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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

City Council Workshop on Ethics Training – May 7, 2025

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, May 7, 2025

BodyNewport, Rhode Island

SessionMeeting Portal

DateWednesday, May 7, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:01:18

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

At the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

0:04

This is indeed an introduction to both the Rhode Island Ethics Commission and the Rhode Island Code of Ethics.

0:11

This is big picture stuff, okay, because I don't want you to be overwhelmed, but I would rather come here and tell you a little about a lot than just hammer on one thing and then not even mention the other stuff.

0:24

So quite frankly, if you leave here tonight knowing that there is an ethics commission, when you might need us, how to get a hold of us, put that in your win column, because that's what I'm going to do.

0:35

And this is not something you learn and command at one time.

0:39

I've spoken with a couple of people that have taken this course before.

0:42

You can take it again.

0:44

We usually recommend people take it every one to three years, because there might be something that you master tonight, but just didn't grasp on something else, and the next time it's going to click for you.

0:55

And I've been with the commission for eight years, and I still scratch my head at some of these things and um look a lot of stuff up.

1:03

But it is good to be familiar with uh the rules that we are bound by.

1:08

And um I will do my best to make the next three and a half hours go by very quickly.

1:14

I'm teasing you.

1:15

You will be out of here before the end of an hour, and that includes time for questions, okay?

1:20

Speaking of which, I am happy to answer any questions that anyone has.

1:24

That's part of my job, and I enjoy doing that.

1:27

I do ask a favor.

1:30

If it's possible, please hold your questions till the end.

1:33

I'll tell you why.

1:35

98% of the time, your question, next slide, promise.

1:39

And if it's not the next slide, it's coming up in the next section.

1:43

And if I try and zig when I'm, you know, off the path, it's a little tough to get back.

1:48

So if you can jot your questions down and hold them, that's perfect.

1:52

That having been said, if you simply can't go on until your question is answered, raise your hand, I'll do my best to address it.

1:58

Okay.

1:59

Um, thank you to Jay for helping me get set up tonight and Laura for setting this whole thing up.

2:05

And um, let me just get an idea of who's here.

2:08

Anyone from City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Historic District Commission, School Committee.

2:17

What am I missing?

2:20

Oh, okay, lots of commissions.

2:22

Excellent, good for you all for being here.

2:25

Okay, with that, let's get started.

2:28

There we go.

2:29

Take a look at Article 3, Section 7.

2:32

This is from our state constitution, and it's addressing ethical conduct.

2:36

It says the people of the state of Rhode Island believe that public officials and employees must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.

2:46

Respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable, and responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety.

2:54

We will talk more about that, and not use their position for private gain or advantage.

2:59

This is what our constitution asks of us.

3:02

Okay, this is not literally part of the code of ethics, um, but it's it's we do it uh reference it and acknowledge it, and we do our best to adhere to it.

3:12

We'll talk more about that in a little bit as well.

3:15

So before we jump right into the code um by which we are bound, let's get oriented by talking about ethical conduct in general, okay?

3:25

Ethics is a standard or philosophy of right and wrong human behavior based on logical reasoning.

3:33

So, ethical conduct must be the type of conduct that a logical person would agree is just the right thing to do under the circumstances.

3:41

But here's what's wrong with that theory.

3:43

People have different ideas about what makes behavior right and wrong, right?

3:46

What might be right to some might be wrong to others, etc.

3:50

So there's something called ethics based on culture.

3:54

Ever hear the expression, win in Rome, do as the Romans do.

3:57

Many people think that whether something's ethical depends on the setting in which it occurs, taking into account the local culture, habits, customs.

4:06

This is the way we've always done things in our city, must be ethical.

4:09

Well, maybe, maybe not, okay.

4:11

This is not the standard by which ethical behavior is measured at the ethics commission.

4:16

How about ethics based on consequences?

4:19

That's where ethical or unethical conduct is determined by taking a look at the outcome, right?

4:26

Ethical conduct is behavior that re uh produces more positive results than negative in both quantity and quality.

4:33

The expression there is that usually, well, the end justifies the means, all's well that ends well, as long as we get to where we need to be, doesn't really matter how we got there.

4:42

Uh, not so, according to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

4:46

How about ethics based on character?

4:48

That's where ethical conduct is determined by asking, what would a virtuous person do under these very circumstances?

4:55

The focus there is on one's character, one's motives.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Ethics And Compliance█████████████████████████████████████████████46%

Ethics Training████████████████████20%

Conflict Of Interest██████████████████18%

Nepotism█████5%

Procedural█████5%

Government Structure███3%

Secondary Employment███3%

Summary of Proceedings

City Council Workshop on Ethics Training – May 7, 2025

The Newport City Council held a workshop on May 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, featuring a presentation by Lynn Redishius, a staff attorney from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. The workshop provided an introduction to the Rhode Island Code of Ethics for municipal officials and board members, covering key topics such as conflicts of interest, nepotism, gifts, financial disclosure, and the advisory opinion process. The session included a question-and-answer period.

