JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Ocean Pines Director Slobodan Trendic, left, last Thursday argued a proposed new ethics resolution would have contributed to his ouster last year, when fellow board members several times proposed motions for his removal. Director Colette Horn, right, who proposed the new ethics motion did not agree. Also pictured is Director Tom Herrick.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(May 31, 2018) Ocean Pines Director Colette Horn presented a first reading of a new document on “Director Ethics and Conduct” at last Thursday’s board meeting.

Formally known as Resolution B-08, the new policy was developed by an ethics work group created last year in the aftermath of an unusually contentious board of directors’ session.

That session included a failed attempt to oust Director Slobodan Trendic and culminated in the resignation of interim general manager and director Brett Hill.

Horn said the new resolution would “provide policy regarding ethics and conduct for members of the Board of Directors and officers of the Ocean Pines Association.”

Trendic, however, said the proposal concerned him.

“I can understand and appreciate the intent, but there are a lot of things in this resolution that actually are … a duplication of what already exists in several resolutions and, actually, the bylaws as well,” he said, adding, “There are a number of flaws here.”

“The only thing I can say is, if this resolution … existed last year, I probably would not be sitting at this table today,” Trendic added.

As an example, Trendic said the resolution would allow the board to create and staff an ethics committee.

“To me, that’s self-serving and a conflict of interest in itself, especially if you have a majority of the board that might have a certain view and opinion of the issues, like last year,” he said.

Trendic said although he respected the effort of the ethics group, he would prefer requiring directors to sign a code of ethics document similar to Ocean Pines employees, stating “they understand all the policies, rules [and] procedures.”

“The more I thought about it … the more I thought that this is really not something that we should do,” he said.

Horn did not agree.

“The purpose was to provide language that would give better guidance to the board, particularly in matters in which removal from the board might be under consideration,” she said. “And I do beg to differ that you would not be sitting at this table if this were in effect last year.”

Also during the meeting, Director Ted Moroney presented first readings for nine “C” resolution amendments, including those related to the budget and finance, bylaws and resolutions, clubs, communications, elections, golf, recreation and parks, and aquatics advisory committees.

The directors could hold second readings and vote on all 10 resolutions as soon as the next regular board meeting, June 23.

Full texts of the proposed changes are available online at www.oceanpines.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5-24-18-Board-Packet-1.pdf.