Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ethics commission debates broadening ordinance, counsel limited to advisory role
Summary
The Chesapeake Beach Ethics Commission discussed expanding the town ethics ordinance after three recent complaints the panel deemed beyond its current authority; members noted new counsel is advisory on applying the ethics law, not drafting ordinance changes.
The Chesapeake Beach Ethics Commission met and spent much of the session debating whether to broaden the town's ethics ordinance so the commission can address complaints residents bring forward. Peter, chair of the commission, said the panel faced three complaints in the prior year that it concluded were "outside the scope of the ethics ordinance," and that gap has prompted some members to press for broader commission authority. "In each of these cases, after studying the matter, we had to conclude the matter complained of is outside the scope of the ethics ordinance," Peter said.
Commission member (S2) urged the commission to create jurisdiction that would allow it to "express an opinion" to the town council on local ethical issues, noting one of the earlier complaints came from the current mayor and arguing the commission should be able to address such matters. The member said expanding the ordinance would give residents a clearer route for grievances rather than repeatedly closing files as outside jurisdiction.
Members also reviewed counsel's written statement about the attorney's role. The commission read that counsel will "help you if there is any substantive ethics issue before you apply the ethics law," but will not act as the commission's legislative counsel to draft or propose ordinance amendments. As read aloud during the meeting, the letter said counsel's role is to advise on applying existing ethics rules rather than to serve as legislative drafter.
Peter noted the state of Maryland requires municipalities to adopt an ethics ordinance "substantially comparable" to the state's law but leaves "very little scope of variation" to local legislative judgment. He proposed asking the town attorney or counsel's firm whether other municipalities represented by the firm have adopted broader ordinances, a precedent that could inform Chesapeake Beach's approach.
The discussion concluded with members agreeing to revisit the questions of jurisdiction and who must file disclosures at a future meeting; no ordinance amendments were adopted at this session.
