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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 Conflict of Interest Code Changesr MEETING DATE To: FROM: SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION: AGENDA ITEM# 10 September 1, 2021 Board of Directors Shanna D. Kuhlemier, District Clerk Consideration to Adopt Changes to the Districts Conflict of Interest Code APPROVED BY Brian C. Wright, General Manager Adopt Resolution 2021-15 amending the Districts Conflict of Interest Code, located in District Code Title 2. DISCUSSION: The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is a state agency established under the Political Reform Act (PRA). Responsible for the impartial, effective administration and implementation of the Political Reform Act, the FPPC creates regulations, manuals, and forms to implement the Act. Part of the PRA is for certain public positions and elected officials to file a statements of economic interest (Form 700) and other election forms as needed. The statements of economic interests are the public's access to information law regarding financial interest of officials including disclosure of economic interest of decision makers. Earlier this year, as part of the AB1234 or Ethics Training, the PRA and statements of economic interests including gift limitations, candidate disclosures, and contributions was a module covered in detail. Part of the PRA requires public agencies to adopt through policy its own conflict of interest code for public employees to also file statements of economic interest or Form 700. Furthermore, the California Political Reform Act requires every multi -county agency to review its Conflict -of -Interest Code every two years, and make updates as needed. The last update completed by the District was in 2014 and reviewed without any changes in 2016 and 2018. In 2020, the most recent two year review, there were a number of job titles Page 1 of 2 identified as being candidates for updating. As a note, during the COVID-19 pandemic, FPPC staff started the review in 2020 but did not complete the review until 2021. Upon completion of the review District staff sent an update request to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for consideration of the changes outlined in Attachment A. The FPPC has approved all changes and requested we move forward with a 45 day staff review period before adopting any changes. The 45 day staff review period ended August 2, 2021, during which time no comments or objections were received. The notices to staff were sent via email and posted throughout the District. The final step to updating the Districts Conflict of Interest Code with the FPPC is adopting the code changes allowing for District Code Chapter 2.526 to be updated. Given there are no staff objections, and the FPPC is in agreement with the proposed changes, it is staff's recommendation that the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 2021-15 amending the Districts Conflict of Interest Code, located in District Code Title 2. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no material fiscal impact associated with this item. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Draft of Conflict of Interest Code Changes Attachment B - Resolution 2021-15 Page 2 of 2 CHAPTER 2.52 (Res 2009-09, 2013-02) CONFLICT OF INTEREST Sections: 2.52.010 District's Conflict of Interest Code 2.52.015 Officials Who Manage Public Investments 2.52.020 Disclosure Categories and Designated Positions 2.52.010 District's Conflict of Interest Code The Political Reform Act (Government Code Section 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate conflict -of -interest codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal. Code of Regs. 18730) that contains the terms of a standard conflict -of - interest code, which can be incorporated by reference in an agency's code. After public notice and hearing, the standard code may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations Section 18730 and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. This regulation and Sections 2.52.010 — 2.52.020 designating positions and establishing disclosure requirements shall constitute the conflict -of -interest code for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (District). 2.52.010.1 Place of Filing Individuals holding designated positions shall file their statements with the District, which will make the statements available for public inspection and reproduction (Gov. Code §81008). Statements for all designated positions will be retained by the District Clerk. 2.52.015 Officials Who Manage Public Investments The following positions are not covered by this conflict -of -interest code because those individuals holding these positions must file a statement of economic interests pursuant to Government Code Section 87200. These positions are listed for informational purposes only: • Members of the Board of Directors • General Manager • District Treasurer • Assistant Treasurer • Consultants (Those that invest public funds An individual holding one of the above -listed positions may contact the Fair Political Practices Commission for assistance orwritten advice regarding theirfiling obligations if they believe that their position has been categorized incorrectly. The Fair Political Practices Commission makes the final determination whether a position is covered by Government Code Section 87200. 2.52.020 Designated Positions and Disclosure Categories A. Designated Positions {00571477.DOC 1 }'I Title 2, Administration Designated Position Assigned Disclosure Category Administrative Services Director/ Chief Financial Officer1 Assistant General Manager 1 Attorney 1 Electric Utility Director/Power Supply Engineer 1 Public Information Strategic Affairs Director 1 Water Utility Director District Clerk Human Resource Manager or Director Finance and Accounting Manager Buyer/Clerk Contract Administrator Customer Services Manager IT Director / Chief Information Officer IT or SCADA Engineer Senior Accountant/ Analyst Conservation Analyst 3 Electric Engineering Manager Electric Engineer Electric Operations Manager or Assistant Water Engineer Water Operations Manager or Superintendent Water System Engineer Consultants/New Positions 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Ec3 3 *Consultants and New Positions shall be included in the list of designated positions and shall disclose pursuant to the broadest disclosure requirements in this Conflict -of -Interest, subject to the following limitation: The General Manager may determine, in writing that a particular consultant or new position, although a "designated position," is hired to perform a range of duties that is limited in scope and thus is not required to fully comply with the disclosure requirements