20-1036ORDINANCE NO. 20- 1036
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON CONFIRMING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
THE BOARD OF ETHICS’ RULES OF PROCEDURE AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE XI, SECTION 2-277(k); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2018, the City Council of the City of Denton passed Ordinance Number 18-
757 creating a new Article XI to Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances (the “Ethics Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, Section 2-277(k) of the Ethics Ordinance obligates the Board of Ethics to adopt rules of
procedure governing how to conduct meetings and hearings, and such rules are subject to confirmation or
modification by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Ethics approved the attached procedural rules on September 17, 2018,
finding them to be reasonable, prudent, and necessary to conduct efficient, effective, and fair meetings and
hearings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a Work Session on October 23, 2018 to consider the Board of
Ethics’ rules of procedure subsequently confirmed the rules of procedure through Ordinance Number 18-
1839 on November 6, 2018; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the Board of Ethics has been operating under the Rules of Procedure and
held several work sessions to discuss potential amendments; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Ethics has recommended certain amendments to the City Council for
confirmation, which were presented in a Work Session on May 19, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds the attached amendments to be reasonable, prudent, and necessary
to conduct efficient, effective, and fair meetings and hearings; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The foregoing recitals are incorporated into this Ordinance by
reference as findings of fact as if expressly set forth herein.
SECTION 2. CONFIRMATION OF AMENDMENT. The City Council hereby confirms the
amendments to the attached Rules of Procedure for the Board of Ethics, pursuant to the Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 2, Article XI, Section 2-277(k), as shown in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated into
this Ordinance, with the deleted text struck-through, the new text shown as underlined, and the retained
portion shown in normal type. All other provisions of the Rules of Procedure remain in full force and
effect
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. Should any of the clauses, sentences, paragraphs, sections, or parts
of this Ordinance be deemed invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of law or administrative
agency with jurisdiction over the matter, such action shall not be construed to affect any other valid portion
of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
The motion to approve this ordinance was made
, the ordinance was
seconded bya-at:vote
Aye
,/
V/
\/
./
/
Ja
b//
Nay Abstain Absent
Mayor, Chris Watts:
Gerard Hudspeth, District 1 :
Keely G. Briggs, District 2:
Jesse Davis, District 3 :
John Ryan, District 4:
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 :
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6:
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 2020
CHRIS WATTS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY Na(,LI
UP.TH/re
lo&qAPPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
AARON LEAL, CITY ATTORNEY
,*£w.za
I JLD rev D 13 19 DRAFT REVISION “N"September 13, 2019
Rules of Procedure for Conducting
City of Denton, Texas
Board of Ethics
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GENERAL.........................................................................................................................................4
1. CONFIDENTIALITY ..„.„„._________________________._________.___.__._________4
2. EX PARTE................................................................................................................................4
3. AMENDMENTS .........................................................................................................4
B. MEETINGS ._____._______„___________________________.______________._„„_„___.__.4
C. ADVISORY OPINION .„„.____.____.____________„___„„„____„„„_„„_________._.___„._.5
D. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS .______________________.______________._________. @
E. HEARINGS.......................................................................................................................................6
1. Preliminary Hearing __...______.„_„________._____.______________.___________6
2. Evidentiary Hearing __..._.____._____________.__.__________._.___.__.__..______6
3. Scheduling / Calling.........................................................................................................26
4. Purpose ...................................................................................................................................7
5. Authority of Chair................................................................................................................7
6. Call to Order ..........................................................................................................................7
7. Recusals _________„______________________._______„_____________.___.______ B7
8. Enter Appearance of the Parties ._______._.______.___„____„.___„„__..„„„___. B7
9. Procedural Request ............................................................................................................8
10. Evidence & Witnesses .___„______________.______._________.______.__.._____.8
II. Subpoena .____.__._______„..________________.___._____.______„_______.____. 98
12. Exhibits.................................................................................................................................9
13. 1)ecorurn..............................................................................................................................9
14. Sworn Testimony ..............................................................................................................9
15. Order ofPresentaions ____„_.._____._.___._________________._______.____. 109
16. Statement....................................................................................................................... 109
17. Presentation of Evidence ......_.____.__.____.._._„.„.__..._._____.__________._. 109
18. Witness Tesimoney ._____________________„__._______.___._.______.__.___ 109
19. Legal Representation .._______________.___.__„„_._________._______.__.___._ 10
20. Time Limitations......................................................................................................... 11e
21. Closing of Statements .„_„„„„._.____.______._„_„„_________.___„„.„_______ lle
22. Closing of Hearing....................................................................................................... 110
23. Executive Session........................................................................................................ 11e
24. Deliberation.................................................................................................................. 11e
25. Reliability of Evidence __________________._______.____„__.______.___..„„__ ll
26. Burden of Proof.............................................................................................................. 11
27. Determinations ._______________.____.„__.__.____.____„„________._____„„_ 124
.__._.„„_________.___..„________.___.. 12428. Reconsideration4
City of Denton
Rules of Procedure
BFa#
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019
Board of Ethics
Page 2
CITY OF DENTON
BOARD OF ETHICS
RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR
MEETINGS & HEARINGS
City of Denton
Rules of Procedure
On+
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019
Board of Ethics
Page 3
A. GENERAL
1. CONFIDENTIALITY
The City of Denton shall strive to maintain a level of confidentiality during the preliminary phases
of processing Complaints in order to avoid unduly tarnishing of peoples’ reputations while striving
to provide due process. Confidentiality shall be limited by law, including the Texas Public
Information Act.
