April 13, 2009
SAN FRANCISCOETHICS COMMISSION
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
April 13, 2009 5:30 P.M.
and AGENDA
Room 408 City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
I. Call to order and roll call.
II. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
III. Consideration of informal advice issued to Enrique Pearce regarding Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 1.118. Staff has informally advised Mr. Pearce that the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance imposes liability on a candidate’s committee, not the candidate, to pay the debts of the campaign. Mr. Pearce has asked that the Commission reconsider staff’s advice. The advice letter is available at the Commission office as well as on the Commission website. (Discussion and possible action.)
IV. Consideration of formal advice letter regarding the application of the compensated advocacy ban (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code section 3.224) to a member of the Board of Examiners. Patrick Buscovich, a structural engineer who has been appointed to the Board of Examiners, Department of Building Inspection, has requested a waiver that would allow him to represent private parties before City officers and employees as part of his duties as a structural engineer while serving on the Board of Examiners. Because members of the Board of Examiners are not officers of the City, staff has drafted a letter concluding that Mr. Buscovich is not subject to the compensated advocacy ban. Should the Commission determine instead that a member of the Board of Examiners is subject to the ban, staff has prepared a report recommending that the Commission grant a waiver. The draft advice letter and staff report are available at the Commission office as well as on the Commission web site. (Discussion and possible action.)
V. Consideration of possible amendments to Lobbyist Ordinance. At its last meeting, the Commission continued its consideration of proposed amendments to the Lobbyist Ordinance, receiving public comment on several proposed modifications, including, but not limited to, changes to the definitions of “lobbyist” and “contacts,” as well as changes to the exceptions to contacts, gift limits, registration requirements, registration information, fees, reporting, training, lobbying by campaign consultants, record retention and statutes of limitations. At this meeting, the Commission will continue its consideration of those proposals and new possible amendments to the Ordinance. The draft amendments and a supplemental staff memo will be available at the Commission office as well as on the Commission website. (Discussion and possible action.) (Packet of supporting documents ) (PDF) (2.1mb)
VI. Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of March 9, 2009. (Discussion and possible action.)
VII. Executive Director’s Report. An update of important Ethics Commission staff activities since the previous monthly meeting. (Discussion.)
VIII. Items for future meetings. Commissioners may propose items for future agendas and the Commission may determine the priority of these items. (Discussion.)
IX. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
X. 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 Frank Darby 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. Darby 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.sfgov.org/ethics
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