Editorial Note: Tuesday's city council meeting showed me just how much the council doesn't take seriously violators of their own code of conduct, they let their personal feelings for a board member cloud their judgement, hence you got the result you got from the council of tabling the issue of punishing Cherie Kidd for her conduct during the Feb. 2 meeting. Let's face it she lost her cool during that meeting. I was sure they would make a decision on admonishing or at the very least censor Kidd for her actions, but they decided according to published reports to table the decision to either cite Kidd's actions during that Feb. 2 meeting or not until October! Another delay on enforcing the ethics code they all embraced back when Max Mania was council member, which will further make the current ethics code a farce! But, there's more! At one point during the discussion which the other media types seemed to have miss, is when they had their break after a lengthy often temperamental debate on the subject, the mayor let Kidd back into the chamber, before closing the discussion. Whetham pointed out rightly I might add, that Kidd should not have returned to the council chamber until the mayor closed the discussion they were having before the break. The Mayor should have table the discussion prior to the break instead, in order to handle other items on the agenda so Kidd can come back and heard the rest of the agenda, he didn't do that. Hence Whethem was pointing out that Kidd re-entered the chamber after the break, before discussion of the ethics committee recommendations were decided on. However, the mayor over ruled Whetham's objections of Kidd's return to the council chamber, once again showing the residence of this city, that the council is selective on what protocals and proceedures they will follow.
See video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_NqMsX-0gI&feature=youtu.be
City Staff memo of ethics recommendation of Ethics board one where Kidd was found violating ethics code, and was recommending a public admonishment:
Background/Analysis:
There have been four complaints filed against City Councilmembers since February, all alleging
that council members violated the City’s Code of Ethical Conduct as outlined in Chapter 2.78 of
the Port Angeles Municipal Code. As directed by the ordinance, the Council assemble 3-member
boards from a pool of pre-approved applicants to serve on Boards to receive, investigate and
make recommendations for disposition of the complaints.
Chronology of complaints:
1. February 4, 2016, Marolee Smith filed a complaint against Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd. The findings and the recommendation of Board (1) are included Attachment 1.
2. February 19, 2016, the group Our Water-Our Choice filed a complaint against Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd and Councilmember Dan Gase. The findings and recommendation of Board (2) are included Attachment 2
3. March 1, 2016, Marolee Smith filed a complaint against Mayor Patrick Downie. Ms. Smith withdrew her complaint on August 5, 2016. Her letter of withdrawal is included as
Attachment 3.
4. May 2, 2016, Marie Wiggins filed a complaint against Council members Sissi Bruch, Brad Collins, Michael Merideth and Lee Whetham. Ms. Wiggins withdrew her complaint on August 16. Her letter of withdrawal is included as Attachment 4. As noted above, Complaints 3 and 4 were withdrawn, and therefore no further action of Council is required. Of the two ethics complaints that went forward, Boards (1) and (2) have submitted their written findings of fact, conclusions, and recommended for disposition to Council. Council’s role now is to fulfill its requirement to review the Boards’ recommendations and determine what action, if any, to take in their disposition. If Council chooses to take action, Chapter 2.78.080 outlines Council’s options. That section is included as Attachment 5
See pages 1-3 - I-10 of agenda package for ethics board one facts and findings, along with their recommendation: http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3309
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Port Angeles City Council stalls on action against deputy mayor
Quoting the article posted: " Whetham said admonishment would be appropriate for a council member in a first term, but because Kidd is in her third term and had been mayor for two years, admonishment was insufficient. “Putting the slap on her is not enough,” he said."
Editorial Note: One thing is for certain, if they don't take action on either removing Kidd from her position as deputy mayor, or admonish, or at least censor her. The code of conduct will be rendered useless. Stay tuned!
