City and County of San Francisco
Ethics Commission

English

SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
October 19, 2011 5:30 P.M.
and AGENDA
Room 416 City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco

Note: This is not the same time, date or room as the regular meeting of the Ethics Commission

1. Call to order and roll call.
2. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
3. Discussion of the public financing program, including consideration of developments since the Commission's approval of amendments to the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance (CFRO) to address the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Arizona Free Enterprise Club's Freedom Club PAC, et al. v. Bennett, as well as alternative proposals such as Supervisor Jane Kim's proposal to amend sections CFRO sections 1.140, 1.143 and 1.144. Supervisor Kim or her representative will attend the meeting to answer questions about her proposals. (Discussion and possible action.)
4. Consideration of possible amendments to the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance, San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 1.100 et seq., that would, among other things, consolidate the disclosure and disclaimer requirements that apply to third parties that make communications about candidates for City elective office; consolidate the disclosure and disclaimer requirements that apply to communications paid for by candidates for City elective office; eliminate the overall contribution limit to candidates; provide for the indexing of the $500 per person contribution limit to candidates; allow a candidate to designate up to ten percent of his or her candidate committee's campaign expenditures as compliance costs that would not count towards the voluntary expenditure ceiling or individual expenditure ceiling; and replace the 24-hour schedule for reporting spending regarding candidates with an alternate schedule for reporting such spending. A staff memo on these and other possible amendments will be available at the Commission office and on its website. (Discussion and possible action.)
5. Consideration of possible amendments to the Ethics Commission's By-Laws to change the day of the Commission's regular meeting from the second Monday of the month to the fourth Monday of the month, in order to accommodate the televising of the meetings. Pursuant to Article XII of the By-Laws, the proposed changes have been circulated to the Commission members and posted on the Commission's website. (Discussion and possible action.)
6. Minutes of the Commission's regular meeting of September 12, 2011. (Discussion and possible action.)
7. Executive Director's Report. An update of important Ethics Commission staff activities since the previous monthly meeting. The written report, which is available at the Commission office and on its website, covers the budget, the investigation and enforcement program, revenues, campaign finance disclosure program, revenues, public financing/campaign finance audit program, lobbyist program, campaign consultant program, and outreach and education. Any of these subjects may potentially be part of the Director's presentation or discussed by the Commission. (Discussion.)
8. Items for future meetings. Commissioners may propose items for future agendas and the Commission may determine the priority of these items. (Discussion.)
9. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
10. Adjournment.

Know Your Rights Under the Sunshine Ordinance

Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact Chris Rustom by mail to Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco CA 94102-4689; by phone at 415 554 7724; by fax at 415 554 7854; or by email at sotf@sfgov.org. Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Mr. Rustom or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the Internet, http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine/

If any materials related to an item on this agenda have been distributed to the Ethics Commission after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials are available for public inspection at the Ethics Commission, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, during normal office hours.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing devices.

This location is wheelchair accessible. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity, or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical-based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct. Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 252-3100; fax (415) 252-3112 and web site www.sfethics.org

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