Board of Ethics

“Where People Count” 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Telephone (847) 588-8000 ● Fax (847) 588-8051 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Mayor Robert M. Callero Trustees MINUTES Chris Hanusiak James T. Hynes BOARD OF ETHICS Joe LoVerde Village Hall, Council Chambers Rosemary R. Palicki Louella B. Preston February 19, 2013 – 5:30 p.m. Andrew Przybylo The Board of Ethics meeting was held on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at the Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Hynes. Village Clerk Marlene J. Victorine Members Present: Staff Present: Chairman Trustee Jim Hynes Kathy M. Thake, Secretary Matthew Lagodzinski Joseph J. Annunzio, Village Attorney Anthony Gaudio Steve Vinezeano, Acting Village Manager Randy Greco Michael Siegel Approval of Minutes Mr. Siegel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gaudio, to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2013 meeting; on voice vote all concurred. Discussion As privilege of the Chair, Chairman Hynes stated that comments are being posted on an online newspaper regarding the expenditures of the Board of Ethic’s. Chairman Hynes indicated that the Board of Ethics members without any cost have done all work on investigations. He also clarified in order to conduct thorough investigations on complaints submitted time is needed to analyze all information properly. Mr. Siegel indicated he has completed the open meeting act and thought it would be useful to provide the entire Board with a copy of the slides from the training. Village Attorney stated as Compliance Officer he will reach out to the Attorney General Office for this information. Acting Village Manager Vinezeano presented an update of the Code of Ethics as outlined below: Ethics training memorandums have been collected by the following departments: Family Services, Public Services, Senior Center and Community Development. The Compliance Officer continues to train departments. Code of Ethics training of all employees is due to be complete no later than April 15, 2013. The Compliance Officer and Village Manager must complete a status of the Code of Ethics implementation and recommended changes to the Board of Trustees by the April 23, 2013 Board of Trustees meeting. Completion of annual Code of Ethics training will be www.vniles.com  Board of Ethics Meeting, February 19, 2013 understood as a critical objective within each department head employee evaluation. Village Attorney Annunzio also added that the video has been completed and will uploaded in the near future in order to provide all employees access to view it anytime. Mr. Siegel added he has completed the standardized Ethics compliant form and will forward to all the members for review. Comments/Questions from the Public None Executive Session Motion made by Mr. Lagodzinski to move into executive session at 5:40 p.m. to discuss follow up on previous complaints, seconded by Mr. Gaudio; on voice vote all concurred. Motion to reconvene at 6:26 p.m. was made by a unanimous vote; all concurred. Reconvene in Open Session Motion to reconvene in open session at 6:27 p.m. was made by a unanimous vote. Other Business Pursuant to the Executive Session the following complaints have been discussed and final recommendations have been made as follows: Complaint 2012-13 This complaint has been filed anonymously which listed approximately 20 items; Chairman Hynes stated that it has taken months to review and sort out the information. It appears many are rumors and Acting Village Manager Vinezeano has reviewed each one. The Board of Ethics would like to thank him for all the work he has spent and this complaint has been closed. Complaint 2012-12 This complaint has been filed for improper billing at the Niles Family Service. Since the complaint the individual is no longer an employee. Complaint 2012-24 The Board of Ethics has closed this complaint last month. But a report will be made to Village Board. Chairman Hynes indicated that remediation with training in this matter is satisfactory. Mr. Sigel stated that Chairman Hynes should explain at the Village Board level as to how difficult it is to sort out rumors and anonymous complaints. When a complaint is filed details are needed to ensure the Board of Ethics can get to the bottom of the problem. He believes that the standardized compliant form will encourage more information to be provided when complaints are filed. Next meeting: Chairman Hynes stated that the March 18 meeting would be moved to March 21 at 5:30 p.m. 2  Board of Ethics Meeting, February 19, 2013 Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Gaudio, seconded by Mr. Greco; all concurred and the meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Kathy M. Thake Board of Ethics Secretary 3