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Training highlights ex‑parte contact rules, conflicts of interest and bias for commissioners
Summary
Presenters told commissioners that site visits and off‑record conversations are ex‑parte contacts that must be disclosed; they distinguished potential conflicts from actual pecuniary conflicts that require recusal and recommended remedies such as reopening the record.
Speakers told commissioners to declare ex‑parte contacts at the start of quasi‑judicial hearings. "Remember that if you do a site visit, it is considered an ex parte contact," Brett Estes said, and urged disclosure of what was seen so all decision‑makers share the same information.
The presenters distinguished potential conflicts from actual conflicts of interest: potential conflicts should be publicly disclosed in advance, while actual pecuniary conflicts generally require stepping down from the dais and consulting the city attorney. When an undeclared ex‑parte contact is revealed during deliberation, speaker 3 recommended reopening the record so parties can address the new information and the applicant can respond.
