Colmar Manor council approves ethics committee bylaws, asks administrator to seek legal guidance on recusals

The Colmar Manor Town Council approved bylaws for the town’s ethics committee at its June 2 meeting but asked the town administrator to consult the town lawyer about how recusal failures would be policed and reported.

Town Administrator Spielman said the bylaws were reviewed by the town lawyer and recommended by the ethics commission. During discussion council members raised concern that the bylaws as written rely on self-recusal and do not clearly say who would remove or otherwise police a commission member who refuses to recuse. Commissioner Wagner agreed that the question—"Who polices us?"—was important and recommended consulting with the lawyer to determine whether a broader county or state mechanism applies.

Council member Allison Page moved to approve the bylaws with the stipulation that the town administrator seek clarification from the town lawyer about enforcement and, if necessary, return with recommended amendments to the code or bylaws. Vivian Jackson seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote.

What happens next: The town administrator will ask the town lawyer whether there is an existing mechanism to address a failure to recuse and, if not, will propose language or code amendments for council consideration before the ethics commission meets on July 1.