I
Under the Code of Ethics, a Complaint submitted to the City is confidential until it is either
dismissed or placed on an agenda subject to Code of Ethics Section 2-279[i).,
The Board of Ethics shall maintain the confidentiality of any document it receives that is
categorized as being subject to common law privacy as defined by Section 552.101 of the Texas
Government Code; trade secrets, audit working papers, certain commercial or financial
information as defined by Section 552.110 of the Texas Government Code; confidentiality of certain
private communications of elected officers as defined by Section 552.109 of the Texas Government
Code; and all other information considered confidential and protected under the Texas Public
Information Act or other law, as applies to Section 552.022 of the Government Code.
Code of Ethics 52-279 al(B).
EX PARTE
I The Complainant and the RespondentAccused are prohibited by the Code of Ethics from
communicating (directly or indirectly) about the subject matter or merits of the Complaint, or any issue
of law or fact about a Complaint, with the Board, any of its members, or witnesses identified in the
Complaint (or filed supplements). Similarly, the Board is prohibited from communicating about
the subject matter or merits of a Complaint, or any issue of law or fact about a Complaint with the
parties or other persons (except for members of the Board, the City Auditor’s Office, City Attorney’s
Office, or Special Counsel).
30.-An}endn#entsMENDMENTS
The Board of Ethics may recommend amendments to City of Denton Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2,
Article XI, or to its own Rules of Procedure to the City Council by a simple majority vote.
Code of Ethics 92-279 (k).
City of Denton BFa#
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 4
B. MEETINGS
1. Calling Meetings. Board meetings shall be called by the Chairperson, or upon request of three
(3) board members, or the City Auditor, at least annually.
2. Call to Order. The Chairperson shall call the hearing to order, announce the time the hearing
is called to order, and state whether a quorum of the board is present. The quorum is four (4)
board members, which can include the Chairperson.
3. Open Meetings. Board meetings shall be conducted in compliance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act.
4. Adjournment. Meetings of the Board may be adjourned by the Chairperson’s initiative or upon
vote of a majority of the members.
5. Alternate Members. Alternate members of the Board of Ethics shall attend meetings only upon
request by the City Auditor’s OffIce. The role of an alternate is to participate in meetings of the Board
of Ethics ds a replacement for a regular member who is absent or abstaining.
6. Notice of Absence or Abstainment. Upon receipt of an agenda for meeting or hearing, each member
of the Board shall immediately (within twenty-four (24) hours) inform the City Auditor if the member
is planning to: (a) not attend; or (b) abstain from participation. The matter of determining which
alternate shall be desigpated to attend a hearing shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson.
4 Code of Ethics $2-281, q2-277(9).
C. ADVISORY OPINION
1. Assignment. The City Auditor shall refer requests to either a Panel or to Special Counsel.
Panels shall be designated by the Chairperson consisting of three (3) board members on a
rotating basis. Three (3) board members must be in attendance.
2. Calling Meetings. Panel meetings shall be called by the City Auditor.
3. Open Meetings. Panel meetings shall be conducted in compliance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act.
4. Notice. The City Auditor shall send a written notification of the Panel meeting to the requesting
City Official at least five (5) calendar days prior.
