File #: 19-558    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Business Item Status: Passed
File created: 9/11/2019 In control: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
On agenda: 9/16/2019 Final action: 9/16/2019
Title: SUBJECT: City Council Response to the Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of City Hall Facilities REPORT IN BRIEF City Council Response to the Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of City Hall Facilities. RECOMMENDATION City Council - Adopt a motion approving the response to the Grand Jury Investigation regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of the Merced City Hall Facilities and authorizing submittal of the response to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court by the Mayor.
Attachments: 1. Use of City Council Chambers.pdf, 2. City Council Response Re Use of Merced City Council Chambers v2.pdf
Report Prepared by: Steve Carrigan, City Manager

Title
SUBJECT: City Council Response to the Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of City Hall Facilities

REPORT IN BRIEF
City Council Response to the Civil Grand Jury Report Regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of City Hall Facilities.

RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the response to the Grand Jury Investigation regarding the Policy Related to and the Use of the Merced City Hall Facilities and authorizing submittal of the response to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court by the Mayor.

Body
ALTERNATIVES
Direct staff to make revisions to the draft response.

AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 405
Penal Code Section 933.05

DISCUSSION
On July 1, 2019, the Merced County Grand Jury issued a report on its investigation of a complaint regarding the use of the Merced City Council Chambers.

The Grand Jury made five (5) findings and four (4) recommendations which are set forth on the second and third page of the report. The Grand Jury also requested the City Council respond to the following findings and recommendations within 90 days:

Findings

F2. City employees are unaware of the policies regarding the usage of City Hall. Misinformation has been given to citizens.

F3. The City's Application and Agreement for Use of Facilities does not include the facilities available at Council Chambers.

F4. The policy dated October 17, 1994, entitled "Administrative Policies and Procedures: Rules for Use of Civic Center, Conference Room, Meeting Rooms, Exhibition Hall, and Council Chambers" was outdated.

F5. The policy dated May 20, 2019 fails to address some of the concerns put forth in this report as detailed above.

Recommendations

R1. The current Administrative Policies and Procedures should be updated and presented to the City Council for approval and implementation within 90 days of this report. Provide confirmation of ...

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