Code of Ethics Adjudicating Body - Regular Meeting

Thursday, March 5. Of course, very first on the agenda as always is our pledge of allegiance. Any volunteers to start? Okay. Yeah.

Okay, thank you. The very first item on our agenda is going to be election of officers. So, we have item number one election of chair. So, we'll need nominations. I nominate chair Newman to do again. Okay. Any other nominations?

Case. To close nominations but madam I that's chair I did hear a a motion and a second so can we use that motion for the to close nomination

yes I think we should

so the nomination is officially closed

okay ready to vote

sorry not yet

oh not yet

no okay Council board member Hernandez. Motion carries six affirmative votes one abstention board member Newman excuse me chair Newman

Okay. Alright. And then we'll go to the next item which would be the election of our vice chair for this coming year. Do we have nominations for that one?

I nominate Luis Hernandez.

I second the nomination. And any other discussion or any other nominations as well? Weird. Okay, that's a first and a second. No other discussion? No? Okay, we're ready for a vote.

Motion carries Six affirmative votes, one abstention, board member Fanning.

Okay. Thank you. The next item after our elections is of course our open forum for public comment. Audience participation is encouraged and public comments are limited to three minutes. To comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the board you're invited to participate in person or you can call (951) 826-8688 to speak and then individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing when you're ready to speak.

To participate on Zoom you will use the link not provided there. Okay. Httpscolonbackslashbackslashzoom.us/j/926900690nine-twelve65 and you'll select the raise hand function to request to speak. And an on screen message will prompt you to unmute and speak. We'll give it a few minutes because there's always a delay so do we have any cards submitted for public comment today?

Okay. No cards. No calls yet. During our public comment, city clerk, do we read this into No. It's just for our own. Right? Okay. I thought as much. Alright. Okay.

Give that a few minutes as we did to see if anyone pops up online anything online oh great

Alright.

So we'll go ahead and take that comment.

Good evening. Can you hear me?

Oh, there we go. Yes. We can hear you.

Hi. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Henry Morini. I work as an independent journalist.

I help run a website called auditthegovernment.org. I am here today to speak to the board relating ethics concerns to the privy and jurisdiction of Riverside, and especially on the matter of upcoming election ethics, political campaign ethics as well. The concerns in particular have been with a lot of the coverage I've gone through relating to current and front runner, sheriff Chad Bianco with his political campaign. One of the notes I've actually submitted written comment on this for your reference should you need to look back onto it has been the use of official capacity to campaign for a political election, which is very clearly strictly forbidden. Several times, I've documented quite clearly that the presiding sheriff is using in their official uniform during official working hours as well as utilizing official staff for the purposes of their campaign.

That is clearly a violation of ethics. It is clearly forbidden for any sitting member to utilize any of their official capacities for their political campaigns. He's welcome to run, but he's not welcome to use the official office and garb while in their official on the clock capacity to run their official campaign, as well as their deputies to use who are also on the clock to run their campaign. There's that moment. The other concerns I have of alleged misconduct is actually a lawsuit on a CPRA, a public records request, that I filed against and prevailed against the Riverside County Sheriff's Department regarding the cover up and sworn affidavit admitting as such by a lieutenant on the death of a woman that occurred over twenty five years ago by the name of Stacy Moxen, the daughter of infamous Scientology lawyer Kendrick Moxen, whereby the the sheriff's, current sheriff himself went on the record and had the audacity to say that there was no files pertaining to the death or investigation of the death of Stacy Moxon.

The lawsuit clearly that we prevailed on showed otherwise. They had changed miss Moxon's spelling on the official database in order to hide the on a technicality when people submitted CPRA requests on her name, where results would show as none. Again, another constitutional violation as well as many other forms of ethics violation against the sheriff. Another previous coverage I've done has been on the violation of the department under Chad Bianco to actually

Okay. Thank you, caller. We, ran out of time on that three minute, time for public comment. We appreciate your comments. I do want to, encourage and also remind our public that any complaints or you know potential concerns about ethics violations our public is very welcome to file an official complaint for the board of ethics to review and take into consideration.

Any other callers in queue or comment cards, public comment? Okay. Thank you so much. The next item on our consent calendar is going to be approval for the minutes of our last meeting 02/05/2026. Do we have any discussion on the minutes or would anyone like to make motion to approve or change?

