Ethics Commission

MINUTES OF NORWICH ETHICS COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING April 17, 2017 MEMBERS PRESENT Robert (Mac) Ballard Christopher Dixon Kathryn Lord Carol Menard MEMBERS ABSENT Gregory Schlough ALTERNATES PRESENT Anthony Black ALTERNATES ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson 1. Call to order: Carol Menard, Chair, called the April 17, 2017 meeting to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. Alternate Anthony Black was seated as a regular member. 3. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Chris Dixon, seconded by Mac Ballard, the minutes of April 10, 2017 were approved as presented. 4. Citizen Comment: None 5. New Business: Discussion 2017-4, 2017-6, and 2017-7: Carol opened the discussion. She asked the commission members if each felt they had sufficient time to review the information from the public hearing on the current cases. All agreed. Mac Ballard began discussion by noting the basic issue of the three cases referred back to the standard set with the Cases 2016-2, 2016-3, 2016-4(5), 2016-6 and 2016-9, all related to the Kentucky Derby junket. Mac noted that respondent Robert Groner had presented evidence of a business presentation made during the trip to Greenbriar. Mac presented his opinion of no finding in these current cases. Anthony Black stated he agreed with Mac’s assessment. Kathryn Lord offered no comment. Chris Dixon noted the presentation of evidence of a business presentation during the Greenbriar trip.  Chris continued by noting the ethics considerations of the Greenbriar trip could be argued. In an effort to give clarity to the City Council’s efforts to investigate the Kentucky Derby trip, he suggested the Ethics Commission recommend dismissing the current cases regarding the Greenbriar trip. Anthony agreed. Carol Menard commented on the lack of a travel policy at Norwich Public Utilities. Discussion ensued regarding the need for a travel policy. The Ethics Commission members agreed to recommend to the City Council that the city have a travel policy which includes NPU employees and the General Manager. Mac Ballard made a motion to inform the City Council that the Ethics Commission findings were not supportive of an ethics violation for Cases 2017-4, 2017-6, and 2017-7. He further added to his motion that the Ethics Commission recommend the council focus on the investigation into the Kentucky Derby trip and not allow the Greenbriar cases to cloud further deliberation. Discussion on the motion was taken up by Chris Dixon who noted adding that the council focus on a travel policy while moving ahead with the investigation. Mac agreed to amend his motion to include this recommendation. Anthony Black seconded the motion. The Ethics Commission voted unanimously in favor of the motion. 6. Old Business: 7. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Mac Ballard, seconded by Kathryn Lord, the Ethics Commission adjourned at 5:10 PM.