Minutes - Regular Meeting - 8/7/1997 August 7, 1997
The Ethics Review Commission of the City of Round Rock, Texas met on Thursday,
August 7, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 221 East Main Street.
ROLL CALL: Those members present were Commissioners, Carol Chafin Dennis
Graffious, Robert Griffith, Karla Newberry, Frederick Ort, Ray Shannon, and Berry Sullivan.
Also present were Assistant City Manager/City Secretary Joanne Land and Special Counsel for
the Ethics.Review Commission Barney Knight.
ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW MEMBERS: Commissioner Graffious,
Commissioner Newberry, and Commissioner Shannon read and signed the appropriate Statement
of Appointment and Oath of Office documents.
ELECTION OF CHAIR: Interim Chairman Sullivan opened the floor for nominations.
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MOTION: Commissioner Griffith moved that Berry Sullivan be appointed as Chair by
acclamation. Commissioner Ort seconded the motion with was unanimously approved.
VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Chafin
Commissioner Graffious
Commissioner Griffith
Commissioner Newberry
Commissioner Ort
Commissioner Shannon
Commissioner Sullivan
Noes: None
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously.
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ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR: Chairman Sullivan opened the floor for nominations for
Vice-Chair.
MOTION: Commissioner Griffith nominated and moved that Frederick Ort be
appointed as Vice-Chair by acclamation. Commissioner Graffious seconded the motion, which
was unanimously approved.
VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Chafin
Commissioner Graffious
Commissioner Griffith
Commissioner Newberry
Commissioner Ort
Commissioner Shannon
Commissioner Sullivan
Noes: None
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 2. 1997
Mr. Knight noted that some of the current members were not on the Commission when
the proceedings occurred but the minutes do need to be approved. He added that a transcript of
minutes and video of the meeting were kept for public viewing.
Commissioner Ort asked for a clarification of the vote on page 34. Mr. Knight said that
the vote on page 34 was to change the wording of question No. 3 and not the question itself and
page 36 the Commission voted on the question.
Commissioner Ort asked that the motion on page 34 include "the wording of." The
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motion would then read, "Commissioner Griffith moved that the Commission take a vote on the
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��- wording of question No. 3, "Did Councilmember Morgan appear before the Planning and Zoning
Commission on behalf of Ms. Forsythe for pay or profit?"
MOTION: Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the minutes as amended.
Commissioner Ort seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Graffious
Commissioner Griffith
Commissioner Newberry
Commissioner Ort
Commissioner Shannon
Commissioner Sullivan
Noes: None
Abstain: Commissioner Chafin
ACTION: The motion carried with 6 ayes and 1 abstention.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 23, 1997
MOTION: Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Chafin seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Chafin
Commissioner Graffious
Commissioner Griffith
Commissioner Newberry
Commissioner Ort
Commissioner Shannon
Commissioner Sullivan
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Noes: None
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDER REVIEW OF ETHICS ORDINANCE AND DISCUSSION OF THE
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSION
MEMBERS. Mr. Knight and the Commission went over the City's Ethics Ordinance and
discussed certain sections. At the request of the Commissioners Mr. Knight offered clarification
of specific sections. He added that the guidelines and restrictions of the City's Ethics Ordinance
are far stricter than the State law.
Commissioner Griffith asked Mr. Knight if the ordinance needs to be amended. Mr.
Knight responded that the ordinance will have to be amended as the community grows but that
decision falls on the Commission and the City Officials. The only change that he would suggest
is that the Special Counsel be allowed to contact the Chairman outside of a meeting..
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Martinez
Assistant City Secretary
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