I move to vote to approve.

I will second.

Okay motion approve five affirmative votes two abstentions board member Perkins and board members Fanny

okay great then before I think I'm allowed before we move on to our discussion calendar just take a moment here to welcome our new members. We have three of them. If you could just introduce yourselves really quickly and if you'd like to give a little bit of information on your interest in Board of Ethics that would be great.

This is actually my second meeting. So I'm not brand new.

Thank you.

Well, I'm Abigail Treno and I currently work for the county of Riverside. And so I'm excited to be a part of the city of Riverside and be able to contribute to the board of ethics. I just find it incredibly needed to be able to keep our public officials accountable to what they say.

Thank you.

Hi. I'm Tola Perkins and I'm excited to be here to be a part of the, Board of Ethics and I appreciate everyone here. I am here. Of course, I'm in Ward 4. I'm sitting in the citywide position and I appreciate ethics so thank you

thank you so much okay and just a very quick statement for one of our members that just departed member foreman was not we we were not all completely aware it was her last meeting last last meeting in February or we would have mentioned but I definitely want to give a very big thanks for her four years of service. She was a wonderful colleague and did a really great job for the city. Okay, moving on then to our discussion calendar. Again, we do welcome public comments for any of our items on discussion. The first item that we have is to consider and approve the proposed 2026 work plan and also form any ad hoc committees that might be needed.

So I think first we recall the work plan we had our final review in February if there's any discussion or anyone would like to make a motion for approval of that work plan let me know.

Before you call for

a motion. Yes. Comment.

So you might want to just for the members that are new maybe give them a brief staff report I can do that

okay yep that would be great

while we wait for public comment thank you you madam chair and board members in your packet you have a staff report on page seven that details the, the board of ethics 2026 work plan. Just to give you some background, all of the boards and commissions in the city have been asked to develop an annual work plan in hopes of collaborating with city staff and the city as a whole to work on outline to our work on goals and specific tasks outlined by the board. Last year this board established a work plan and in that work plan they have done a few things. Some of their accomplishments they the board have did their annual review as they do every year with all of the boards and commissions taking part in the annual review of the effectiveness of the code of ethics. The board of ethics also conducted its own annual review incorporating recommendations that was received by the boards and commissions and also including their own and took those recommendations to the governmental processes committee.

Additionally the board of ethics held four pre conference meetings and four ethics hearings related to the code of ethics and conduct complaints that were received. There is a list of items that have been identified for your 2026 FERC plan. Those are also in your packet number one is to administer the duties set forth by the municipal code provide training and advocacy to boards and commissions Number three is to create a method of public education and public outreach including videos on the code of ethics and conduct process. Number four proposed charter amendments to the charter review committee that will be established this year. Number five revise the board of ethics standing rules.

Number six perform the annual review of the code of ethics as you will do at the end of summer and finally deliver an annual report to the city council in accordance with your board of ethics standing rules. Should the board of ethics determine that it's appropriate to establish ad hocs of no more than three members to focus on the specific areas identified in your work plan you will do so at that time as well madam chair that concludes the staff report Okay.

Thank you so much. So for the work plan that's we again we went back and forth last month on the additions and proposals and edits for what we had submitted from city council. Yes, public comment. Thank you. I keep telling myself.

Can we

please get the

the audio?

Yes. Public comment is now open for this item. Call (951) 826-8688 and follow the prompts to access the meeting. To request to speak, press 9. When called to speak, press 6 to unmute. You can also join via Zoom. The meeting ID can be found on the agenda.

Madam chair we have no speakers in chamber, none on line. Okay. Thank you very much.

Okay and I have a request from member Fanning.

Where is this work plan

it was part of the packet that you were emailed or you were sent a packet to prepare for this evening

yes

I didn't see it in there

it was one of the attachments

Okay. It's on page seven in your packet.

Do you have a spare copy by chance that we can provide? Thank you. Thank you. Alright, So I am going to make a motion to approve our work plan. Anyone have further comment?

No? No one? Was there some changes that people were wanting to make to the work plan?

I do want to make a comment because if I'm not mistaken in the work plan some of the changes came from the governmental process committee. Correct?

Yes.

Well, I may not disagree with all of the changes that were recommended and the work plan. I'm going to make it clear that you don't agree with the city council being able to I think I disagree with city council being able to make those changes. I don't think that it's appropriate when they don't like the way the process turns out to just change the rules. I think that should be to the Board of Ethics to review and to decide to change those rules. But that's my opinion and that's where I stand on that.

