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COLLEYVILLE MAYOR BACKS CITIZENS PANEL GROUP WOULD WRITE ETHICS CODE FOR COUNCIL

COLLEYVILLE - Mayor Donna Arp said she wants to set up a citizens panel to write a code of ethics for city leaders after City Council members criticized her relationship with a developer.

The panel, which would require approval by the council, would develop guidelines for dealing with nepotism, conflicts of interest, the state Open Meetings and Open Records acts, and other issues, Arp said. She sent letters to council members outlining her plan, but no date has been set for a vote.

"I can tell you when I was new on the council, and I think all the council members would probably agree with this, there are so many things thrown at you" that it is hard to know what the rules are, she said.

Some members said they have had enough of the issue.

Councilman Nelson Thibodeaux said he would not support a debate if it reopens discussion about a conversation Arp had with developer Raman Chandler concerning city business.

"She had plenty of opportunities to explain that," Thibodeaux said. "As far as I'm concerned, ... we need to get on with business."

Arp was criticized during her campaign for mayor because, when she was a councilwoman last year, she told Chandler that the city was considering suing him. Chandler sued the city a day before the city sued him. The lawsuits were settled in October.

Tuesday, the council approved a nonbinding policy barring members from talking about confidential city business if it would give someone a competitive advantage or would hurt the city.

Thibodeaux said that policy goes far enough.

Councilman Jody Short agreed.

"I'd certainly like to get this behind us and get on with the business of the city," said Short, whose supporters made an issue of Arp's discussion with Chandler during the campaign.

Councilman Frank Carroll said he does not oppose an ethics policy.

"I think I might be more inclined to have a code of ethics drafted by our city staff and then take citizens' comments on it," he said.

Chandler said the council's criticism of Arp was "all politics." He said he met with three other council members to discuss his differences with the city before Arp told him that a lawsuit was possible. He said he still believes the city's lawsuit against him was unfair.

"I can't imagine why they wouldn't want a rigid code of ethics to make sure that citizens get fair and equal treatment," he said. Mike Lee, (817) 685-3858 mikelee@star-telegram.com