5. Participation. While the requesting City Official and other persons may attend the meeting,
no testimony or public comments will be accepted.
City of Denton
Rules of Procedure
On#
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019
Board of Ethics
Page 5
6. Scope. When assembled, Panels shall respond to a request for an Advisory Opinion by issuing
written guidance regarding how the Code of Ethics applies (if at all) to a particular situation or
behavior. The opinion may contain conclusions and / or recommendations.
7. Basis of Opinion. A Panel’s opinion shall be limited to the facts presented in writing by the
requestor. No additional material will be considered. The opinion shall reflect the majority
position of the Panel.
8. Deadline. A Panel must issue its Advisory Opinion within thirty (30) days of the City Auditor’s
receipt of the request.
Code of Ethics 52-278.
D. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS
1. Assignment. The Chairperson shall designate panels consisting of three (3) board members on a
rotating basis.
2. Calling Meetings. Panel meetings shall be called by the Chairperson.
3. Open Meetings. Panel meetings shall be conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings
Act
I
I
4. Notice. The City Auditor shall send a written notification of the Panel meeting to the Complainant,
the RespondentAccused, and the City Attorney at least five (5) calendar days prior.
5. Participation. While the Complainant, the RespondentAccused, and other persons may attend
the meeting, no testimony or public comments will be accepted.
6. Scope. When assembled, Panels shall determine if a Complaint is Actionable or Baseless, as defined
by the Code of Ethics.
:I.–Basis. A Panel’s review is limited to the contents of the Complaint. No extraneous information may
be considered, unless the Panel wishes to review information as part of a consideration of the accuracy
of the statements made in the Complaint in conjunction with the making of a recommendation that a
hearing be first held on an accepted Complaint to determine if it may be frivolous.
Code of Ethics 52-280.
7
E. HEARINGS
If a Complaint proceeds to a hearing, the Board of Ethics may conduct a preliminary hearing to:
City of Denton DEaR
Revision “N"
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 6
Ca) issue a subpoena requesting the production of data or other evidence from a City Official
needed for the performance of the board’s duties and including the board’s exercise of its
powers of investigation„ subject to Section E(11) of these Rules.
(b) rule on any procedural requests from the parties, such as Motions for Continuance.
Evidentiary Hearing
If a Complaint proceeds to a hearing, the Board of Ethics may:
(a) allow witnesses to attend and testify;
(b) admit evidence; and
(c) make determinations.
Scheduling / Calling
Hearings shall be scheduled by the City Auditor upon the filing of:
(a) a Panel determination that a Complaint is Actionable; or
(b) an Appeal challenging a Panel’s dismissal of a Complaint as Baseless.
I
The City Auditor shall send a written notification of the hearing to the Complainant, the
RespondentAccused, and the City Attorney at least seven (7) calendar days prior.
Code of Ethics 52-281 (c).
The purpose ofevidentiary hearing(s) shall be solely to determine whether:
(a) a violation of the Code of Ethics occurred, and if so to assess the appropriate sanction;
(b) an Accepted Complaint was erroneously dismissed as Baseless by a Panel; and/ or
(c) an Accepted Complaint is Frivolous.
Authority of Chair
The Chair will control discussion at all times so that only one (1) person speaks at a time. The Chair
will enforce these rules through the following measures:
(a) by calling a person to order, advising them of the rules and requesting compliance;
(b) by ending a person’s opportunity to speak on an agenda item; and/or
(c) by ordering a person to leave a meeting and barring the person’s presence during the
remainder of the meeting.
City of Denton BFa#
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 7
The Chair may reasonably extend time limits provided under these rules, either at their own
discretion or by a simple majority vote of the Board. At the expiration of a party’s time, the chair
shall ask the party if they feel they have had a fun and fair hearing, and if they feel they have had an
opportunity to present all of the relevant evidence and testimony in their hearing.
Call to Order
Recusals
The Chairperson shall call the hearing to order, announce the time the hearing is called to order,
and state whether a quorum of the board is present. The chair shall identify the Complaint being
considered by the board.
At any point prior to the commencement of deliberations, members of the Board can recuse
themselves. It is preferred that recusals be communicated to the Chairperson prior to a hearing so
that alternate members can be designated. Grounds for recusal shall include prohibitions listed in
City of Denton Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article Xl, Section 2-273 (a) (Conflicts of Interest), or
any other ethical basis deemed compelling by the recusing member. Board members shall recuse
themselves if the City Council member who nominated them is a party to a Complaint pending
before the Board member.
Enter Appearance of the Parties
Procedural Request
The Chairperson shall call the parties to announce if they are present. If the Complainant is not
present, the Chairperson shall dismiss the Complaint, close the hearing, and issue a Letter of
Dismissal.
All procedural motions that the Complainant or person charged in the complaint wishes the board
to consider at the evidentiary hearing must be filed with the City Auditor’s Office at least four (4)
calendar days prior to the evidentiary hearing. The board shall determine whether to grant
requests that had not been submitted in time for the Preliminary Hearing.
Within one (1) business day after receipt, the City Auditor's Office will promptly forward the
procedural motions to the board members, the city attorney’s office, and the opposing party.
In addition to other procedural matters, the board may consider a request for a reset or continuance
City of Denton BFa%
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019
Board of Ethics
Page 8Rules of Procedure
of a hearing. The board may also, on its own motion, reset or continue a hearing. At the beginning
of the hearing, the board will consider and rule upon any such request and procedural motions.
10. Evidence &Witnesses
No later than by seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing, the Board of Ethics shall in writing
request the parties to submit to it the identities of their witnesses, briefly describing the matter
each will be expected to testify about, and any sworn statements and documentary evidence they
desire to be considered. The parties shall submit their aforementioned evidence to the City Auditor
within the time specified in the notice (that being no less than four (4) calendar days prior to the
hearing), who shall forward to the parties, Board members and the City Attorney no less than three
(3) calendar days prior to the hearing.
Subpoena
Periodically, the need for additional information may be needed when considering a Complaint.
The Board of Ethics has the authority under the Code of Ethics to issue subpoenas for witnesses
and/or records in furtherance of its investigatory and enforcement power under the Code. When
deemed necessary by simple majority, the Board may issue subpoenas to City Officials compelling
their attendance and/or their production of data or other evidence deemed relevant to the pending
Complaint. The scope of the Board’s authority to subpoena records is limited to those under the
direct control and in possession of City Officials. Subpoenas will not be issued for persons who
would serve as character witnesses. The subpoena shall be on a form provided by the City
Auditor’s Office. Service of subpoenas shall be by the City Auditor’s Office.
The Board may consider a party’s failure to comply with a subpoena in its deliberations and/or
exclude evidence related to the subject matter of the subpoena offered by the party which fails to
comply.
A record subpoenaed and produced under the Code of Ethics (as provided by the City Charter)
that is otherwise privileged or confidential by law remains privileged or confidential and shall not
be released to the public unless release is ordered by the Attorney General’s office in a ruling
issued pursuant to Section 552.306 of the Texas Government Code or a court of competent
jurisdiction.
At the conclusion of all proceedings regarding a Complaint, records subpoenaed and produced
that are otherwise privileged or confidential by law shall be returned to the producing source and
all copies shall be destroyed in accordance with the City’s Records Retention Schedule.
Code of Ethics 52-277 (b),
12. Exhibits
City of Denton BFa#
Revision “N"
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 9
All exhibits submitted by the parties shall be numbered sequentially. Complainant’s exhibits shall
be pre-marked with the letter “C” followed by a dash, followed by a number; for example, “C-1”.
The RespondentAccused’s exhibits shall be pre-marked with the letter “A,” followed by a dash,
followed by a number, for example “A-1”.
Decorum
Sworn Testimony
Speakers must confine their remarks to the subject under discussion. Personal attacks and
remarks are prohibited.
Each witness before testifying at the final hearing shall be duly sworn by the Chair or Presiding
Member.
Code of Ethics 52-281 (c) (3).
15. Order of Presentations
I Complainant shall open the presentation of the evidence and argument. RespondentAccused may
then elect to present evidence and argument in response to the evidence presented to support its
defense but will not be required to do so. Complainant shall be permitted to present rebuttal
evidence on any defense raised in Respondent’s case presentation.
16,Opening Statement
Presentation of Evidence17
Before presenting any evidence, each party shall present their positions with an initial statement in a
narrative form including a summary of documents and witness testimony to be presented. Initial
statements shall not exceed three (3) minutes.
The parties may offer such evidence as is relevant and material to the complaint or any defense.
All exhibits submitted in advance of the final hearing shall be admitted at the start of final hearing
except those that the Board finds, after objection by a party, to be inadmissible as hearsay or
speculative. Parties are restricted to evidence submitted in the board packet except if good cause
is shown and granted by the majority of the Board members present.
18. Witness Testimony
City of Denton On#
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019
Board of Ethics
Page 10Rules of Procedure
Parties may proffer testimony of their witnesses if the witness is present and available for further
examination, if needed. Testimony of witnesses at hearing shall be in question and answer format.
Opposing parties shall be permitted to cross-examine the witnesses. Members of the Board may
question witnesses, subject to reasonable time limits imposed by the Chair. Questioning by the
Board shall not count against a party’s allotted time.
19. Representation
The parties may be accompanied or represented by legal counsel or another representative. A
party’s representative may present evidence and conduct examination of witnesses. A party’s
representative may not testify on behalf of a party. If a party designates a representative to present
evidence on the party’s behalf, then only the representative may present evidence at the hearing
(i.e., the party cannot also present evidence) (e.g., A witness offered by the Complainant can be
questioned by the Complainant, or the Complainant’s representative, but not both). Nothing herein
relieves the Complainant of the obligation to testify.
Code of Ethics §2-281 (c) (5).
20. Time Limitations
The parties shall be permitted thirty C30) minutes per side to present all their witness testimony,
cross-examine opposing witnesses, and present documentary evidence unless otherwise modified
by the Board.
21. Closing Statements
Each party shall be permitted five (5) minutes to make a closing statement summarizing what they
believe the evidence at the final hearing proved or failed to prove. Complainant shall go first. Of
the five (5) minutes allotted for closing, the Complainant may reserve a portion of that time to
provide a rebuttal.
22. Closing of Hearing
23. Executive Session
Upon expiration of the timelines allotted and being satisfied that the record is complete, the
Chairperson shall declare the hearing closed. If additional evidence is required, the Chairperson
may seek to continue the hearing.
The Board can go into executive session (i.e., conduct a closed-door meeting) at any point during a
meeting or hearing in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, pursuant to Texas Government
Code § 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), and/or § 551.074 (Personnel Matters). However, all
decisions must be made in open session.
24. Deliberations
City of Denton On+
Revision “N“
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 11
Upon the closing of a public hearing, the Board shall conduct deliberations. During deliberations,
the Board may discuss the Complaint, any evidence and testimony that was submitted, and the
opinions of the Board members about the credibility of the information before the Board, and the
applicability of the Code of Ethics. Deliberations may be in open or closed session, but all decisions
must be made in open session.
£5
The Board shall rely on evidence of which a reasonably prudent person commonly relies in the
conduct of the person's affairs. The amount of weight given to any evidence or testimony shall
solely be at the discretion of the Board.
Burden of Proof
Because the burden of showing that a violation of the Code of Ethics occurred is placed on the
Complainant, it is the Complainant that has the obligation to put forth evidence, including
testimony, supporting the Complaint. The Complainant is required to testify at the hearing. A
Complainant’s failure to testify at a hearing shall be grounds for dismissal of a Complaint.
Code of Ethics §2-281 (c) (4)
27. Determinations
Upon conclusion of deliberations, the Chairperson shall call for a motion. All votes will be voice
vote, with the option for any member to request a roll call vote at any time.
If at any point during any proceeding or hearing of the Board, the Board determines that the complaint
was erroneously accepted because it was filed more than two (2) years after the date of the act or omission
(unless tolled pursuant to the ordinance), the Board shall dismiss the complaint and the Chairperson shall
issue a Letter of Dismissal.
The Board is obligated to render its decision (i.e., imposing or recommending a sanction) within ten (10)
business days after the conclusion of a hearing at which the Board determined that a violation occurred.
The dismissal of a Complaint for any other reason must be communicated by the Chairperson in a Letter
of Dismissal which sets forth the reasons for the dismissal.
Code of Ethics § 2-282(b).
28. Reconsideration
City of Denton Draft
Revision “N"
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 12
Requests for reconsideration shall follow the procedure established in City of Denton Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 2, Article XI, Section 2-283 .
29. Alternate Members
regular member who is abocnt or ab8taining.
be at the discretion of the Chairperson.
Code of Ethics gZ 277 (9).
City of Denton Draft
Revision “N”
September 13, 2019Rules of Procedure
Board of Ethics
Page 13