So, while I agree with some of the changes, I don't agree with the process. Just making that clear.

Yeah. Yeah, I appreciate that. You know, we submit our plan to be approved and then they do come back and recommend changes and we can either say no, we stand by what we submitted originally originally or or take take into into account account the suggestions and make changes as they suggest. I agree it's kind of a convoluted process but I think that from the suggestion that we got I think we discussed everything. Yeah. If I mean it's not too late because we haven't approved we haven't approved it

yet Madam chair, just for the sake we have new members and so we want to be very clear or make what we're referencing so that way when it's when they're called to vote they can understand what they're voting on. To be clear what's before you right now is your work plan your work plan has not been before the governmental processes committee so just so so everyone's clear because I think it was a little conflated that the governmental processes committee had influence on your work plan.

Not on work plan but I'm saying like what like as far as some of the changes to

The code of ethics.

The code of ethics and things like that. I wanted to make that clear. As far as our work plan, that's fine. Okay. I'll even, do you wanna make that?

No, I made a motion to approve the work plan so maybe we can.

So I'll second the motion.

Okay. Alright.

Motion carries four affirmative votes three abstentions board member Perkins board member Thrano and board member Fanny

okay thank you And I am just going to open up the work plan. We do need this item does include the forming of some ad hoc committees as needed And then one of the ones that we reform every year is the annual review of the code of ethics for the city itself. We usually have up to three people as stated to go through and read through the code of ethics. See if there's any you know it is a living document so we want to make sure that it's up to date. Sometimes technologies change, we know we added some things about public profiles on social media this year, things like that.

So I do wanna say just historically from my time serving on the board I think I'm the longest term person on this board has been here the longest. Board I do encourage our new members, our newer members to look at and really consider joining the team that does the annual review of the code of ethics if only for the purposes of you as a new member have to read the full document and really kind of digest it and understand and since it's the document that really guides what we do here as a board. It's a very good way for any of you to come in and understand the backbone of what this committee is. So I do highly encourage the newer members to take a look at it. Ideally, I think it's great to have new blood and then maybe one person who has been here a little bit that can help guide on what some of the terminology is and what some of that document is.

Why certain parts are in the document as they are but those are just suggestions so if we could have some discussion on who might be interested in joining the annual review for code of ethics this year that would be wonderful. Okay. Member Fanny?

Is that the only ad hoc committee or are there others as well?

We do need to have on the next item we have the evaluation of the standing rules and hearing rules and procedures. And then we we currently have one ad hoc that does the education and I think those were the three primary items that are on our work plan that require committee review.

Yes so those so as as madam chair stated you already have an ad hoc established for public outreach and education but I believe one of those members is no longer on the board so maybe perhaps you want to and you don't necessarily have to make those appointments to the ad hoc committees today it's a standing item on your agenda we can bring it back in April if you want to give the new members some time to digest just the process and and put some thought to it and then maybe revisit this in April we can add it to the agenda then as well but but the one established is the education and also the review of the code of ethics those are the two that was established and

the annual review for code review who's on that I don't I don't think we do

I'm sorry I stand corrected I'm sorry you have you have two ad hoc committees right first ad hoc committee is for the public education and public outreach and then the other is for the potential ballot measure for consideration by the charter review committee. The two members on that board is board member Hernandez and board member Vague.

Right. So, we do need one for annual review of code of ethics. I think that your suggestion is a very good one to kind of put out what the ones are going to be if you have questions about what they kind of entail, you know this is the time to discuss. And then also as far as time commitment and all that that's really up to the ad hoc committee itself of how quickly we can push things through. We obviously have a deadline to submit our annual review for the code of ethics that's in August.

Right so the first committee that I suggested well that we definitely need to establish was the annual review for the code of ethics itself. That one again it's up to the board, sorry up to the committee how often they meet but all of the work needs to be completed by August. Last year in reviewing the code of ethics we did take the initiative to visit other boards to bring that code and ask for input on our code of ethics from those other boards. So that took a lot of time. Know I don't know if that's something we want to do again but that suggestion came about from the ad hoc committee once it had been established and said you know I think we should get other boards to kind of chime in on this and see you know we shouldn't be the only ones looking at this document and so there's a lot of room for the ad hoc committee to kind of digest it and do with it what they will.

