Oneonta officials talk relaunching ethics board
Apr. 8—The city of Oneonta has not populated a Board of Ethics despite a state law requiring it since 1974.
The Common Council's Legislative Committee members Len Carson, R-Fifth Ward, and Shannon McHugh, D-Third Ward, took up that issue at the committee meeting Monday, April 8. The other member, Kaytee Lipari Shue, D-Fourth Ward, was absent from the meeting.
Under the city charter, the city's ethics board should have three members who are appointed by the mayor.
At least one member should be an elected or appointed officer or a city employee, but city officers or employees must not make up a majority of the board.
The ethics board has the powers and duties prescribed by state law Article 18, which was enacted in 1964.
Members would be able to render advisory opinions to city officers and employees on conflicts of interest, which Article 18 refers to as "any time an individual confronts some form of divided loyalty."
Basically, city officers and employees cannot be involved with decisions about contracts and other city matters that could materially benefit or enrich themselves, directly or indirectly.
The ethics board may make recommendations about drafting, adopting or amending a code of ethics.
Former council member David Rissberger raised the concern about the lack of an ethics board initially, which the city charter requires, and asked Mayor Mark Drnek to appoint the three members to the board, Carson said Monday.
The conversation Monday centered around the importance of accurately referencing Article 18 in the local law, with Carson suggesting streamlining the document by removing Section 806.
McHugh agreed and added that the language within the local law should match the state law to avoid confusion.
Later, the ideal composition of the ethics committee was discussed, with McHugh advocating for a five-member board with with three community members and two elected officials.
The group plans to bring a clean document to the full council for discussion and potential approval on a future date.
The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for April 29.
