TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2020
COMMITTEE ON PENSION, HUMAN RESOURCES AND CIVIL SERVICE
Honorable Kari K. Steele, President and Members of the Board of Commissioners
Title
Request for advice and consent to the reappointment of Jose A. Lopez as a Commissioner on MWRD’s Ethics Commission for a two-year term pursuant to the Ethics Ordinance (Deferred from the March 5, 2020 Board Meeting)
Body
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On May 15, 2014, the Board of Commissioners (“Board”) granted its advice and consent as to the appointment of Zelda B. Harris, Jose A. Lopez, and Michael J. Weicher as Commissioners of MWRD’s Ethics Commission. Ethics Commissioners are appointed pursuant to the requirements of the Ethics Ordinance which provides for the Executive Director to recommend appointments with the consent of the Board.
Pursuant to Section 20-2 of the original Ethics Ordinance, the initial appointees of the Ethics Commission determined their initial terms such that two Commissioners served two-year terms and the third Commissioner served a one-year term. The three Ethics Commissioners determined that Zelda B. Harris would serve a one-year term. Section 20-2 of the original Ordinance also provided that Commissioners may be reappointed to subsequent terms, and after the initial appointees to the Ethics Commission, all Commissioners shall be appointed to two-year terms. The ordinance as amended January 23, 2020 provides for two-year terms.
On April 19, 2018, the Board of Commissioners granted its advice and consent to the reappointment of Mr. Lopez and Mr. Weicher to the Ethics Commission for two-year terms, which will expire on May 15, 2020. On May 2, 2019, the Board of Commissioners granted its advice and consent to the reappointment of Ms. Harris to the Ethics Commission for a two-year term, which will expire on May 15, 2021.
Mr. Lopez is highly competent private attorney and his reappointment to the Ethics Commission is warranted by the professionalism and commitment he has demonstrated during his years of service as Commissioner.
With respect to the third position, Mr. Weicher will no longer be able to serve on the Ethics Commission. The District will compile a list of qualified candidates and conduct interviews prior to seeking the Board’s advice and consent for Mr. Weicher’s successor.
I hereby seek the advice and consent of the Board of Commissioners, as to the reappointment of Jose A. Lopez as Commissioner to MWRD’s Ethics Commission for a two-year term pursuant to the Ethics Ordinance.
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director, STM:JBM:mmv
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 16, 2020