Austin Ethics Review Commission dissolves bylaws working group, expands complaints working group

The City of Austin Ethics Review Commission voted 6–1 on April 22 to dissolve the working group that had been reviewing and revising the commission’s bylaws and unanimously approved adding Commissioners Solis and Lawson to the working group handling the commission’s complaints process, commissioners said at a meeting at Austin City Hall.

Chair Pumphrey opened the meeting at 6:06 p.m. and said a scheduled executive session concerning a complaint was postponed by Vice Chair Bridal Sharkey because the chair had recused themself from the matter. “It was postponed by the vice chair, Bridal Sharkey, because I, as chair, had recused myself from that case,” Chair Pumphrey said.

The commission first approved the minutes. Commissioner Lowe moved to approve the minutes and Commissioner Solis seconded; the chair called the vote and said the motion passed unanimously among those present.

On a separate agenda matter, Commissioner Lowe moved to add Commissioners Solis and Lawson to the complaints-process working group, saying prior notes and materials had been circulated and the group remains in a brainstorming phase. Commissioner Figueroa seconded, and the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

Later, the commission debated whether to keep a working group that had been revising its bylaws after the city amended the bylaws. Chair Pumphrey said the city’s changes reduced the need for that working group and described dissolving it as reversible: the group can be reconstituted if needed. “We can very easily reconstitute this working group,” Chair Pumphrey said. Commissioner Lowe moved to dissolve the bylaws working group; after brief discussion the commission voted 6–1 in favor of dissolution.

Commissioner King moved, and Commissioner Solis seconded, to postpone agenda item 7 (a change in membership to the working group to review and revise ERC rules and regulations) to a future meeting; that motion also carried. Staff clarified that the clerk’s office template was written to avoid standing items on agendas, but individual items may be added to future agendas on request.

Chair Pumphrey reminded commissioners that officer elections will be held at the next meeting and said they are willing to continue in the role but would hand over leadership if another member wished to serve. The League of Women Voters briefing on city council candidate forum planning was not available and was postponed to a future meeting.

The meeting adjourned with no further business.