We've had a lot of really great suggestions over the years but and then the other one is I'm holding off because it's the next item so any questions or discussions about the review for the code? It is different from reviewing and evaluating our standing rules and procedure rules. They're definitely different. No? Everyone's so quiet today.

Okay. Okay so with that said does anyone have any desire to volunteer? Not that we are gonna form it today but it would be nice to know if there's interests or who has interests. It would not be good for only one person to be stuck with this job. Okay, I'll let everyone think about it then we'll, Member Hernandez?

Okay. Alright, so then if we can bring that one back for April and then have volunteers ready with We will move on to the next one. Against audience participant, oh, member Fanning, yes.

I wonder if we could have descriptions of these committees sent out prior to the meeting so we can kind of think about what's going on and what we might want to participate in.

I'm not sure what kind of description.

What the committees are, what their job is, what you think the time commitment might be. Where are we going with this? Why are we doing this? Who, what, when, where, why kind of thing so we understand why we're doing the meetings and whether it's something we might be interested in or not

madam

clerk so thank you board member Fanning for the question or for the for the request for information what I can do is this week prepare a white paper for lack of a better term right now of what an ad hoc actually is and also kind of give the purview of what an ad hoc the establishment of the ad hoc now to board member excuse me vice to chair Newman's point how often you meet how how busy you are is really left up to the ad hoc committee because there's no established time frame for you to meet you meet on your own via zoom in person at the library you're of your choosing and ad hocs are established for a very short window of time to research one specific topic and in this case it would be the code of ethics the code of ethics review but I don't mind putting something together I do encourage you to participate in the training that will take place I want to say at the March you'll you'll get that information from my department but we will go over these sorts of things in detail during those trainings.

And then just to add on to a little bit thank you Don. To add a little bit I guess so the code of the actual document of the code of ethics is I think 40 page, no 50 pages. It's quite hefty and it basically outlines what ethical behavior is by elected officials for this city, board members for this city, any public entity and so it establishes what ethical behavior looks like and it also very clearly states any type of prohibited conduct for any of those members and so it is a very very lengthy document but it just covers all the bases of ethically what city of Riverside is based on and the behaviors as such so that's what you would be reviewing. I don't know if you want additional kind of descriptors of this, okay. So yeah, so that would be that review ad committee.

And again, I think it is a very, very lengthy document but being new it's an incredibly helpful way to learn and understand the standards that we not only hold ourselves to but our officials and employees of the city. Okay, moving on to the next item. Yes, okay great. We will open the floor for public comment on that one and that's gonna be establishing an ad hoc committee to review and evaluate the standing rules and hearing rules and procedures and then also recommend any necessary updates and revisions to the Board of Ethics for that.

Public comment is now open for this item. Call (951) 826-8688 and follow the prompts to access the meeting. To request to speak, press 9. When called to speak, press 6 to unmute. You can also join via Zoom. The meeting ID can be found on the agenda.

Okay. Thank you so much. Give that a few seconds but

see none in the chamber and none online.

That changes you let me know.

Yes because give the report yeah okay thank you thank you madam chair board members the charter provides that each board and commission adopts its own rules and regulations provided they are consistent with the charter copies of the rules have been maintained must be maintained in the clerk's office so all boards and commissions that establish their own rules must keep a copy with the clerk's office and available for public inspection Attached to your packet is the standing rules for the board of ethics and the outlines did powers excuse me. Allies, the board's powers, duties, and functions, the membership composition, and the terms of office, procedures for filling vacancies, elections and the number of officers, the meeting schedule and conduct, the establishment of committees and ad hoc committees, annual reporting at the city council and the process for amending the standing rules the the code of ethics and conduct has been amended since the adoption of the current standing rules and as a result the board of ethics you should review your your standing rules because there are some inconsistencies that may need some amendments these revisions may include but not limited to updating your meeting schedule because as you know our meeting schedule now is at 6PM, and your standing rules have a stated time of 5PM.

So you can establish make that that correction. It also gives the, the definition of the term of no more than two years in one day shall be considered a full term and that will make inconsistent with, the city council rules. That is, the governing that's the the priority governance of the city. And as, board member new excuse me. Chair Newman mentioned, today, the recommendation for you today is just to establish an ad hoc to review and evaluate your standing rules and your hearing rules and procedures and then at a later time provide any recommendations for any necessary updates or revisions to the board of ethics.

