2022-10-27 - Ethics Commission - Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION
OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE
THURSDAY,October 27,2022
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Rybarczyk called the meeting to order at 7:03P.M. This meeting was held at Village Hall,50 Raupp
Boulevard,Buffalo Grove
ROLL CALL
Voice vote indicated all commissioners were present: Chair Rybarczyk, Commissioners Scott, Abella,Hughes
and also present were Dane Bragg,Village Manager,and Patrick Brankin,Village Attorney. Commissioner Patel
arrived at 7:10 p.m. Trustee Joanne Johnson and Commissioner Yang was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Rybarczyk made a motion to approve the minutes of August 24,2022. Second by Commissioner Hughes.
Motion approved by voice vote. Commissioner Hughes Abstained.
NEW BUSINESS
Work Group Reports
Procurement Policies Review—led by Chair Rybarczyk and Commissioner Scott. Commissioners met with Brett
Robinson and had a thorough conversation. Commissioners do not believe that any changes are necessary as they
follow the state regulations and are very thorough. Recommendation by Dane Bragg to have Brett Robinson
come to the Ethics Commission and give a brief(10 minute)overview at a future meeting. This was agreed
upon.
Conflict of Interest and Economic Interest Statement of Review—led by Commissioners Hughes and Yang.
Commisioners Hughes and Yang have been working with the Village Manager with the assistance of Attorney
Brankin to review the conflict-of-interest documents including everyone who is required to file under Cook
County regulations and all of the appointed commissioners of the Village. Currently the appointed
commissioners who are exempt from the Cook County regulations are volunteer committees without any
involvement in contracts or making financial commitments for the Village. Those required to submit disclosure
to Cook County are being asked to submit more detailed information under those requirements as compared to
the Village.There is overlap in the conflict-of-interest and the statement of economic interest currently being
used by Buffalo Grove.
The recommendation is that new modified conflict-of-interest disclaimer would be created and approved.
Additionally: 1.Require local conflict of interest disclosure at the time of appointment for new volunteers or
upon a change in information presented in that document a.Mandated reporting of any changes to the conflict-
of-interest disclosure incumbent upon the volunteer. b. Eliminate annual disclosure. c.Modify Section 2.48.030
of the Municipal Code consistent with the attached revised form.d. Capture conflict of interest disclosure
through electronic form submission, eliminate paper forms.
Regarding the Economic Interest Disclosure,the Cook County SEI filing requirements would be adopted by
ordinance. Modify Section 2.48.020 of the Municipal Code to create an annual required filers list,maintained by
the Village Clerk, for Cook County SEI disclosures. i. Add Ethics Commission volunteers to the covered
individuals list ii.Eliminate Health Commission,Farmers Market,Transportation Commission,Rick Kahen
Commission for Residents with Disabilities and Buffalo Grove Days Committee volunteers from required SEI
disclosure.
Finally,regarding the filing education it is recommended that an educational campaign using email be developed
that synthesizes who is required to file, filing deadlines and how to file. Distribute annually. Recommend
including FOIA officer,OMA training,etc. requirements to streamline filing compliance by volunteers. Included
would be a reminder that if you had a change in your conflict-of-interest you would need to amend it.
Commissioner Hughes also stated that the gift ban would remain in place. Commissioners unanimously agreed
to move forward with these recornriendations.
Educating Boards,Commission and Committees Review—led by Commissioners Patel and Abella. The
commissioners and Patrick Brankin have communicated via email and will now take the information discussed
by the ethics commission and develop power point presentations for the various commissions. Subcommittee
would develop a list of order of priority for the commissions. The Ethics commission will coordinate with the
Village Clerk's office to ensure that information is consistent and coordinated.
Proposed Amendments to Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code—Ethics Commission Functions and Duties.
Attorney Brankin and Village Manager Bragg will develop and clarify proposed Amendments to Chapter 2
based upon the information discussed in this meeting.They will circulate to this commission and will review the
information at the next meeting. The plan is to bring these amendments to the Village Board in December 2022.
The commission set its next meeting date to occur on Wednesday,November 16 at 7:00 PM.
QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No members of the public were in attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Scott seconded by Commissioner Abel la,to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote,the
vote was unanimous.
Motion declared carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 P.M.
Lenna Sc t, Secretary of the Commission
APPROVED BY ME THIS 27 DAY OF October 2022
Chair,Ethics Commission