January 12, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
January 12, 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 a formal order in Re Ethics Complaint No. 24-050928, In the Matter of The Friends of Tony Hall for Supervisor (ID# 1221830) and Tony Hall, Candidate, Respondents. The Commission will consider the adoption of a formal order that will conclude the hearing on the merits that began on June 9, 2008 and proceeded on July 15, 2008, October 27, 2008, and December 8, 2008. (Discussion and possible action.)
IV. Receipt of comments from candidates, treasurers and other persons who participated in the November 4, 2008 election, including nineteen (19) candidates received public financing in the November 2008 election. At the November 2008 Commission meeting, the Commission began to receive feedback from candidates, treasurers and other persons about their experience with the public financing program and other provisions in the Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance. At this meeting, the Commission hopes to receive additional testimony that will inform it on assessing the functionality of current law and possible amendments. (Discussion and possible action.)
V. Consideration of the Commission’s communications with other departments, boards and commissions and members of the public. At its retreat in August 2008, the Commission adopted several policy priorities for the coming year, one of which was to address how it communicates with the public and other departments. At its November 2008 meeting, the Commission received some input and at this meeting, the Commission will begin to discuss what steps, if any, the Commission and its staff should take to change the way it communicates. (Discussion and possible action.)
VI. Budget discussion. A proposed Ethics Commission budget for the Fiscal Year beginning on July 1, 2009 is due on February 20, 2009. Commissioners will discuss budget issues and proposals to provide guidance to the staff in preparing the budget submission for FY 2009/2010. (Discussion and possible action.)
VII. Consideration of draft regulation to Sunshine Ordinance to clarify that a City officer or employee who assumes office and who is required to file a Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests with the Ethics Commission must file a Sunshine Ordinance Declaration with the Commission within 30 days of assuming office, and an employee or officer who assumes office between October 1 and March 30 and timely files a Declaration need not file another Declaration on the April 1 immediately following assumption of office. Copies of the proposed regulation will be available from the Commission office and on the Commission website. (Discussion and possible action.)
VIII. Consideration of comments to Regulation 18247.5 proposed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to clarify the statutory definitions of primarily formed and general purpose committees, and to provide more specific guidance regarding the definitions of state, county and City general purpose committees. Copies of the proposed regulation and draft comments for the Commission to consider are available from the Commission office and on the Commission website. (Discussion and possible action.)
IX. Minutes of the Commission’s special meetings of October 6 and 27, 2008, and regular meetings of November 10 and December 8, 2008. (Discussion and possible action.)
X. Executive Director’s Report. An update of important Ethics Commission staff activities since the previous monthly meeting. (Discussion.)
XI. Items for future meetings. Commissioners may propose items for future agendas and the Commission may determine the priority of these items. (Discussion.)
XII. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
XIII. 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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