HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - EVWD Board of Directors - 12/18/2014 Minutes: 12/18/14 etb
Subject to approval
EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT December 18, 2014
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
The Chairman of the Board called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. CFO Brian Tompkins
led the flag salute.
PRESENT: Directors: Carrillo, Coats, Coleman, Morales, Shelton
ABSENT: Directors: None
STAFF: John Mura, General Manager/CEO; Brian Tompkins, Chief Financial
Officer; Justine Hendricksen, District Clerk; Eileen Bateman, Sr.
Administrative Assistant
LEGAL COUNSEL: Jean Cihigoyenetche, Richard Clouse, Katharine Spaniac
GUEST(s): Members of the public
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Morales declared the public participation section of the meeting open at 9:01
a.m.
Chairman Morales read a letter he received from Ms. Miller which included support of
the Board Handbook and Board training with expense reports and professional conduct;
he stated that the expectation of the meeting is to promote high ethical standards,
increase public confidence, go above and beyond the minimum requirements, and to
provide all Board Members and staff mandatory AB1825 and AB1234 training.
There being no further written or verbal comments, the public participation section was
closed.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING (AB1825)
Legal Counsel Richard Clouse and Katharine Spaniac provided examples of sexual
harassment in the workplace including Quid Pro Quo and Hostile Work Environment, how
to recognize sexual harassment, guidelines on what constitutes a hostile environment,
employer liability for supervisors, co-workers and non-employees; how to prevent
harassment by designing and implementing an effective policy and providing training to
all employees and the duty of the employer to investigate claims.
Chairman Morales stated that the District’s Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation
Policy is for the protection of the employee; that it is the District’s duty to investigate
any complaint. The Chariman opened the meeting for comments and encouraged the
Minutes: 12/18/14 etb 2
Board to ask questions if they don’t fully understand what was provided in this sexual
harassment prevention training session.
Director Carrillo thanked Legal Counsel for this training session and that he understands
the information from this session.
Vice Chairman Coats stated that he completely understands what was provided in this
training session.
Director Coleman apologized for missing a few minutes of the presentations, that he
finds the presentation very interesting, that the person being accused has little or no
defenses and that he is concerned that by just greeting someone or being pleasant you
can be accused of sexual harassment.
Director Shelton had no comment at this time.
Chairman Morales stated that the Board has reviewed in detail the Harassment Policy;
that each Board Member had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify understandings
of policy and that personally this was a significantly more informative method of
training.
Legal Counsel clarified that when someone is accused of harassment it does not
necessarily mean that there is no defense but a thorough investigation needs to be
completed, that in the event of an accusation take the opportunity to look closer and
evaluate your behavior for possible adjustments.
The Board took a lunch break at 11:00 pm.
The Board returned to open session at 12:40 pm.
ETHICS AND PUBLIC COMPLIANCE TRAINING (AB1234)
Legal Counsel Jean Cihigoyenetche presented information regarding the general Laws,
Principles and Resources for Ethics and Public Service; he stated that the session
objectives are to familiarize the Board with laws that govern your service and when to
ask questions, encourage you to think beyond legal restrictions and provide tools for
doing so and to help with the compliance of AB 1234 requirements; he encouraged the
board members to be mindful as elected officials how they conduct themselves here and
elsewhere. He included clarification of the difference between ethics and ethics laws,
morals and keeping the public’s trust with a higher standard of behavior, he discussed
the laws regarding personal financial gain including compensation and reimbursements
on expense reports, use of public resources issues and gift rules and limits, transparency
laws, financial interest disclosure, conducting business in open and publicized meetings
and public records. After the presentation he answered questions from the Board
Members.
Chairman Morales encouraged the Board to ask any questions to clarify their
understanding of this ethics training.
Minutes: 12/18/14 etb 3
Director Carrillo stated that he has a better understanding of the District’s expense
report.
Vice Chairman Coats inquired that if he personally decided to only charge mileage from
meeting he attended that were over 50 miles away and clarified that it is not a
requirement to charge mileage if you chose not to do so.
Director Shelton stated that this was a wonderful presentation and was glad to have the
mileage information explained.
Director Coleman inquired about a non-compensable hobby while at a function other
than for the District; and stated that he had no idea that by saying “Merry Christmas”
would cause such a problem.
Legal Counsel stated that although you may think a simple action or statement is
appropriate, it can be perceived differently by others and to keep hobbies separate.
Chairman Morales thanked everyone attending the training; that the expectation of the
Board is to set the bar and meet a standard of expectation. He asked if any of the Board
Members were unclear with any of portions of the training and if so, they are now aware
of where to get the answers.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:51 pm.
_________________________
James Morales, Jr., Chairman
____________________
John J. Mura, Secretary