Imp part of your packet there are some governance that you follow as the board member and that's the standing rules it's also the code of ethics and conduct that is codified in the municipal code under sections two point seven eight and two point eight zero you have the city council meeting rules that's also part of your packet which is codified in resolution number two four three one eight and then you have your hearing rules and procedures that completes my staff report thank you

Thank you so much madam clerk. Of questions on that was a lot of information kind of thrown at you but you know questions on exactly what that report entailed and what we're looking at for establishing a second ad hoc to review those. So basically we are looking at matching up what our standing rules say with what is codified as part of the other rules and then also we always want to kind of take a look at the hearing rules because as far as my tenure has been with this board, we have made quite a few changes to our hearing rules and our process for our hearing as well to make a little more transparent, less convoluted, very fair as much as we can but that's always changing and evolving too. So that ad hoc for this other item would review those things. Again, any questions or further clarifications we would like on that?

No? Okay but I think we'll also go ahead and make sure that we give this time especially for the new members to consider which of these ad hocs they'd like to join. So if we could put that as well into April's and then once you guys receive your training I think also you'll be a little better equipped to say what your interests are as far as where you would like to jump in and help out. Anyone else? Comment or okay Member Fanning?

It's really hard not to If we know what we would like to participate in should we say now or just wait

till the one? Yeah you can certainly say now and we'll actually take a vote and nominate people officially in the next one but it's very nice to know who's interested in what. Yes?

I would do the hearings and procedures. Okay,

great. Anyone else? Would like I to be

part of the standing rules committee.

Okay great and then you just for clarification too you're able to be on more than one ad hoc at a time. We definitely don't like to have one person on every single ad but sometimes we run low on members and interests. Okay, any further discussion on this particular item? No?

So just so we're clear for the record we do have two board members who have identified that they're interested in serving on the ad hoc but we're gonna continue this matter bring it back in April is that what the pleasure of the board is yes okay thank you

Okay, our next item is going to be communications number seven ad hoc committee updates. We do have and I don't know if it would have been appropriate to address this in item five but for creating a method of public education and public outreach we did lose member foreman so we would appreciate adding another person I do want to open this up for public comment.

Madam chair this is a communication item now if you want to reopen item number five to address the ad hoc issues do that but under communication no action can be taken.

Okay yeah so let's go back to item five and discuss this one. So we have an ad hoc committee for public education and public outreach. We have talked about helping to update the Board of Ethics webpage and where you would go in to file a public complaint because some of our public has stated that it's a pretty difficult process. Not always straightforward on what the requests are and what the requirements are for those complaints. So we've had this ad hoc committee for quite a while to try to work on making that process a little bit more clear and maybe simplifying.

There's kind of a lot of legal speak in some of the complaint process and so we wanted to try to do something where we just make it a little bit more clear and concise for people to understand what's needed so that is the point of that ad hoc committee. Is there any interest for any of the members up here today that would like to also join that committee and help out? Member Thrano.

Since this is an existing ad hoc committee, can you explain a little bit about the meetings have already established in that time commitment?

Yeah. So we have not done a great job at and you know I'm gonna fully blame the holidays and not take full responsibility. But yeah, it's been really slow going so we haven't had that much progress yet so far but now in the new year and with new members as well I think we need to double down and really commit to. So for that one ideally because I'm on that one and member Hernandez if you have any other opinions as well please chime in too. But I would like to be able to at least get together every two weeks so at least twice before the next board of ethics meeting comes in and then we usually meet for maybe about an hour and a half usually in the evenings when it's more convenient for folks but we're pretty open and it's something we can kind of work out together.

Member Hernandez?

So, I just kind of want to clarify something as far as the time commitment that goes up to the individuals on the ad hoc committee. Hopefully, you're able to commit a certain amount of time to the ad hoc committee when you want to be a part of it. But there's no set established timeframe that you have to attend certain meetings or time certain amount of time. So it's whatever time those individual members of the ad hoc committee put towards that committee and doing the work. So there's no established amount of time.

And I foresee for us as far as the public education one too, getting together and then potentially assigning tasks to people that they can do on their own time and then come back together as a committee and review what everyone has gotten done and then kind of come to consensus on those things. So, that's kind of how they typically work.

