Carson’s ethics review panel elects Engleman as chairwoman

Andrea Engleman was chosen Thursday to lead the Carson City Ethics Ordinance Review Committee during the panel’s initial meeting.

Engleman, formerly Nevada Press Association executive director for 12 years and public information officer in the Secretary of State’s Office when it was run by now-Sen. Dean Heller, was named to the unit by Mayor Robert Crowell. The panel was formed to review the city’s ethics ordinance and how it matches with or differs from state ethics law.

“We’re very interested in hearing from the public,” said Engleman, known widely as Ande, making that comment after the initial orientation session at which she was chosen as chairwoman. She said the five-member group wants to hear what the public feels should be addressed.

Janette Bloom, an attorney, will serve as vice chairwoman on the panel.

Engleman, who said the committee will “try to do away with conflicts between the two laws,” presided at a meeting in which members adopted bylaws and reviewed Nevada’s Open Meeting Law. Also on the agenda were an overview of the city and state ethics approaches and discussion about staff work and future agendas.

City Manager Larry Werner said he and other staffers would check into other ethics ordinances, as discussed during the meeting at which one of the five members was not present physically but participated via a telephone conference call.

Werner mentioned he has checked into Sparks’ ordinance, adding it hadn’t been changed since 1984.

After the session, during an informal discussion, Werner said he was considering a recommendation of just doing away with the city ordinance, but Engleman talked of retaining the preamble. Decisions will await future meetings and review.

The next meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Engleman, also during the post-meeting discussion, told Werner the panel should investigate nepotism issues and indicated that should be on the agenda in two weeks.