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The purpose of the 3-member commission is unclear The purpose behind Mr. Klausing's proposal to create a 3-member commission is unclear. In his report, he admits that the commission will have no powers to address ethics issues. With this in mind, it seems difficult to believe his statement that the existence of a commission will make people take ethics issues more seriously. This would be similar to claiming that the existence of the Roseville Fire Department assures that people will take the dangers of smoking on their sofas seriously. Mr. Klausing also states that a commission could develop and advance a training curriculum for city employees and officials. The question to be asked is whether we should be hiring professionals to develop training programs, or whether we should have untrained and unqualified citizen volunteers carrying out these duties. I know of no other example in our city where we have done this. There is also the question of whether it is proper for untrained and unqualified citizens to develop a training curriculum for a professionally trained staff. Mr. Klausing also states that he believes that the City Attorney is better prepared to investigate specific ethics complaints. This statement directly conflicts with his statement he made on July 15, 2002. At that time, Mr. Klausing stated that complaints should be handled by a citizen commission and not the City Attorney. There is no explanation of why there was a flip-flop in positions. The proposed 3-member commission would violate several standards set by the city c~uncil The, proposed cOlJllT;lission as envisioned by Mr. Klausi,ng would provjd~ input to the City Attorr;leyand his firm. The::ft.rm: we hire has the ability to :address issues of any nature, and:this proposal clearly would be considered interference and micromanagement of their work. The'idea that three citizens could somehow assist our law firm in an investigation and report is insulting. Knowing that these three citizens most likely will not be municipal attorneys makes this suggestion even more insulting. In many circumstances, it would even be illegal for the City Attorney to share his report with this proposed commission. The proposed 3-member commission also violates council policy adopted December 2005, which requires that commissions have no less than 5 members. Conclusion: _ Tre Klausing ethic~ commission proposal wOl!ld: reduce the ethical standards that currently exist in our city today. It also would create a commission in violation of other council policies, have no authority to address complaints, and would be prohibited by law from assisting the City Attorney in much of their work.