02.03.2021 - City Council MinutesCity of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ETHICS TRAINING
February 3, 2021
The City Council met in a noticed training on Tuesday, February 3, 2021 via Zoom. City Attorney Mantzaris
called the meeting to order at 4:00pm with the following Council Members present: Council Members
Pines, Purvis, Entsuah, Bates and Mayor Murry.
Other City officials present were City Attorney Mantzaris, Interim City Manager Dauderis, IT Director
Dennis, and Deputy City Clerk Lueth.
1. PRESENTATION
City Attorney Mantzaris introduced the presentation and gave a background as to why the elected officials
needed to attend including an overview of state statute. The presentation was given via PowerPoint, and
covered the following topics:
• The Federal Honest Services Doctrine
• Clermont Charter
• Resolution 2021-003R: Council Rules of Conduct
• Florida Statutes Standards for Ethics and Conduct
• Voting Conflicts
• Financial Disclosures
• Sanctions and Penalties for Violations
• State Commission on Ethics: Purpose and Process
Councilmember Entsuah asked about examples of violations. City Attorney Mantzaris replied that he has
seen cases regarding taking illegal tickets to games, touching inappropriately and putting excessive pressure
on City Managers to act a certain way.
Councilmember Purvis asked about sitting on a Board of Directors of a business or a non-profit charities as
an elected official. City Attorney Mantzaris said that the prohibition by the state is more geared towards a
for -profit entity. The general position is that there is not anything wrong about serving on a non-profit
board; however, it gets difficult when the non-profit board comes before the City asking for something and
whether or not they as an elected official can take action to benefit the organization financially of the board
they are a director of.
Councilmember Purvis made general comments on the importance of submitting Financial Disclosures on
time and encouraged others to make sure they track the package, if sent by mail.
Due to technical issues the presentation was halted at 5:26pm. The presentation resumed at S: 28pm.
Councilmember Purvis asked if the City Attorney was aware of a council that has ever filed a countersuit
against a false ethics claim. City Attorney Mantzaris stated that he is unware of a situation where that has
occurred. He explained that public officials by nature of their positions have to be open to some criticism.
Mayor Murry asked about his positions on certain boards and how they have contracts with the City or take
grant funds from the City. City Attorney Mantzaris said that if the Mayor receives any compensation with
regard to the relationships to the City then it is a conflict; this would include reimbursements received from
the organization. City Attorney Mantzaris continued that there needs to be consideration as to if it is a large
organization or a local organization. City Attorney Mantzaris cautioned the Mayor regarding his
relationships with the hyperlocal organizations where he sits on the Board of Directors. He advised that the
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ETHICS TRAINING
February 3, 2021
Mayor needs to be very open and disclose his relationships to the Council if those organizations come
before the Council.
City Attorney Mantzaris informed the Council that if they feel they have a conflict prior to voting they need
to contact the Clerk's office preferably prior to the meeting to complete the correct form.
The Council thanked City Attorney Mantzaris for the presentation.
2
City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ETHICS TRAINING
February 3, 2021
With no further comments or questions, the seminar ended at 5:52pm.
APPROVED:
Tim Murry, Ma, r
ATTEST:
Tracy Ackroyd Howe, City Clerk