centreville ethics commission meeting minutes

Minutes April 29, 2022 · 1 page(s)

The Centreville Ethics Commission met April 29, 2022, approved the August 12, 2021 minutes, and unanimously issued Advisory Opinion #01-2022 finding no conflict of interest for Town Council President Steve Kline to serve as Council liaison to the Centreville Planning Commission while employed as President and CEO of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. The Commission recorded that ESLC has no financial interest in Centreville or Queen Anne's County properties and that local and state codes link conflicts to personal financial interest.

Steve KlineEastern Shore Land ConservancyAdvisory Opinion #01-2022Centreville Planning Commissionconflict of interestCentreville Ethics Commissionminutes approvalTown Council liaison

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Centreville Ethics Commission Meeting
April 29, 2022
12:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The April 29, 2022, Centreville Ethics Commission meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. at the Town of
Centreville, Town Hall, 101 Lawyers Row. The following members and staff were present: Carrie O’Connor,
Chair; Lucy Ickes-Marks, Vice Chair; and Martha Herman, Member; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney;
Steve Kline, Council President, was present for a portion of the meeting; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Ickes-Marks made a motion to approve the August 12, 2021 meeting minutes, as presented. Ms. Herman
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
New Business
a. Request for Advisory Opinion - #01-2022
• The Ethics Commission received a request for an advisory opinion from Steve Kline, Town Council
President regarding his position with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.
• Mr. Kline stated that he recently accepted a position as the President and CEO of the Eastern Shore
Land Conservancy (ESLC) and is requesting an advisory opinion from the Centreville Ethics
Commission regarding his role with ESLC and Council liaison between the Centreville Planning
Commission and Town Council.
• Mr. Kline reported that he is a non-voting member of the Centreville Planning Commission and
reports out to the Planning Commission about what the Town Council is working on and reports out
to the Town Council about what the Planning Commission is working on. He stated the ESLC has
zero financial interest in any properties in the Town of Centreville and Queen Anne’s County. He
stated that the previously participated in community meetings regarding the Carter Farm project
before he was employed by the ESLC and on the Town Council.
• Mr. Kline stated that the ESLC would never place an easement on properties located within a
municipality.
• Ms. VanEmburgh stated that the Town code and the State code both indicated that a conflict arises
when there is personal financial interest involved; which this does not involve.
• Ms. Ickes-Marks asked if the minutes for the Planning Commission and Town Council reflect the
reports given by Mr. Kline? Ms. Brinkley stated that yes, they do.
• There being no further discussion, Ms. Herman made a motion to that the Ethics Commission finds
no conflict of interest for Mr. Steve Kline to serve as the Council Liaison to the Centreville
Planning Commission as well as hold employment as the President and CEO of the Eastern Shore
Land Conservancy. Ms. Ickes-Marks seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. O’Connor made a motion to adjourn the April 29, 2022 Centreville Ethics
Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Herman and the meeting adjourned unanimously at
12:53 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
2022-04-29 Ethics Minutes Page 1 of 1