March 14, 2022
To: Members of the Ethics Commission
From: LeeAnn Pelham, Executive Director
Subject: Agenda Item 7 – Executive Director Report for March 2022
Summary and Action Requested
This report provides various programmatic and operational highlights since the last Executive Director’s
Report. No action is required by the Commission, as this item is for informational purposes only.
News and Updates
Ethics Commission Physical Offices Resume On-site Public Services March 7
City departments resumed a regular onsite presence per directives of the Mayor and Department of Human Resources on March 7. The Commission’s physical offices initially re-opened on November 15, 2021, following closure at the onset of the pandemic in mid-March 2020. Following directives issued on December 24 that urged all City offices to maximize telework in light of the omicron surge, our physical offices were again closed pending further City guidance. Our public services and operations continue to be conducted in a hybrid manner, with staff providing public services both onsite and online, and by telephone, email, and appointment. The Ethics Commission office re-opening notice is posted at sfethics.org.
Resumption of On-site Commission Meetings in Hybrid Format on March 18
Pursuant to the Mayor’s Forty-Fifth Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency Dated February 25, 2020 issued February 10, 2022, the Ethics Commission will resume in-person meetings in City Hall at its March monthly meeting on Friday, March 18.
The Commission’s meeting will take place in Room 400 of City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco. It will also be conducted using a hybrid approach that enables members of the public to attend the meeting in person or to access the meeting via Webex audio and video conferencing. Information on accessing the meeting remotely will be provided on the Commission’s Agenda.
The Supplemental Proclamation issued February 10th requires City commissions and boards created by the Charter that are not advisory bodies to hold meetings in-person subject to certain identified conditions. It provides that members of the public shall be allowed to attend and provide public comment at the in-person meeting, and that members of the public may observe the meeting remotely by electronic means and shall offer an opportunity for members of the public to provide public comment remotely by phone or through online platforms. It also enables members of policy bodies to participate remotely if due to a defined “COVID-19-Related Reason.”
Commission members, members of the public, and any presenters, parties, or participants who attend an in-person meeting must comply with all applicable health orders, guidance or directives from the Department Public Health and the Department of Human Resources, and rules governing the use of the facility in which the meeting occurs.
April 1 Deadline Approaching: Annual Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) Filings
Annual economic interest filings by more than 5,000 City officials and designated employees are due no later than Friday, April 1, 2022. These Form 700 filings will cover the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. City Elected officials, Department Heads, and Board and Commission Members who are required to file their statements online with the Ethics Commission must also certify online by April 1st that they have completed their required annual Ethics and Sunshine Ordinance training. City employees who file a Form 700 in their department because their position is designated in their department’s section of the Conflict of Interest Code are also required beginning this year to file their Form 700s using the Ethics Commission’s online filing system.
To help inform filers and support strong compliance with this fundamental reporting requirement, the Commission’s Engagement & Compliance team has conducted Filer Information Sessions in February and March, with additional sessions for departmental Filing Officers who continue to play a pivotal role in the launch of online filing for designated filers this year. We look forward to providing further updates on the Form 700 filing process at an upcoming Commission meeting.
Annual SIA Review Reminder Notice Distributed to all City Departments
On March 4, our office issued annual reminder notices to City departments to circulate their departmental Statement of Incompatible Activities (SIAs) to all departmental officers and employees. The notice serves to remind all city officers and employees to review their departmental SIAs and the activities their departments have deemed incompatible with their duties as a City officer or employee. A copy of the 2022 SIA notice is viewable online here.
Job Opportunities with the Commission: Training and Outreach Positions
Applications continue to be accepted for the position of Ethics@Work Training and Outreach Manager. This position will develop and lead our new Ethics@Work outreach and training program, which we are designing to engage and inform City officials, employees, contractors and other key stakeholders with practical information and tools to raise awareness, develop common understanding, and improve compliance with government ethics laws. We encourage applications from seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds who are eager to make a difference in public service by applying their training and communications expertise to lead this multi-faceted initiative.
In addition, we are also now accepting applications for two Training and Outreach Specialists. These positions will conduct training, outreach, and communications and provide expertise in the design and execution of our new Ethics@Work program for learning opportunities in both live and digital environments. Candidates who have prior experience in stakeholder outreach, digital content creation, graphics, UXUI, instructional design, and/or e-learning are encouraged to apply.
Detailed information about these positions and how to apply can also be linked through the Ethics Commission jobs page.
Staff News
I am happy to share news that we have a new Senior Investigator/Legal Analyst hire to announce this month. Eamonn Wilson, Investigative Analyst in the Division since joining the Commission last April, will assume one of the two Senior Investigator positions effective March 21st. Eamonn previously served with the California Auditor’s office, where he conducted complex compliance research and performance audits of state agencies and programs.
I am sorry to announce that Corey Ordonez has decided to pursue other professional opportunities and that his last day with the Commission was March 11th. Corey joined the Commission staff in October 2021 as a Senior Investigator and Legal Analyst. We appreciate the insights, focus, and professionalism Corey brought to his role and we wish him all the best.
We will be working with the Department of Human Resources to post job announcements for both vacated positions.
Revenues Report
The table below reflects revenues received by the Commission for Fiscal Year 2022 as of March 11, 2022.
| Account Description | FY21-22 Original Budget | FY21-22 Actuals as of 3/11/2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Other General Government | $2,450 | $500 |
| Campaign Disclosure Fines | $50,000 | $14,758 |
| Lobby Fines | $2,000 | $6,550 |
| Campaign Consultant Fines | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Economic Interest Fines | $1,250 | $170 |
| Other Ethics Fines | $7,500 | $34,004 |
| Lobbyist Registration Fee | $85,000 | $120,000 |
| Campaign Consultant Registration Fee | $7,000 | $9,750 |
| Total | $157,200 | $188,732 |
I look forward to answering any questions you may have at the upcoming Commission meeting.