1 MEETING MINUTES City Hall, Mezzanine Floor, Exam Room 3
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On November 12, 2025, the Jacksonville Ethics Commission met and approved minutes from four previous committee meetings (October 15, 17, 21, and 27) by unanimous votes. The Ethics Office reported that it is actively recruiting for an Ethics Attorney position following a departure and is working on funding arrangements with JEA, an independent authority, which is reviewing a Memorandum of Understanding regarding its budget contribution to the Ethics Office.
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1 MEETING MINUTES City Hall, Mezzanine Floor, Exam Room 3 Wednesday, November 12, 2025 The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Erich Freiberger. Attendees: Erich Freiberger, William Maule, Robyn Blank, Linda McCallum, Sean Mulholland, Sunny Gettinger, Scott Simpson (arrived at 4:08 p.m.) and Leah Palestrant. Excused Absence: David Thompson Others in attendance: Kirby Oberdorfer, Director of the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight (OECO); Sandy Homrighouse, Executive Assistant (OECO); and Dylan Reingold, Office of General Counsel (OGC). Public In Attendance: Angella Beckom Confirmation of Quorum: Dr. Freiberger confirmed the quorum with 7 Commission Members present. October 15, 2025, Open Government Committee Meeting Minutes Approval: Mr. Mulholland made a motion for approval of the minutes from the October 15 Open Government Committee Meeting. Ms. Blank seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 7-0 in favor. October 17, 2025, Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes Approval: Mr. Maule made a motion for approval of the minutes from the October 17 Nominating Committee Meeting. Ms. Gettinger seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 7-0 in favor. Mr. Simpson entered the meeting. October 21, 2025, Ethics Commission Meeting Minutes Approval: Mr. Mulholland moved to approve the minutes from the October 21 Ethics Commission Meeting. Ms. Palestrant seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 8-0 in favor. ERICH FREIBERGER WILLIAM MAULE CHAIR VICE CHAIR SEAN MULHOLLAND ROBYN BLANK LEAH PALESTRANT SUNNY GETTINGER SCOTT SIMPSON JUDGE LINDA MCCALLUM DAVID THOMPSON City Hall, Mezzanine Level, Exam Rooms 1 and 2 Tuesday, June 13, 2023 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ETHICS COMMISSION CITY OF JACKSONVILLE -- 1 of 3 -- 2 October 27, 2025, Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes Approval: Mr. Maule moved to approve the minutes from the October 27 Legislative Committee Meeting. Judge McCallum seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 8-0 in favor. Reports: ECO Office: Ms. Oberdorfer stated the Ethics Office has been very busy and reported on the work of the Ethics Office since the last Ethics Commission meeting. The Ethics Attorney position has been posted due to Ms. Johnston leaving the Ethics Office. The position is being posted on a continuous time frame due to Employee Services having difficulty filling other attorney positions in the City. Employee Services will send Ms. Oberdorfer any resumes and applications received. Ms. Oberdorfer also gave an update regarding the partial funding of the Ethics Office from independent authorities through MOUs. JEA has not yet signed the MOU, but is reviewing it in consideration of reducing the amount of the JEA contribution to the Ethics Office budget. Ms. Oberdorfer has asked Interim Chief Administrative Officer Kelli O’Leary to talk to JEA and request the JEA budget contribution remain at the current level based upon data reflecting the level and amount of services provided to JEA by the Ethics Office. Legislation has been filed to confirm the appointment of new Ethics Commission member, Chief Angella Beckom, and the reappointment of returning member, Mr. Maule. Ms. Beckom will be replacing Mr. Simpson, and she will appear before the Rules Committee. Mr. Maule is not required to appear before the Rules Committee for his reappointment due to his stellar attendance. The Chief Judge is still considering a replacement for Judge McCallum. Ms. Oberdorfer forwarded the three attorneys from the Nominating Committee meeting to the Chief Judge for his consideration. The Ethics Office staffed the recent Legislative Committee meeting. The Ethics Office has also been working on travel questions, conflicts of interest for JFRD and JSO, secondary employment for JFRD and KHA, a Planning Commission member conflict of interest, and a voting and prohibitive conflict question for a Council Member. The Ethics Office trained the Council on Elder Affairs and before the end of the year, will conduct eight more trainings. Office of General Counsel: Mr. Reingold mentioned he continues to work hand in hand with the Ethics Office and is working with City Council regarding the new training legislation. Mr. Reingold thanked Ms. Oberdorfer for her assistance. Open Government Committee: Ms. Gettinger stated the Open Government Committee is waiting to hear from the Mayor’s Office regarding next steps for obtaining assistance with the Ethics Commission Community Outreach Plan. Legislative Committee: Ms. Blank stated the Legislative Committee met on Monday, October 27 to consider potential legislation regarding the use of City resources by first responders in campaign advertisements. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office and JSO were in attendance. Ms. Blank thanked Judge McCallum for her work on the draft legislative changes. The Legislative Committee members were assigned tasks to complete before the next meeting. -- 2 of 3 -- 3 Complaints Committee: No report. Mr. Maule added that Council Member Boylan supports his reappointment to the Ethics Commission and they discussed the working relationship between the Ethics Office and the Office of Inspector General, including the distinct functions of each office and whether there is any overlap of work in the offices. Thereafter, the Commission discussed engaging in outreach to educate elected officials and the public about the work of the Ethics Commission and the Ethics Office, including potentially hosting a lunch and learn for Council Members and others in the City. New Business: Recognition of Appreciation – Judge Linda McCallum and Scott Simpson: Dr. Freiberger thanked and presented certificates to Judge McCallum and Mr. Simpson for their service. Ms. Oberdorfer gave a summary of their accomplishments on the Ethics Commission. Election of Officers: Ms. Homrighouse sent out an email polling Ethics Commission members regarding their interest in serving as Chair or Vice Chair of the Commission in 2026. Regarding the Chair position, Ms. Oberdorfer stated Dr. Freiberger expressed interest in serving as Chair again. Judge McCallum made a motion to reappoint Dr. Freiberger as the 2026 Ethics Commission Chair. There were no other nominations. Ms. Gettinger seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 8-0 in favor. Regarding the Vice Chair position, Ms. Oberdorfer stated Mr. Maule expressed interest in serving as Vice Chair again. Mr. Mulholland made a motion to reappoint Mr. Maule as the 2026 Ethics Commission Vice Chair. There were no other nominations. Ms. Palestrant seconded the motion. With no discussion, the motion passed 8-0 in favor. Holiday Celebration: Mr. Simpson suggested moving the holiday celebration to January. The Ethics Office will check with Orsay for availability on January 20, 21 and 22. Ms. Homrighouse will also schedule the next Ethics Commission meeting for January 20, 21 or 22. 2026 Committee Assignments: Ms. Homrighouse will poll the members for their 2026 committee assignment preferences. Public Comment: Dr. Freiberger asked for public comment. None was given. Announcements: None. The Chair adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m. Sandy Homrighouse 1-21-26 Sandy Homrighouse, Executive Assistant, OECO Date of Approval This is a summary of the meeting and not a verbatim transcription. A recording of these proceedings is available at http://www.coj.net/departments/ethics-office/notices,-agendas-minutes. -- 3 of 3 --
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