The proposed Code of Ethics seems very thorough in defining a broad range of ethical expectations of city employees and offiicials. It also has a comprehensive mechanism for investigating ethics complaints. However, there is one thing that seems to be at least partially missing: teeth. An ethical practices board is supposed to investigate any complaints of ethics violations. There is no mention of subpoena power to enable the board to compel testimony or documents necessary to investigate ethics violations. Can someone comment on whether there is any other authority that would give it subpoena power? Most significantly, there is no clear regimen of penalites for ethical violations. As to regular city employees, the ethics code states that they may be disciplined or terminated for ethical violations, but there are no specific standards to mandate any particular level of discipline for any violation. This unfortunately leaves such decisions to the whims of city bureaucrats who can easily enforce the ethics code based on aribitrary or political considerations, thereby negating the purpose of an ethics code. As for allegations of ethical violations by department heads and elected officials, the ethical practices board merely reports its findings to the Mayor and City Council. There are no standards or guidance to indicate the actual consequences of any ethical violations. A decision is again left completely to the whims of the city council, who are left in a position to enforce the ethics code based on political or arbitrary considerations. The sanctions for violations would be more likely based on the official's power and popularity rather than the gravity of the violation. I suggest that the ethics code be amended to provide some more specific sanctions that must be imposed for violations.
Another point. It is likely that the passage of the ethics code will result in signficant expenses for the city, since the ethical practices board will be hiring staff, and other expenses will be needed to conduct investigations. I believe the expense is justified in order ensure credibility and integrity in local government. However, why did the Mayor so adamantly oppose significant funding for a serious and independent civilian review authority? Is police accountability less important than general integrity in government? This seems to reflect a continuing pattern of priorities in this adminstration geared toward the concerns of the more privileged. Jordan Kushner downtown lawyer ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sether, Laura S" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 5:54 PM Subject: [Mpls] RE: Public Hearing Monday on Ethics Mayor Rybak encourages all interested citizens to attend a public hearing on Minneapolis' Code of Ethics in the Ways & Means Committee on Monday, February 24 at 2:30 p.m. (time certain). Click on "Proposed Changes at a Glance" at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/priorities/ethics/ to see the Ethics Task Force proposal. TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