Ethics Training Presentation

Lynn Redishius delivered a comprehensive overview of the RI Code of Ethics, emphasizing that ethical conduct is judged by actions, not culture, consequences, or character.
Conflicts of Interest: Officials must recuse if it is reasonably foreseeable that a decision will result in direct financial gain or loss to themselves, family members (by blood, marriage, or adoption: spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, first cousins), business associates (including board members of nonprofits), or employers. Recusal means withdrawing from both discussion and vote; a recusal form must be filed.
Nepotism: Officials may not participate in hiring, supervising, evaluating, or disciplining family or household members. An alternate chain of command may be approved by the Ethics Commission via advisory opinion.
Gifts: Officials may accept gifts of value up to $25 per instance and $75 per year per interested person. This limit is under review and may change.
Contracts & Secondary Employment: Contracts with state/municipal agencies must be through open public process. Secondary employment must not impair independence or involve use of public position to solicit business.
Revolving Door: Elected/appointed officials cannot accept certain positions requiring approval by their former body for one year after leaving office.
Advisory Opinions: Binding legal interpretations issued by the Ethics Commission for prospective conduct. Officials are encouraged to request opinions before taking action.
Financial Disclosure: Annual statements are required for municipal elected and certain appointed officials, with a due date of April 25, 2025. Purpose is to identify conflicts and increase transparency.
Complaints: Anyone may file a signed complaint; anonymous complaints are not accepted. Fines up to $25,000 may be imposed.

Questions and Answers

Laura (city staffer): Asked about appointment terms for Ethics Commission members. Lynn explained they are generally five-year appointments, renewable or until replaced.
Audience member: Asked about recusal versus abstaining. Lynn clarified that recusal requires full withdrawal from discussion and vote, not just abstention.
Audience member: Asked whether recusal forms are mandatory. Lynn stated that recusal itself is mandatory; the form should be completed and sent to the Ethics Commission, but recusal takes priority over paperwork.
Audience member: Asked about the "rule of necessity" when recusals eliminate a quorum. Lynn explained that the Ethics Commission can issue an advisory opinion to designate the least conflicted official to participate.

Key Takeaways

The workshop provided foundational ethics training for Newport officials, covering essential rules and procedures.
Officials were reminded to recuse when conflicts arise, file recusal forms, seek advisory opinions for uncertain situations, and comply with financial disclosure requirements.
The session concluded with no formal votes or decisions; it served as an educational session to promote ethical conduct and transparency in local government.

Meeting Transcript

At the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. This is indeed an introduction to both the Rhode Island Ethics Commission and the Rhode Island Code of Ethics. This is big picture stuff, okay, because I don't want you to be overwhelmed, but I would rather come here and tell you a little about a lot than just hammer on one thing and then not even mention the other stuff. So quite frankly, if you leave here tonight knowing that there is an ethics commission, when you might need us, how to get a hold of us, put that in your win column, because that's what I'm going to do. And this is not something you learn and command at one time. I've spoken with a couple of people that have taken this course before. You can take it again. We usually recommend people take it every one to three years, because there might be something that you master tonight, but just didn't grasp on something else, and the next time it's going to click for you. And I've been with the commission for eight years, and I still scratch my head at some of these things and um look a lot of stuff up. But it is good to be familiar with uh the rules that we are bound by. And um I will do my best to make the next three and a half hours go by very quickly. I'm teasing you. You will be out of here before the end of an hour, and that includes time for questions, okay? Speaking of which, I am happy to answer any questions that anyone has. That's part of my job, and I enjoy doing that. I do ask a favor. If it's possible, please hold your questions till the end. I'll tell you why. 98% of the time, your question, next slide, promise. And if it's not the next slide, it's coming up in the next section. And if I try and zig when I'm, you know, off the path, it's a little tough to get back. So if you can jot your questions down and hold them, that's perfect. That having been said, if you simply can't go on until your question is answered, raise your hand, I'll do my best to address it. Okay. Um, thank you to Jay for helping me get set up tonight and Laura for setting this whole thing up. And um, let me just get an idea of who's here. Anyone from City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Historic District Commission, School Committee. What am I missing? Oh, okay, lots of commissions. Excellent, good for you all for being here. Okay, with that, let's get started. There we go. Take a look at Article 3, Section 7. This is from our state constitution, and it's addressing ethical conduct. It says the people of the state of Rhode Island believe that public officials and employees must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable, and responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety. We will talk more about that, and not use their position for private gain or advantage. This is what our constitution asks of us. Okay, this is not literally part of the code of ethics, um, but it's it's we do it uh reference it and acknowledge it, and we do our best to adhere to it. We'll talk more about that in a little bit as well. So before we jump right into the code um by which we are bound, let's get oriented by talking about ethical conduct in general, okay? Ethics is a standard or philosophy of right and wrong human behavior based on logical reasoning. So, ethical conduct must be the type of conduct that a logical person would agree is just the right thing to do under the circumstances. But here's what's wrong with that theory. People have different ideas about what makes behavior right and wrong, right? What might be right to some might be wrong to others, etc. So there's something called ethics based on culture. Ever hear the expression, win in Rome, do as the Romans do. Many people think that whether something's ethical depends on the setting in which it occurs, taking into account the local culture, habits, customs. This is the way we've always done things in our city, must be ethical.

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