HomeMy WebLinkAboutEthics Committee - Minutes - 1/31/2017Minutes of the
BAYFIELD COUNTY ETHICS COMMITTEE
January 31, 2017
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Bayfield County Annex Building
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Jeremy Oswald, James Crandall, Billie Hoopman,
Ernest Korpela (via phone)
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz, Attorney Linda Coleman-Spears,
Carlson and Coleman, Larry Fickbohm (4:10pm)
Call To Order by Rondeau
Minutes of December 10, 2013: Motion Hoopman, Crandall to approve the minutes of the
December 10, 2013 meeting. Motion Carried.
Introductions of Board Members and Corporation Counsel: Introductions were conducted
around the room.
Election of Officers:
Motion Crandall, Oswald to nominate Rondeau for Chair.
No further nominations. Motion Carried.
Motion Oswald, Hoopman to nominate Crandall for Vice-Chair.
Motion Hoopman to close nominations and cast unanimous ballot for Crandall. Motion Carried.
Ordinance Review and Procedure Review (attached): Coleman reviewed the purpose of the
ordinance and where the language was derived from. She explained that the definition of
immediate family within the ordinance. Section 2-4-7 is the heart of the ordinance, which
outlines conflicts of interest that could fall under the ethics ordinance. The process for
complaints was reviewed. Coleman suggested adding the misuse of county property to the
ordinance. Korpela asked what protections are built into the ordinance for the respondent.
Protections were reviewed including a response process and statute of limitations for filing of
claims. Korpela brought up the topic of confidentiality. The hearing is closed, therefore
confidential. Question was asked what would happen if there were an anonymous tip for alleged
wrongdoing. Response was that ethics board complaints must be in writing. If the offense were
of a criminal nature, it would need to be reported to the Sheriff’s Department.
Review Draft Fraud Policy / Anonymous Hot Line: Abeles-Allison reported that this policy is
being considered as a result of several thefts in Wisconsin Municipalities over the last couple of
years. The committee suggested that the County Administrator, Corporation Counsel, County
Clerk, and County Board Chairman be recipients of complaints filed with the hotline.
Hoopman exited the meeting at this time.
Discussion regarding Ethics Training for Employee / Committee: Suggestion that this is a
good topic for the April Board meeting and for new county board supervisor orientation.
Suggestion is to meet at least once per year and possibly have a mock hearing.
Future Agenda Topics
Set Next Meeting: Fall of 2017.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:50pm