described in this section. Such written determination shall include a description of the consultant's duties, and based upon that description, a statement of the extent of disclosure requirements. The General Manager's determination is a public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this conflict -of -interest code. (Gov Code Sec. 81008) B. Disclosure Category I Individuals holding designated positions in Disclosure Category I must report their interests in real property located within the jurisdiction or within two miles of the boundaries of the jurisdiction or within two miles of any land owned or used by the District; investments and business positions in business entities, and income, including receipt of loans, gifts, and travel payment, from sources, that: a) provide supplies, materials, machinery, equipment, or vehicles of the type utilized by the District, including: motor and specialty vehicles and parts, petroleum products, construction and building materials (e.g. transformers, poles, wire, cable, pipes), and solar and renewable energy products; {00571477.DOC 1 )2 Title 2, Administration b) are contractors providing services utilized by the District, including: educational and medical services, information technology, insurance, engineering, energy pricing, legal, and billing and collection; c) are persons with a permit pending before the District; d) are utility companies or sources that supply power to the District, including solar and renewable power; e) engage in the business of brokering, acquiring, leasing, marketing, disposing, or owning real property; f) provide engineering, energy, or environmental assessment reports including those relating to pricing and demand; g) provide consulting services, including: legal, financial, public relations, labor relations, and energy. C. Disclosure Category 2 Individuals holding designated positions in Disclosure Category 2 must report their investments and business positions in business entities, and income, including receipt of loans, gifts, and travel payments, from sources, that: a) provide supplies, materials, machinery, equipment, or vehicles of the type utilized by the District, including: motor and specialty vehicles and parts, petroleum products, construction and building materials (e.g. transformers, poles, wire, cable, pipes), and solar and renewable energy products; b) are contractors providing services utilized by the District, including: educational and medical services, information technology, insurance, engineering, energy pricing, legal, and billing and collection; c) are persons with a permit pending before the District; d) are utility companies or sources that supply power to the District, including solar and renewable power; e) engage in the business of brokering, acquiring, leasing, marketing, disposing, or owning real property; f) provide engineering, energy, or environmental assessment reports including those relating to pricing and demand; g) provide consulting services, including: legal, financial, public relations, labor relations, and energy. D. Disclosure Category 3 Individuals holding designated positions in Disclosure Category 3 must report their investments and business positions in business entities, and income, including receipt of loans, gifts, and travel payments, from sources, that provide services, supplies, materials, machinery, equipment, or vehicles of the type utilized by the department to which the filer has been assigned. {00571477.DOC 1 )3 Title 2, Administration Key A = Abolished (position no longer exists) D = Deleted (position has been removed from the code —justification included) M = Moved (position included in a different department) N = New (position created since last code amendment) NC = No Change R = Renamed CC = Category Changed (position assigned to a different category —justification included) Assigned Disclosure Designated Position CategoryProposed Administrative Services Manager/Chief Financial Officer 1 N n,+.. iRistrati„e con„Ges MaRa a 1 R Now Administrative Services Manager/Chief Financial Officer Assistant General Manager 1 NC Attorney 1 NC ssmstten+ general der / Electric Ut44 der / Power Supply Engineer 1 R Now Electric Utility Director/Power Supply Engineer Electric Utility Director/Power Supply Engineer 1 N 1A Public Information and Strategic Affairs Director 1 N Water Utility Director N Water Utility MaRa er 1 R Now Water Utility Director Special Project Administrator 1 NC Finance and Accounting Manager 2 NC Buyer 2 NC Contract Administrator 3 NC Customer Services Manager 3 NC 3 R Now Information Technology Director/CIO Information Technology Director/CIO 3 N IT/SGAIDA C.,giReor 3 R IT or SCADA Engineer N The dash previously used should be an "or" Senior Accountant / Anaylst 3 NC GGRseF„ati n Program n,+.. iRistrat r 3 R Now Conservation Analyst Conservation Analyst 3 N Electric Engineering Manager 3 N Electric Engineer 3 NC €leetr e Superintendent 3 R Now Electric Operations Manager and Assistant Electric Operations Manager Electric Operations Manager or Assistant Electric Operations Manager 3 N €leefFiG System Rg,Teel 3 NC Water Engineer 3 NC Water S ono RteRdor+ 3 R Water Operations Manager OR Superintendent 3 N Now Water Operations Manager - left "or" Superintendent for future growth opportunities Water System Engineer 3 NC Consultants/New Positions INC Resolution No. 2021 - 15 ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE DISTRICT CODE TITLE 2 CHAPTER 2.52 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District wishes to amend the District Code Title 2 Chapter 2.52; and WHEREAS, the District Code provides rules and regulations intended to convey a comprehensive description of the manner in which the District operates; and WHEREAS, periodically, the District Code should be reviewed and updated to conform to District Board directives, new applicable laws and regulations and improvements; and WHEREAS, the Fair Political Practices Commission is an agency established under the Political Reform Act (PRA) and reviews the District's conflict of interest code; and WHEREAS, District staff has been given 45 days to comment on the Districts Code changes with no objection noted; and WHEREAS, the revised version of Title 2 Chapter 2.52 will bring the District's policies up-to-date. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby repeal any resolutions and ordinances effecting title 2.52 and; adopt the amended District Code, Title 2 Chapter 2.52 as provided in Attachment A PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District in a meeting duly called and held within said District on the first day of September, 2021 by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT By: Tony Laliotis, Vice President ATTEST: Shanna Kuhlemier, District Clerk