An Ethics Lesson Taught During Rawlins Council Meeting

JANUARY 24, 2025|

Photo – 2025 Rawlins City Council members – Bigfoot99 file photo

The governing body of Rawlins discussed the ethics of using city-owned buildings to hear from residents during Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

Newly elected Councilman Derek Elliott said the city must provide him with a place to meet with his Ward One constituents. Councilman Elliot said he already held one such meeting where longtime city residents discussed the needs of Ward One. As a councilman, Elliot said the city should supply him with a meeting place free of charge.

Councilman Elliot said that councilmembers should meet with their constituents and listen to voter concerns. By holding meetings in city-owned buildings, the cost would be small or nonexistent.

Councilman Steve Sanger informed Elliot that, as a council member, he is unable to receive any type of special treatment. If the city requires a resident to pay to rent a building, then the councilman must do the same.

Councilman Elliot emphasized the need to meet with his constituents in a centralized location and said the council should be permitted to use city-owned buildings for that purpose. Elliot accused Councilman Sanger of failing to offer an easy way for his constituents to contact him.

Councilman Sanger pointed out that residents are free to speak to their representatives during the regular city council meetings.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked Elliot how he secured a city-owned building for his first meeting. Councilman Elliot explained that he did not go through City Manager Tom Sarvey to reserve the building. Instead, the councilman said Community Development Director Lou Lascano gave him permission to use one of the city’s fire stations. However, during the meeting, Councilman Elliott said he was told that he could no longer use the facility.

Councilwoman Lewman reminded Elliot that, as a council member, he is not authorized to make demands of any city employees, except for Municipal Judge H. Michael Bennett, City Manager Tom Sarvey, and City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave. Councilman Elliot said he was unaware that he needed to submit his requests to City Manager Sarvey and promised to do so in the future.

Next, Councilwoman Lewman informed Elliot that council members cannot receive any benefits because of their position that are not available to every city resident, such as using city-owned buildings without paying the set rental fee.

Councilwoman Lewman said when she first took office, the Republican Party offered her, and Vice Mayor Darril Garner, their space at the Carbon County Higher Education Center to meet with their constituents. Lewman emphasized that the Republican Party paid for the space, not the city, and recommended that Councilman Elliot contact the party to arrange a meeting place.

Councilwoman Lewman said every member of the governing body must avoid any actions that can be perceived by the public as ethics violations. Councilman Elliot mentioned that residents are posting on social media, expressing concerns that the council isn’t listening to them. He said the council should have a way to meet with their constituents face-to-face.

Vice Mayor Garner told Councilman Elliot that he may use any city-owned building he wants, but he must pay the rental fee.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave agreed that council members may not use city buildings free of charge. Instead, Attorney Maberry-Nave suggested finding a way to hold large meetings without violating the city’s ethics policy.

Attorney Maberry-Nave explained that the rental fees go toward staffing the buildings afterhours and cleaning.

The city attorney said the council may choose to set aside money in a future budget to pay for public meetings.

Alternatively, Attorney Maberry-Nave said the council could choose to meet in a free to use space, such as the county library or a city park.

Mayor Jacquelin Wells said she will prioritize improving communication with the public during her administration.