City Council Minutes 2005 10 25 SP

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City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 25, 2005 Page 3 of 7 Ty Gee, 253 Hoover Court, Louisville, CO addressed the accountability of government officials and the proper response to concerns by citizens that there has been government misconduct either individually or collectively as a governmental body. He stated the community owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Josephsohn for his exemplary investigation in the Van Pelt Ethics complaint. He read the preliminary considerations of the Findings and Recommendation prepared by Special Prosecutor Josephsohn. Mr. Gee reviewed the history of the Ethics Ordinance, which was later incorporated into the Home Rule Charter. He stated the investigation revealed that Architect Robert Van Pelt has an ownership in an option to purchase and develop private land in Opportunity Area 7, in partnership with Chris Hansen. He outlined the Hansen proposal for the property. He reviewed the provisions of the Ethics Code and the obligations of public officials. He listed the meeting dates in which Council member Van Pelt had an opportunity to publicly disclose her conflict. He noted Council member Van Pelt has not publicly acknowledged her error in not disclosing the nature of her conflict of interest. Tom Davidson, 611 W. Chestnut Court, Louisville, CO thanked Mr. Josephsohn for his thorough investigation of the ethics complaint. He disagreed with two of the investigation's findings: 1) That Council member Van Pelt acted in good faith, and 2) That all members of Council should take ethics training. He stated Council member Van Pelt should attend ethics training, but saw no reason for all members of Council, or newly elected Council members to attend. Susan Morris, 939 W. Maple Court, Louisville, CO stated she was saddened by actions of Council member Van Pelt's and stunned at learning of Mr. Van Pelt's involvement in the Hansen development proposal. She stressed that ethics and public policy is the cornerstone for good government. She asked Council to respond to Council member Van Pelt's statement in the newspaper that "Clearly I could have done some things differently and I think my fellow Council members would agree they should have done some things differently too." Eva Kosinski, 1301 Jackson Court, Louisville, CO stated she has been involved with various Boards and received training on ethics. She noted sometimes at the point when someone is actually in a conflict of interest, they are subconsciously blinded by it. She asked that Council keep that in mind. Mayor Sisk read an email received by the City relative to the ethics complaint filed against Council member Van Pelt, submitted by David Waldman, 1871 Continental View Drive, Louisville, CO. Mr. Waldman voiced his utmost respect for Michele Van Pelt and faith that she did nothing wrong or inappropriate. He urged the Council to resolve the matter quickly. COUNCIL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS