Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Conflict topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Evansville council approves HUD conflict-of-interest waiver; councilman recuses from HUD matters
Summary
The Evansville Common Council adopted an amended resolution to submit a HUD exception/waiver for Councilman Zach Hieronymus, who also serves as executive director of Tri State Food Bank; the measure passed with eight ayes and one abstention. Hieronymus left the room and will not participate in HUD funding decisions or sign related documents.
The Evansville Common Council on June 9 adopted an amended resolution (C 20 25-19) to submit an exception and waiver request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development relating to an apparent conflict of interest for Councilman Zach Hieronymus, who also serves as executive director of Tri State Food Bank. The resolution passed with eight ayes and one abstention.
The resolution directs the city to request HUD approval of an exception and waiver to address the conflict that exists because a sitting council member is affiliated with an organization that receives HUD funds. Colby Jackson, DMD, explained the resolution to the council, saying, “So this resolution is to submit a, exception and waiver request for the conflict of interest that exists for councilman Zach Hieronymus as a member of the city council who approves the HUD funding and as the executive director of now the Tri State Food Bank, who is a recipient of HUD funding.”
The resolution also requires that Councilman Zach Hieronymus recuse himself from any discussions and decision-making related to HUD funding and prohibits him from signing any documents related to HUD funding. Hieronymus stated in the chamber, “Mister president, I will recuse myself out of the room just to make sure that we're above par till this is done.”
Clerks conducted a roll call during the vote; the transcript records a series of ayes followed by the statement, “There being 8 ayes and 1 abstention. Abstention. Resolution c 20 25 19 amended is hereby declared adopted.” The transcript does not identify which member cast the recorded abstention.
The measure was introduced and amended on the council floor; the record on June 9 shows the council accepted the amendment and then adopted the amended resolution. The action places responsibility on city staff to pursue HUD’s written approval of the exception or waiver before Councilman Hieronymus may participate in HUD-related matters again.
No additional conditions or implementation deadlines were specified in the council discussion recorded in the meeting transcript. The council did not debate alternative remedies on the record during this meeting.
Votes at a glance: Resolution C 20 25-19 (amended) — adopted, 8 ayes, 1 abstention.
