1 MEETING MINUTES City Hall, Mezzanine Floor, Exam Room 3

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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

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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.

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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.

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