City and County of San Francisco
Ethics Commission

English

SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING

November 9, 2009 5:30 P.M.
and AGENDA
Room 408 City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco

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. Consideration of possible amendments to the Commission’s Regulations for Investigations and Enforcement Proceedings (“Regulations”).  At its May and October 2009 meetings, the Commission considered several staff-recommended substantive and technical amendments to the Regulations.  These include but not limited to identifying the laws that the Commission enforces, allowing amendments to probable cause determinations, requiring the Executive Director to notify the Commission and respondents of exculpatory information, and clarifying the process and procedures related to a hearing on the merits.  At its last meeting, the Commission approved several amendments to the Regulations; at this meeting, the Commission will consider technical and possibly other recommendations.  The draft amendments and a staff report will be available at the Commission office as well as on the Commission website.  (Discussion and possible action.)
4. Policy Priorities.   At its last meeting, the Commission began to discuss progress in the areas of its identified policy priorities that were approved on August 8, 2008.  These priorities include:  1) Education and Technology, 2) Campaign Finance Laws, 3) Communications with the Public, 4) Enforcement, 5) Conflicts of Interest, 6) Lobbyist and Campaign Consultant Ordinances.  The Commission will continue its discussion on priorities for future work in these areas and possibly auditing, public finance, and budgeting.  This discussion is in lieu of an annual retreat.  There will be an opportunity for public comment.  (Memo regarding policy priorities) (Discussion and possible action.)
5. Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of September 14, 2009 and special meeting of October 19. 2009.   (Discussion and possible action.)
6. Executive Director’s Report.  An update of important Ethics Commission staff activities since the previous monthly meeting.  (Discussion.)
7. Items for future meetings.  Commissioners may propose items for future agendas and the Commission may determine the priority of these items.  (Discussion.)
8. Public comment on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.
9. 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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