I will take responsibility. I know a meeting or two has been my fault that we haven't been able to meet. I will try to participate in the meetings when those times are established. So, if anyone's interested in joining that ad hoc committee, it'd be appreciated.

Yeah. Don't be intimidated. We're super fun. Old members want to or anyone else? Okay.

Okay. Alright. So if we can put that one on for April too. For the public education or you're just going to have one item that says forming of all ad hoc committees? Right.

As a number of, okay perfect. Okay, sounds great. All right, in that case, so going back to seven as Chair Hernandez has stated, has had some difficulty clearing some time on the schedule so there's not really an update on public education and outreach for this month but I think we can certainly do something before April comes around, you and me. Alright, so the next one is the ballot measure for consideration by charter review committee Vice Chair Hernandez and Member Vega. Do you have updates on your ad hoc?

So we were able to meet just very, very recently. And we have established some basic guidelines that we want to connect the obviously we want to try and make it so that the Board of Ethics is more independent of City Council and we think that after several discussions that placing the Board of Ethics under the umbrella of the Inspector General would be a great way to make it more independent of City Council. Obviously, those things are we can discuss those and we greatly appreciate any discussion when it comes to that. The other things that we've established so far is perhaps as well as making it so that the inspector general appoints the Board of Ethics members rather than city council members so that there's not that appearance of bias or that feeling that maybe maybe some members when appointed by City Council members feel like they have to loyal to that council member. At least those are some of the reasons that we've put forth so far.

And then what was the other thing that we put forth? We

were looking at some possibilities of really where we're going to be as far as the Inspector General's office is concerned. And we wanted to well, in our opinion, we thought maybe that it would would be much more logical at this point to if they're establishing the inspector general's office that we'd be under the inspector general's office. And then that might give us some leeway and some independence as well. And I think that's what's most important in this factor where we're dealing with certain issues that we've had in the past.

The other thing that we're creating is a list of questions that we wanna ask as far as what powers the inspector general has under the umbrella that it's created. What the inspector general's abilities are to like as far as subpoena power, things like that. We also want to create some guidelines and rules for that as well so that there's a process in place so that it's not just we want one. There has to be a process in place and we're currently discussing that as well.

Okay, great. Thank you very much. Any questions from any of the rest of the board? Member Thrano, I saw your name up there a little bit. What's that from earlier? Okay, great. All right. Then our next item is board member updates. Do any of our members have updates on any meetings attended or updates they wanna provide? Nope, okay. Next item, number nine, staff updates.

Thank you Madam Chair and City and board members. So two updates from the clerk's office. One, at during, the January meeting, I believe it was at the request of board member de Herrera that a report come back related to the the notion that there may be an opportunity to dissolve the board of ethics and there were some discussions around that I just wanted to, there wasn't a report per se to put together because there's nothing to report in terms of there's no, there has not been any discussions in terms of city council nor the governmental processes committee to dissolve the board of ethics. However, there have been a lot of discussion related to the board of ethics falling under the umbrella of the inspector general the inspector general's recruitment is underway it has been published and they're in active recruitment for that position and I do know that there is a desire and it is it was discussed on the committee level when the city council established an ad hoc committee to to compose the job description and and and and began the process for the recruitment for the inspector general it was stated publicly that the board of ethics would possibly fall under the umbrella of the inspector general now what that means and in terms of how much oversight the inspector general will have I just this point every commission has a professional staff and they have support staff I would venture to say that the inspector general will be your professional staff so now that you have you have the inspector general attorney and myself as the board secretary attending your meetings now what that oversight will look like that will that's yet to be determined but I just wanted to debunk the idea that the board of ethics will be dissolved because there hasn't been any discussion to that effect.

Just

for the new members, the reason why

I brought up that question was because there was council members quoted in, like, the Raincross Gazette saying that they were thinking about dissolving the board of ethics. So that's why, like, I I brought that question to the staff. I mean, like, can you find out more information just because it it was publicly, like, quoted and published. So was like, oh, yeah. So that just a little background on that. Thank you so much for doing that.

You're welcome. Okay. And then next update, you should have on on your desk, an email from mister Kroll representing the Kiwanis Club of Riverside, requesting a guest speaker of the board of ethics. In his email, he noted the date the two dates available. They meet on Thursday afternoons at Habanero's Mexican restaurant in Riverside, and they're requesting that someone from the board of ethics come and present the board of ethics to them between the time of noon and 01:15 in the future, the two dates that were proposed was Thursday, March 12 and Thursday, March 26.

