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QUESTION

Can the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) confirm if it has provided any guidance to ensure there have been no illegal communications in the previous year?

0:57:18

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The COIB Executive Director explains that the city charter mandates confidentiality regarding any communications and advice provided to individual public servants.

The COIB cannot disclose whether any council member has sought advice from them.
The COIB cannot reveal what was asked about or what advice was given.
The COIB maintains confidentiality even when public officials claim to have consulted COIB and declare certain actions as approved.

Lincoln Restler

0:57:18

I realize you're not gonna offer any insight into specific guidance that you've offered, but Can you confirm that Croyde is monitoring the situation or if any guidance has been provided to ensure that there has not been any legal communication in the previous year?

Carolyn Miller

0:57:34

The conflicts of interest while the city charter mandates as a matter of law that any communications we have with any individual public servants seeking advice is confidential, and any advice that person received is confidential.

0:57:47

So if any council member had so advice from the conflicts of interest board.

0:57:51

And a reporter called us and said, did so and so counsel members seek advice from the count conflicts of interest board?

0:57:57

We wouldn't say whether they asked, what they asked about, or what told them.

Lincoln Restler

0:58:00

So And

Carolyn Miller

0:58:00

even again, I cannot answer

Lincoln Restler

0:58:02

that one.

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What actions does the Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) take when an elected official misrepresents the guidance COIB provided?