ETHICS AND THE PHA KEEP ME OUT OF TROUBLE !!! AN INTRODUCTION

THIS YEAR’S THEME TOO MANY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS THINK THEY OWN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. TOO MANY BOARDS THINK THEY RUN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

GOAL FOR PRESENTATION HAVE A GOOD BEGINNING AND A GOOD ENDING. HAVE THEM AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE GEORGE BURNS

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS THE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION CONTRACT THE HUD ETHICS MANUAL

THE LEGAL BASIS ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRACT FIDUCIARY ISSUES

ACC OVERVIEW WHAT’S REQUIRED WHERE ARE PROBLEMS ETHICAL ISSUES: CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ETC.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN ACC AND REPUBLISHED ETHICS MANUAL FOR PHA’S VOTING MINUTES ADOPTED !!

WHAT CONTROLS? FEDERAL LAW REGULATIONS STATE LAW HANDBOOKS CONTRACTS ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS

THE ISSUE DEFINED FOLLOW THE MONEY – PROCUREMENT – OWNERSHIP – APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY – CONTRACTS TO FRIENDS – “WE CAN ALL EAT STEAKS INSTEAD OF HAMBURGERS”

THE RULES PUBLIC HOUSING – APPLIES TO PRESENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF PHA GOVERNING BODY – ANY EMPLOYEE WHO FORMULATES POLICY – NEPOTISM – DISCLOSURE – WAIVERS

MORE EXAMPLES CONTROLLING EXPENDITURES – DESIGNATED BANK, BANKER, FUNDS – DESIGNATED PROGRAMS – HIRING COMMISSIONER SPOUSE AT PHA

WAIVER FORMS INCLUDED IN WAIVER GET WAIVER FIRST IN WRITING: SEE DEFINITIONS LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL?

WHEN A PROBLEM DEVELOPS NOTIFY ALL IN THE CHAIN GET ADVICE OF ATTORNEY NOTIFY HUD? INSURANCE CARRIER? DEALING WITH THE MEDIA FIXING THE PROBLEM

AUDITS INSIST ON GOOD AUDIT DO I KNOW HOW TO READ THE AUDIT? DEVELOP FINANCE/AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM IF FOUND – REPORT IT, DON’T BE CAUGHT

SEASONED VETERANS INTERACTION WITH NEW COMMISSIONERS EDUCATION/TRAINING WITH NEW COMMISSIONERS GUIDANCE ON ETHICAL, EXPECTATIONS, VOTING, ETC.

COMMISSIONER RETREATS SCHEDULE RETREAT LET THE STAFF BE INVOLVED PLAN, SET GOALS EVALUATION OF BOARD EVALUATION OF DIRECTOR

CONCLUSION GENERAL RULES – AVOID APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY – FOLLOW THE RULES: ALL OF THEM – ASK BEFORE ACTING – DISCLOSE ANY POSSIBLE ISSUES – TAKE ADVICE GIVEN – WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!

MANAGING MANAGING IS GETTING PAID FOR HOME RUNS SOMEONE ELSE HITS. – CASEY STENGEL