So, we're asking that as a board, you appoint you direct one of you who was ever interested to represent the board of ethics at the Kiwanis meeting

madam clerk so just for clarification they're asking I saw the email but they're inviting someone to come and speak to them to go over the full document of the board of ethics or I mean of the code of ethics or what exactly presentation are they?

See this I as an extension of the public outreach and efforts that you've made before like when you go to the code of ethics excuse me when you go to other boards and commissions just the code of the board the board exists what the board's oversight oversight is is what what the the code of ethics means to the city perhaps just an overview of the board of ethics and a code of ethics and conduct okay

just to make sure people understand what they're committing to explain and then part of that presentation can be worked on together with city clerk or just kind of put together a presentation. I thought we had some kind of presentations that we've made before in the past right

yeah I think we had we had like a PowerPoint presentation right

okay so I'm I'm happy to volunteer to go if there's anyone else wants to request to speak. Okay. I guess who else better than the chair and the vice chair.

So what what date are you interested in so far we can communicate excuse me we can communicate that to mr. Crawl March 12 or March 26 They're both Thursdays.

The twenty sixth. But I think the Yes. I'm I have a preference for the twelfth if that's okay with you. Yeah. Yeah.

I I can I can move stuff around? That's have a doctor appointment. Unless you really want to go, I'm happy to go on my own. Okay okay so yeah the twelfth

okay thank you we'll communicate to Mr. Crawl that the I see no objection from the board that on March 12 board member Newman and vice chair Hernandez who will represent the board of ethics at the Kiwanis Club of Riverside as a guest speaker. Okay. Thank you.

Oh really? Oh that's good. That's exciting. Okay and then any other updates Madam Clerk? No other updates. No other updates Madam Chair. Next item. Items for future board consideration as requested by Board of Ethics. This is a standing item so if there's anything that we would like to agendize for future discussion this is kind of the time to propose that.

So just for preparation sake, I would like to be able to put for the discussion to like be able to ask more questions about the inspector general as far as the information that is known and what will be established so that that will help our ad hoc committee determine how we move forward on certain things. So if there's I don't know if it would require someone else coming to the meeting and breaking down some of the information as far as what's known about the Inspector General so that we could ask a few questions.

So let I heard a few things. Well first they're in active recruitment for the inspector general. The job description is available to anyone who wants to see it. So that's public information. I'm not sure I understand the ask.

So I realize that that's public information but what like a little bit more detail and breakdown as to what those, what powers the inspector general will have as far as subpoena power, things like that. So we wanna be able to ask some of those questions. And I realize that it hasn't been established yet but there should be some guidelines already as to how the inspector general's office will operate. So those are some of the questions we wanna be able to ask someone and I don't know who would be the best person to ask and if they come to the meetings ask some of those questions.

This is a perfect question because I don't know.

I'm just not sure whether they have established the the role in a way Mhmm. That you will that would help you at this point beyond the job description.

Mhmm.

But I can inquire and find out if there's more information that can be shared with the board at the next meeting.

That would be great. I really appreciate that.

No problem. You you say that they, well, they're recruiting right now. So they have an idea of what person they want to have that position, right? And so they must have some idea of what the well, you say the job description is already public. So so they're gonna go by that.

And I'm just trying to figure out, you know, where where does the Board of Ethics fit in when we're hearing some of these things about disbanding and and and some, you know, comments that were made that was not really too friendly towards the Board of

There hasn't been any decisions made as far as that. And from my understanding is it's just one more individual that's going to be attending our meetings when they're selected. But other than that, as far as the Board of Ethics is concerned, there's no discussion about expanding the Board of Ethics, solving it or how aside from our ad hoc committee, there's no other discussions that I'm aware of as far as how the inspector general will be related to the Board of Ethics.

And that's my understanding too. But I can find out whether there's any other additional information that can be shared with the board at the next meeting.

I would expect that some of that as well is going to be up to the individual that's hired to establish some of the purview and some of what they're going to take on as far as their office and all that too. It's kind of going to have to come this

is creation of a new position. Right? So Yeah. Anytime there's a creation of a new position, it is like a trial and error type of field. Right?

