio concurred to approve section 3 as amended. Fries voted against subsection C as written. Review of Section 4 (Conflicts of Interest and Standards of Conduct) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code Under subsection B, Mr. Siegel suggested the language “incompatible with” be changed. New language will be reflected on the final draft. Mr. Fries would like to prevent any conflicts before they come up. He also stated that it appears that there is an outright prohibition but no cure under subsection D. Mr. Siegel stated that subsection D should be disclosed. Mr. Annunzio stated that with disclosure, the Board of Trustees have a duty to recues themselves when it comes time to taking action on an item. Discussion continued on subsection G, Acting Chair Preston feels that section 7D encompasses all of subsection G and it should be removed. Acting Chair Preston addresses subsection I, as it pertains to Village vehicles used for personal use. Mr. Fries stated that if an individual is using a Village vehicle, it should be in their job description. Subsection J, will remain as written with the exception of number 2 which will be deleted. Subsection L will be also deleted. On a voice vote, all concurred to approve section 4 as amended. Review of Section 7 (Additional Ethical Principals for All Elected Officials and Appointed Officials) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code It was determined that this section directly relates to section 4; with the exception to subsection M which will be folded into section 4. On a voice vote, all concurred to delete section 7. Review of Section 12 (Enforcement and Penalties) of the Proposed Draft Ethics Code Mr. Siegel suggested slight changes to the new language presented, such as separating the elected officials from appointed officials under subsection A. Also “punishment” has been changed to “discipline.” On a voice vote, all concurred to approve section 12 as amended. 2  Board of Ethics Meeting, July 20, 2010 Comment and Discussion The CPC would like to appeal the following sections conflict of interests, gift ban and political contributions which are not included in the Code of Ethics. Mr. Siegel responded that he would like to see some sample language on political contributions. Mr. Fries stated that on January 1, 2010 a new law was passed regarding political contributions. Executive Session Motion made by Mr. Fries to move into executive session at 8:47 p.m., to discuss one Hotline complaint received, seconded by Acting Chair Preston; on voice vote all concurred. Motion to reconvene at 8:50 p.m., was made by Mr. Annunzio, seconded by Mr. Fries, all concurred. Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Fries, seconded by Acting Chair Preston, all concurred and the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Kathy M. Thake Board of Ethics Secretary 3