The Burien City Council selected an independent outside agency on Jan. 23 to investigate allegations of ethics violations raised against new Mayor Joan McGilton and Councilman Gordon Shaw.

The Seabold Group, a Seattle-based professional investigation and organizational consulting firm, also will look into an alleged leak of confidential information.

These allegations came before lawmakers on Jan. 9. The ethics complaint was raised in a Dec. 23 memorandum stamped "confidential" from then-Mayor Noel Gibb.

In that memo, Gibb addressed an allegedly illegal water hook-up, which he said took place across McGilton's property and was facilitated by Shaw.

The memo was also referenced in the Jan. 4 issue of the Times/News.

At the council's request, David Cline, interim city manager, provided a list of qualified investigators for the council to consider.

On Jan. 23, Shaw again recused himself from the discussion. McGilton was absent.

"I think the council should keep its hands as clean as possible of any influence on this process," declared Deputy Mayor Jack Block Jr.

Block noted that the King County Prosecutor's Office had recommended two parties and that a "coin flip" should determine who would be chosen.

However, Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak stated that she had researched the parties and there was a difference.

"I would recommend that we pick someone who will do a good job for us rather than tossing it to the wind," she said, referring to the Seabold Group.

The council then voted 4-0 to retain the Seabold Group, with Block abstaining.

Councilwoman Rose Clark suggested there should be three phases to the investigation, beginning with a probe into the conduct of the council members in question.

"They are living under a cloud right here in our community and I would like it cleared up as quickly as possible," Clark declared.

The investigation also should address who authored the confidential memo, and how it got to the Times/News; and Councilwoman Sally Nelson's attendance at the Water District 49 commission meeting on Dec. 28.

Nelson countered that her attendance at this meeting was irrelevant and said investigating it would be a waste of taxpayers' money.

Krakowiak agreed, noting she had spoken with the investigator regarding that portion of the scope, and they felt it would be difficult to find hard evidence.

In a unanimous vote, the council then narrowed the scope of the investigation to the conduct of McGilton and Shaw, and the release of confidential information to the press.

They approved contract amount, which will not exceed $10,000, and a budget authority of $15,000 for the investigation.

During the meeting, the council also unanimously approved the appointments of Jean Spohn and Gwendolyn Benedict to the Parks and Recreation Board.

Both appointees will fill terms through March 31, 2009.