SAN FRANCISCO ETHICS COMMISSION
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022, 10:00 A.M.
and AGENDA
Remote Meeting via Webex
**Please note the special date and time of this meeting**
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AGENDA
- Call to order and roll
- Public comment on matters not appearing on the agenda but within the Ethics Commission’s subject matter jurisdiction.
- Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on proposed amendments to strengthen City’s gift and ethics laws through a) a potential ballot measure for the June 7, 2022 election, and b) amended Commission regulations.
- Discussion Panel with Representatives from City Departments: City officials who have provided feedback on the proposed ballot measure and amended regulations have been invited share their views in greater depth and to field potential questions from Commissioners.
- Extended Public Comment: Members of the public will each be allowed up to five minutes to comment and may be asked follow-up questions by Commissioners.
Public Comment
Attachments:
- Staff report dated February 22, 2022 and attachments
- Draft ballot measure under consideration by Commission (February 7, 2022)
- Proposed Amended Ethics Commission regulations (February 7, 2022)
- Summary chart detailing the sections and regulations that would be changed through the proposed ordinance and regulation amendments (February 7, 2022)
- Announcement of Special Meeting and Notice of Proposed Regulations (February 15, 2022)
- FAQ: Proposals to Strengthen City Gift Laws (January 19, 2022)
- “Report on Gift Laws Part A: Gifts to Individuals” (August 2, 2021)
- “Report on Gift Laws Part B: Gifts to City Departments” (September 29, 2021)
- “Report on Strengthening Basic Ethics Provisions” (December 6, 2021)
- UPDATE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR – LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
[Discussion and possible action]
City’s Negotiators:
Jonathan Wright, Manager, Employee Relations Division, Department of Human Resources
Employee Organization: San Francisco Municipal Executives Association
Anticipated Issue Under Negotiation: status of meet and confer concerning the Ethics Commission’s proposed June 2022 ballot measure and regulation amendments
- Public comment on all matters pertaining to Agenda Item 4, including whether to meet in closed session.
- Vote on whether to meet in closed session under California Government Code Section 54957.6 and Sunshine Ordinance Section 67.10(e) to discuss labor negotiations. (Action.)
- If closed session is held, reconvene in open session.
- Disclosure of action taken, if any, that must be disclosed pursuant to Brown Act section 54957.1 and Sunshine Ordinance section 67.12(b), if any.
- Discussion and vote pursuant to Sunshine Ordinance section 67.12(a) whether to disclose closed session discussion. (Discussion and possible action.) Motion: The Ethics Commission moves not to disclose its closed session discussion.
- Additional opportunity for public comment on matters not appearing on the agenda pursuant to Ethics Commission Bylaws Article VII Section 2.
- Adjournment.
There will be an opportunity for public comment on each agenda item.
Ethics Commission Video and Audio Archives Available at SFGovTV
SFGovTV provides a continuous archive of audio, video, and Caption Note recordings of Ethics Commission meetings that allows viewers to watch those meetings online in full once SFGovTV has posted those recordings. These archives of Ethics Commission meetings may be accessed on the SFGovTV Video on Demand website at http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=142.
Materials Available
During the pendency of the closure of the Commission’s offices during the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Order and related disruptions to on-site business processes, materials contained in this and subsequent Commission packets for meetings will be available only electronically, at least 72 hours prior to meetings, until such time that the Commission reopens its offices. Any materials distributed to members of the Ethics Commission within 72 hours of the meeting or after the agenda packet has been delivered to the members will likewise be available electronically.
Electronic Devices Prohibited
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting, except as necessary to participate remotely. The Chair may order the exclusion from participation of any person responsible for improper disruptions to this remote meeting.
Meeting Decorum
The Ethics Commission encourages and promotes integrity in government by education and example and is committed to treating all staff, members of the public, and colleagues with courtesy, respect, objectivity, and fairness. Ethics Commission By-Laws Article XI Sec. 1. Members of the public who attend commission meetings, including remote attendance, are also expected to behave responsibly and respectfully. Persons who engage in name-calling, shouting, interruptions, or other distracting behavior may be excluded from participation. The following behaviors or activities are strictly prohibited during remote participation: applause or vocal expression of support or opposition; signs regardless of content or message; profanity; threats of physical aggression. The prohibition on signs does not apply to clothing, which includes signage pinned to clothing, messages displayed on clothing, pins, hats, or buttons. This provision supplements rules and policies adopted by City Hall, the Sherriff’s Office, or the Board of Supervisors related to decorum, prohibited conduct or activities, noise, etc. and is not meant to be exhaustive.
Disability Access
The Ethics Commission meeting will be held remotely, as described above. To request assistive listening devices, real time captioning, sign language interpreters, readers, large print agendas or other accommodations, please contact the Ethics Commission at (415) 252-3100 or ethics.commission@sfgov.org at least 72 hours in advance before the meeting, except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline is 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday. Late requests will be honored, if possible.
Language Access
Per the Language Access Ordinance (Chapter 91 of the San Francisco Administrative Code), Chinese, Spanish and or Filipino (Tagalog) interpreters will be available upon requests. Meeting Minutes may be translated, if requested, after they have been adopted by the Commission. Assistance in additional languages may be honored whenever possible. To request assistance with these services please contact at (415) 252-3100 or ethics.commission@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Late requests will be honored if possible.
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals who influence or attempt to influence local policy or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100 – 2.160) 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 website: www.sfgov.org/ethics.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code): Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions 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 SUNSHINE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689; phone: (415) 554-7724; fax: (415) 554-7854; email: SOTF@SFGOV.ORG. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, at the San Francisco Public Library, and on the City’s website at http://www.sfgov.org.