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 October 5, 2010 – 6:00 p.m. Alan Weel The Board of Ethics meeting was held on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at the Village Village Manager George R. Van Geem Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman LoVerde. Village Clerk Members Present: Also Present: Marlene J. Victorine Chairman Trustee Joe LoVerde Compliance Plan Comm. (CPC) Trustee Louella Preston Joseph Annunzio Staff Present: Michael Fries Kathy M. Thake, Secretary Michael Siegel George R. Van Geem, Village Manager Approval of Minutes Trustee Preston made a motion, seconded by Mr. Annunzio, to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2010 meeting; on voice vote all concurred. Chairman LoVerde announced that he has received several comments/questions on the draft Code of Ethics and would like these to be reviewed by the Board of Ethics. Mr. Fries mentioned that he was under the impression that on July 20, all sections of the Code were approved and that indicated that this will be passed up to the Board of Trustee level. Trustee Preston question Mr. Fries as to where he sees this document going as we move forward. Mr. Fries stated that any review done by trustees should be at the Board of Trustee level. Chairman LoVerde stated that the Mayor did not want to have public conversation on this at the Board level in order to avoid it getting watered down. Mr. Annunzio stated that this document needs to move forward. Trustee Preston stated that the proper procedure once an item is voted on, it’s passed on. Mr. Siegel stated that the Board of Ethics needs to address policy questions. Trustee Preston stated that her understanding as Acting Chair of the July 20th meeting was that this document was approved by this Board with the exception of the grammatical errors, and once that was complete the document that was going to move to the Board of Trustees. She stated that as a Trustee, she wants there to be an open public session on this Code of Ethics before we make this an official document. Mr. Siegel made a suggestion to make a motion to adopt the Code of Ethics as is and in addition all comments that have been submitted after August 31. Mr. Siegel stated that if these comments/questions that have been submitted to Chairman LoVerde deal with policy, www.vniles.com  Board of Ethics Meeting, October 5, 2010 then they should be addressed at this level. He also added that he hopes that public comments will be invited during the Board of Trustee review of the Code of Ethics; if the Board of Trustees agrees that the Code of Ethics needs further reviewing from the Board of Ethics then it can be sent back. Chairman LoVerde stated that we have the power to control it now in addition to several comments that have been submitted. He also stated that he feels that this document as of right now is not complete. Mr. Fries stated that we have two options either send it to the Board of Trustees or go thru some of these comments we received tonight and engage the CPC in this process. Mr. Siegel made a motion, seconded by Trustee Preston, to forward the July 20 approved draft of the Code of Ethics, a running draft of the legislative history, the original draft done by the CPC, the CPC report of the final draft and suggested changes submitted to Chairman LoVerde from August 31, to the Board of Trustees. On roll call, the vote was: AYES 3 Preston, Siegel, Fries NAYS 2 Annunzio, LoVerde ABSENT 0 There being 3 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Chairman LoVerde made a final comment as it pertains to the Code of Ethics; he feels that this document has been compromised and this is not the way this Board was designed to complete its work. In addition he was informed by the Mayor to have a completed document with the blessing of the CPC and the Board of Ethics. Executive Session Motion made by Trustee Preston to move into executive session at 6:47 p.m., to discuss several Hotline complaints received, seconded by Siegel; on voice vote all concurred. Motion to reconvene at 7:10 p.m., was made by Mr. Siegel, seconded by Trustee Preston, all concurred. Comment and Discussion Mr. Siegel stated that this process has not been compromised and people have worked in good faith for the past six months. We now have a final draft that was voted on and approved. I think we did the right thing by moving it on; the Board of Trustees will need to complete this document in public. The process is in their lap and he has full faith that it will be done right. Chairman LoVerde stated that he will stand by his opinion that the document has been comprised. It’s been compromised because we are sending an incomplete document. The responsibly was given to this Board with a document that had teeth. He stated that we are not done with this and need to address this again. Mr. Fries stated that the job has been done and if the Board of Trustees feels that this document is incomplete they can send it back down to us and we will deal with it then. Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Annunzio, seconded by Trustee Preston, all concurred and the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. 2  Board of Ethics Meeting, October 5, 2010 Kathy M. Thake Board of Ethics Secretary 3