Tag Archives: City of Austin Ethics Review Commission
Camelback is back, but this time at the Ethics Review Commission
After so much contention and inflamed passions on both sides, it’s no surprise that the story of the Camelback planned unit development did not end with the Nov. 1 approval by Council. On Dec. 12, the Ethics Review Commission heard…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 17, 2018
Ethics Review Commission declines to weigh in on city anti-discrimination and harassment policy
City Council recently asked the Ethics Review Commission to review its proposed amendments to the anti-discrimination/anti-harassment portion of the City Code, which includes language such as “No City official or employee shall engage in conduct or use language that is…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 20, 2018
City ethics rule may be unconstitutional
Mayor Steve Adler’s campaign manager filed an ethics complaint Tuesday against Megaphone GPAC, a general purpose political action committee opposing the mayor’s re-election. But it seems likely that the complaint will be dismissed, according to attorneys familiar with election law.…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 31, 2018
Reporter's Notebook: Who stands alone?
You can’t say that… During a discussion at Thursday’s City Council meeting about a city home repair program for low-income households, Mayor Steve Adler took an opportunity to remind those watching about the $250 million affordable housing bond that will…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Sep 24, 2018
Ethics commission considers examining possible 'dark money' violation
Members of Austin’s Ethics Review Commission are eager to examine a potential violation of the city’s “dark money” campaign finance law that has generated press attention and speculation in city political circles in recent weeks. At Wednesday night’s meeting, Commissioner…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 21, 2018
Final hearing scheduled for fraudulent vacation time case
After retiring in June of last year, Curtis Graves, a former superintendent of system operations at Austin Energy, found out that he was under investigation for his use of vacation and sick time by both Austin Energy’s internal Human Resources…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 13, 2018
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Ethics Review Commission weighs in on potential charter changes
In the midst of discussions about soccer stadiums, CodeNEXT and the 2018 bond, the Charter Review Commission is asking citizens to consider one more thing: changes to the city charter. At its June 13 meeting, members of the Ethics Review…
City Charter • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 19, 2018
Council adopts new rules for subpoenas
On Thursday, City Council adopted regulations that make it clear that the Ethics Review Commission may not seek information identifying whistleblowers or other witnesses in complaints about city officials or employees. In addition, Council designated the Council Audit and Finance…
The Code • By Jo Clifton • May 14, 2018
Commission: Former police monitor did not violate city policy
On Wednesday night, the Ethics Review Commission found that former police monitor Margo Frasier was not in violation of any city policy and did not impose any sanctions against her. By clearing Frasier’s name in a 7-2 vote, the commission…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 23, 2018
Regret an ethics complaint? City may soon allow take-backs
On occasion, a complaint will come to the Ethics Review Commission only to be later followed by a request for withdrawal. However, according to current code, a request of this nature may not be honored. Concerned with the inability of plaintiffs…
The Code • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 9, 2018
Commission considers an independent watchdog agency for Austin
Saying that it is time for Austin to have a full-time watchdog, a task force tasked with proposing changes to the city charter is considering ways to establish an independent ethics agency. Currently in Austin, oversight of campaign finance filings…
City Hall • By Jack Craver • Feb 8, 2018
Ex-Austin Energy employee found not guilty of ethics violation
After a drawn-out series of hearings over the last seven months, the Ethics Review Commission on Jan. 10 found that retired Austin Energy supervisor Stefan Sasko made no violation of the city’s ethics regulations. However, the ruling may have implications…
