State Backpedals on Conflict-of-Interest Warnings

The Fair Political Practices Commission rescinded warning letters it issued to two San Clemente City Council members and is revamping regulations that led to another problem.

A painting contractor in Tustin filed a complaint with the FPPC about dozens of councilmembers throughout Orange County who voted on their own appointments to boards that pay more than $250 per year, in violation of FPPC conflict-of-interest rules, said Councilman Tim Brown.

The FPPC revoked warning letters issued to Lori Donchak and Tim Brown because they received less than $250.

Still, the FPPC crackdown led the council to change its board appointment procedure so that members interested in joining, for example, the Southern California Association of Governments or Orange County Vector Control joint powers authorities must leave the room if the appointment involves a $250-plus stipend.

This led to . The remaining members deadlocked over whether to reappoint Dahl, so , a fact which the city attorney figured out only after some legal research.

City Attorney Jeff Goldfarb said such procedural dilemmas has led the FPPC to start rethinking its policy. As it stands, if three people on a five-member council were interested in the same appointment, they would all have to leave the room.

It's unclear what would happen in that situation, Goldfarb said.