21-001: UNT Current Conflicting Interest (Council Member Paul Meltzer - At Large Place 6)
Board of Ethics
215 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201 (940) 349-7228
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February 25, 2021
Council Member Paul Meltzer
215 E. McKinney
Denton, Texas 76201
Advisory Opinion
Advisory Opinion No. 21-001: Pertaining to whether Council Member Paul Meltzer
has a current Conflicting Interest under Section 2-273(a) of the Ethics Ordinance
that would require disclosure, recusal and abstaining from deliberations on Pending
Matters involving the University of North Texas.
Council Member Meltzer:
Pursuant to Section 2-278 of the Ethics Ordinance, a panel of the Board of Ethics
convened on February 25, 2021, to deliberate on your request and render the opinion
given below. The members of the panel were Deborah Cosimo, Don Cartwright, and
Ron Johnson.
Question Presented:
The question presented to the panel was whether Council Member Meltzer’s
Conflicting Interest under Section 2-273(a)(3) (attributable to his wife’s
employment relationship with the University of North Texas), continues given that
this employment relationship was terminated effective on January 16, 2021.
Answer:
The panel determined that Council Member Meltzer no longer has a current
Conflicting Interest per Section 2-273(a)(1); therefore, recusal and abstention are no
longer required in matters regarding the University of North Texas. In addition, the
panel advised Council Member Meltzer to file an affidavit with the City disclosing
that the prior employment relationship was terminated.
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City of Denton Board of Ethics:
Deborah Cosimo
Panel Chair
**This opinion pertains only to the relevant sections of the City of Denton Ethics
Ordinance, Chapter 2, Article XI of the Denton Code of Ordinances. It is not
intended as legal advice and does not absolve any party of obligations that may
exist under other applicable law (e.g., Texas Local Government Code Chapter
171). All parties are encouraged to consult competent legal counsel concerning
their obligations under the law.**