Lake County Gazette

Lake County Ethics Commission met Oct. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present 5 - Commissioner Balma, Chair Ginty, Commissioner Hammond Redding, Commissioner Hess and Commissioner Wallin

0. 21-1584

Chair’s determination of need to meet by audio or video conference.

Attachments: Determination - Chair Hart 7.30.21

1. Call to Order

Chair Ginty called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Chair Ginty led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call of Commissioners

Present 5 - Commissioner Balma, Chair Ginty, Commissioner Hammond Redding, Commissioner Hess and Commissioner Wallin

*Electronic Attendance: All Commissioners

Others Present:

Angelo Kyle, County Board

Cassandra Hiller, County Administrator's Office

Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office

Gina Roberts, County Board

Janna Phillip, County Administrator's Office

Jessica Vealitzek, County Board

John Christensen, State's Attorney's Office

Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office

Matt Meyers,County Administrator's Office

Melanie Nelson, State's Attorney's Office

Steve Rice, State's Attorney's Office

Sydney Dawson, County Board Office

Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office

4. Addenda to the Agenda

There were no additions or amendments to the agenda. 5. Public Comment (Items not on the Agenda) There were no public comments.

6. Chair's Remarks

There were no Chair's Remarks.

7. Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business to discuss.

8. New Business

CONSENT AGENDA (8.1)

Approval of Minutes

8.1 21-1582

Minutes for September 15, 2021.

A motion was made by Commissioner Hammond Redding, seconded by

Commissioner Wallin, that the minutes from September 15, 2021 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 - Aye: Commissioner Balma, Chair Ginty, Commissioner Hammond Redding, Commissioner Hess and Commissioner Wallin

REGULAR AGENDA

8.2 21-1574

Presentation and training on the Open Meetings Act.

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, introduced John Christensen, Steve Rice, and Karen Fox, of the State's Attorney's Office, and noted that Mr. Rice and Mr. Christensen would give a presentation about the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and be available for questions.

Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office, noted that the OMA presentation does not take the place of the OMA training on the Attorney General's website. The Commissioners will still need to take the Attorney General's online OMA training, once it is functional again.

Steve Rice, State's Attorney's Office, gave an overview of the Open Meetings Act. There were no questions or discussion from the Commissioners.

8.3 21-1383

Commission action adopting Operational Procedures for the Ethics Commission of Lake County.

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, outlined the draft Operational Procedures for the Ethics Commission of Lake County, noting the edits and suggestions received from the Commissioners. Some notable changes to the original language include: clarification that anonymous complaints are allowable, and that the Chair may consult with other Commissioners regarding whether to dismiss a complaint.

Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office, noted that there is currently a one-year statute of limitations for handling complaints in the proposed Operational Procedures, but that state statute would allow the Commissioners to extend that statute of limitations if they so chose.

Assistant County Administrator Meyers noted a change to the Commission's work flow

Discussion ensued regarding the Operational Procedures for the Commission.

The consensus of the Commission was to vote to adopt the Operational Procedures as proposed, with the potential to make amendments at the next meeting regarding: changing the statute of limitations from one to two years, and adding language about fraudulent concealment and intimidation.

A motion was made by Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Hess, that this item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 - Aye: Commissioner Balma, Chair Ginty, Commissioner Hammond Redding, Commissioner Hess and Commissioner Wallin

9. County Administrator's Report

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, provided clarification on an error at the previous Commission meeting. Assistant County Administrator Meyers explained that there should have been two three-year terms and three two-year terms stated at the previous meeting. However it was shown on screen that three three-year terms were available. All Commissioners received letters and phone calls clarifying which term length they would each serve based on the lottery that was held.

Assistant County Administrator Meyers also noted that the Commissioners now have Lake County email addresses and that, moving forward, Commissioners should exclusively use their County email addresses for County-related business.

10. Executive Session

The Commission did not enter into Executive Session.

11. Commissioners' Remarks

There were no Commissioners' Remarks.

12. Adjournment

Chair Ginty declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

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