4.1 16-0284 Subject: Censure of President of the Council Lynette Gibson-McElhaney.
From: Councilmember Desley Brooks On Behalf Of Members Of The Public
Recommendation: Schedule The Following:
A) A Censure Hearing, And Possible Referral To The Alameda County District Attorney's Office, Of Councilmember Lynnette Gibson-McElhaney For Violation Of The City And State Laws, Council Rules Of Procedure, Ethics Rules And Oakland City Charter Investigated And Established By The Alameda County Grand Jury. Charges: 1. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Had A Conflict Of Interest That Prohibited Her From Using Her Elected Position To Influence An Administrative Decision On The Townhouse Project. 2. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Ethics Rules By Privately Contacting A Department Head And City Staff To Argue Personal Objections, Resulting In The Department Head Re-Evaluating The Project. This Gave The Appearance That The Department Head Was An Advocate For The Councilmember. 3. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Improperly Used City Resources By Having Her Chief Of Staff Draft A Letter For Her In Opposition To The Project For The Councilmember. The Grand Jury Believes That Was A Misuse Of City Resources Solely Intended To Benefit The Councilmember Personally. 4. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Of City And State Rules, During A Planning Commission Hearing, Where She Inappropriately Used Her Position To Question City Policy, To Challenge Staff, And To Interrupt Proceedings. 5. Councilmember Gibson-McElhaney Violated Section 218 Of The City Charter. And,