As this person is first identified, then they will, sure communicate the need communicate if if there's some the need for more oversight less oversight but at this current juncture I think that one thing we can be certain about is that the inspector general will have some presence with the board of ethics. Now in terms of what that really looks like, how much oversight they will have over the board of ethics, that's all to be determined. And as a matter of fact to for vice chairs vice chair Hernandez's point right now the code establishes how the vote the code of how the board of ethics is appointed They're appointed by the city council. Any changes of that nature may require charter review or a change of our code. So there there's no immediate actions that can be done in that regard right now or even be spoke about by anyone in this city.

I just think we need to get through the recruitment, let city council appoint that individual. And then at that point, maybe you can ask that person who's appointed, maybe how they foresee themselves participating in a greater or lesser role over Board of Ethics. Good? I

don't know if that's what you want to hear but that's what we've got.

That's what we got. It's just you know it's you know it's just difficult because obviously you know sometime to my understanding is sometime this year there will be you know a charter review committee appoint there will be members appointed to that charter review committee. And if I'm not mistaken, we're over a year into the whole inspector general not being appointed. And not that I'm trying to speed up their process. Just because I just I want to make sure that they select someone who's right and establish all the guidelines.

So my concern is that Charter Review Committee happens. I just want to

because these are matters for future considerations. We can't go too far into discussing.

That's why I wanted to put it on the future. Yes. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. Problem. Thank you so much.

I think that would be more appropriately suited under your Charter Review Committee ad hoc at first because I'm not really sure how we can address your questions in this setting, in the board of ethics setting, if that makes sense.

So I guess what I want for future discussion is the legal powers that the Inspector General will possess given that their duties will be to seek out fraud, waste and abuse in local government. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. So what I realized that their job description is on there, but sometimes that doesn't always give us the details of exactly what legal powers they'll have under that job description. So just maybe a little bit more detail and we can go over that in future discussion as far as like the job details and what that kind of details a little bit more and that's basically what all I'm asking

for. Alright.

Member Fanning has been patiently waiting for five years and two days.

The only meeting I attended before I had asked, especially given the situation with the city council person and the photographs and marijuana and all that stuff, stuff, whether there would be room for some just in time education at these meetings like just ten minutes about something that might be pertinent to what's coming up or something like that. I didn't see any follow-up on that.

Yeah, you know I think that something like a just in time informational would be great for a lot of us. Think we all make an effort to keep up on the city council and what's going on and what's happening in our community and you know kind of pre prepare for what might face us on any day and any meeting but something like that I think would be great.

Yeah and I'm talking about for ethics as it pertains to this committee is

there anything that we can request to have some kind of update on those things from staff or from anyone?

Is there something specific or just in

Not necessarily unless for let's say we have something coming up a situation that we need to hear maybe there's some education surrounding the rules or laws or whatever that we should be using to guide us in our thoughts it could be something general like the Brown Act or you know which is I know a huge thing I've looked at it. Anything along those lines. Mean we could all use some education all the time. Some of us more than others.

I think every year we usually have a couple presentations come to us and I know like specifically Brown Act is part of the training for coming on to the board and all that but we do usually have staff go over a few of those things throughout the year.

If you've read the Brown Act, you've read the, I don't know the names of all these things, but I've read them. Know, just a reminder or some pointers or don't forget this or something like that just to kind of get it through the cement block on my shoulders.

Okay. So maybe we can put on the agenda some proposals or thoughts on how we can get some kind of refreshers or usually we've in the past if we have any particular confusion or non understanding of something we as the board will ask staff to put together a presentation on different things. I definitely would suggest we wait through because I think have to, all of us go through the training every year on all of the different, the code of, because the training covers code of ethics, the Brown Act, it covers the Sunshine Ordinance, right, and a bunch of other things. And then maybe we can go through that. Because they have PowerPoints That to go through all of

training is like swallowing a fire hose. There's so much there that there's no way to absorb it and they won't let you fast forward the slides either. That's the worst part of it.

Any thoughts from that? We're clear on the request. Okay, great. Yes. Okay, sounds good. Alright Then all that being said, there's no one else popping up on my request to speak here on future agenda items and that is the last item we have for tonight. Thank you everyone for all your time and efforts and participation. Much appreciated and happy to have you join. And with that I will call the meeting adjourned.