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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.08 Conflict of Interest Code Grand Jury 4 CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 28, 1989 SUBJECT Response to Final Report of the 1988-89 Alameda County Grand Jury EXHIBITS ATTACHED,, : ' o Draft Resolution 'o Memorandum from Assistant City Attorney dated 'r July 13, 1989 RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION On June 23, 1989, - the City received a letter from the County of Alameda Grand Jury requesting a response from the City regarding the Grand Jury' s recommendations . In accordance with law, the City is required to respond to the Grand Jury Presiding Judge within 90 days from the date of the Grand Jury's Report. The Grand Jury has recommended that all agencies within the County require newly elected officials and newly designated employees to attend professional workshops which set forth the intent and requirements of the Political Reform Act of 1974 and the agency' s Conflict of Interest Code within 6 months of assuming the position with an annual update. The Grand Jury also recommends that all agencies require elected officials to receive training on the intent and the provisions of the Brown Act within 6 months of assuming office with an annual update. The Assistant City Attorney has prepared a draft resolution which would provide for the City Clerk and the City Attorney to provide training and annual updates on the Fair Political Reform Act, the City's Conflict of Interest Code and the Brown Act. It is Staff' s recommendation that the City Council consider the proposed policy and direct Staff to respond to the Grand Jury's Report by forwarding a copy of the adopted Resolution to the Grand Jury. COPIES TO: ITEM NO. °{ = RESOLUTION NO. - 89 - " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ************************** RELATED TO ALAMEDA COUNTY GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS WHEREAS, the Alameda County Grand Jury has adopted recommendations 89-53 and 89-54 as follows: "89-53 That all agencies require newly elected officials and newly designated employees to attend professional workshops which set forth the intent and requirements of the Political Reform Act of 1974 and the agency's Conflict of Interest Code within six months of assuming the position, with an annual update. " "89-54 That all agencies require elected officials to receive training on the intent and provisions of the Brown Act within six months of assuming office, with an annual update." NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in order to endeavor to comply with these recommendations, the City Council adopts the following policy: 1 ) Recommendation 85-53 a) Newly elected officials and newly designated employees are encouraged to attend professional workshops regarding the Political Reform Act of 1974; b) The City Clerk shall notify such officials and employees of workshops provided by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) ; c) The City Clerk shall meet with such officials and employees within six months of assuming the position to review the City's Conflict of Interest Code; and d) At its first meeting in March of each year, the City Clerk shall provide an update on the Political Reform Act of 1974 and the City's Conflict of Interest Code. 2) Recommendation 89-54 a) The City Attorney shall provide training to newly-elected Councilmembers on the Brown Act within six months of assuming office; and b) At its first meeting in March of each year, the City Attorney shall provide an update on the Brown Act to the City Council, which shall thereafter be distributed to all boards and commissions. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of August, 1989. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ATTEST: Mayor City Clerk P MEYERS, NAVE, RIBACK 64 WEST MICHAEL R.NAVE A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION PENINSULA OFFICE STEVEN R.1AEYERS NATALIE E.'NEST GATEWAY PLAZA 1220 HOWARD AVE.,SUITE 250 ELIZABETH H.SILVER 777 DAVIS STREET,SUITE 300 BURLIN14151 CA 94010-4211 MICHAEL S.P.IBACK SAN LEANDRO,CALIFORNIA 94577 (415)348-7130 MOLLY T.TAM! (415)351-4300 FAX(415)342-0886 ANNE E.MUDGE FAX(415)351-4481 MARIN OFFICE MICHAEL F.RODRIOUEZ 1202 GRANT AVE.,SUITE E OF COUNSEL NOVATO,CA 94945 THOMAS F.BERTRAND (415)892-8878 San EPLLegndro MEMORANDUM TO: Richard Ambrose City Manager FROM: Elizabeth H. Silver P, E C E J V E D Assistant City Attorney DATE: July 13 , 1989 JUL 13 1989 C•?-t;'! E ni)BLIN SUBJECT: Grand Jury Recommendations 89-53 and 89-54 You have asked for our opinion regarding the implementation of the above-referenced grand jury recommendations. "89-53 That all agencies require newly elected officials and newly designated employees to attend professional workshops which set forth the intent and requirements of the Political Reform Act of 1974 and the agency' s Conflict of Interest Code within six months of assuming the position, with an annual update. " "89-54 That all agencies require elected officials to receive training on the intent and provisions of the Brown Act within six months of assuming office, with an annual updating. " Although the City is under no legal duty to comply with these recommendations, it is our personal opinion that these recommenda- tions are sound and should be followed by the City to the degree possible. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the duties of designated officials under the Political . Reform Act and formalized training sessions would be beneficial. The FPPC sponsors annual training sessions open to all designated officials and employees; the City Clerk should notify all designated officials and employees of these training sessions and attendance should be encouraged. Both recommendations can be implemented by a Council resolution, such as the enclosed draft resolution. This approach would require that the City Clerk calendar these obligations on an annual basis and as new officials and employees assume office. If adopted, this resolution should be sent to Judge Ballachey. Please let me know if you need further assistance. • Elizabeth H. Silver Assistant City Attorney Enclosure EHS:dlg cc: Mike Nave