Kings County Grand Jury 2019-2020 Final Report*

Recommendations 5

• R1
  To foster government transparency and accountability, HGCSD board members should include a line item in the budget for the district's annual audits.
• R2
  The Plant Operations department should include line items in their budget for walkway maintenance and repairs.
• R3
  Training for the employees on how to properly fill out Form 3066 regarding the work area, including the specific location and alert the Plant Operations Department per policy and procedures.
• R4
  It is the recommendation of the Grand Jury that a copy of these Rules be distributed to and then reviewed with the City Council. There should be enforcement of violations of these rules. City Response: The City disagrees with the Finding 4. Further the recommendation is unnecessary and simply a restatement of the actions already taken by the Lemoore City Council. Please see the information in Response to Finding 1 above regarding the review and adoption of the Lemoore City Council Rules of Procedure. As to enforcement for violations of the rules, the City has done everything in its power to control the conduct of its members. The City would note that the findings do not appear to be related to Honorable Donna Tater, Presiding Judge June 18, 2019 one particular individual or circumstance. Despite this lack of clarity, the City in recent history has publicly admonished a member for not following the rules. When that did not work, the City publicly censured the member. When that did not work, the City Attorney sent a cease and desist letter. Ultimately when nothing else seemed to work the City filed a lawsuit in Kings County Superior Court, which was ultimately settled in a manner which to date, has corrected the conduct. The City, the Council Members, and Staff have all addressed the issues as they have arisen and will continue to do so in a professional, legal and fair manner. Sincerely, Nathan Olson, City Manager On Behalf of City Council For City of Lemoore Enclosures: Exhibit 1-A - Training Materials Exhibit 1-B - Minutes Kings County Grand Jury cc: Post Office Box 1562 Hanford, CA 93232 J:\wdocs\01943\001\\tr\00663685.DOCX Exhibit 1 -A — Training Materials, Exhibit I-B, and Minutes available for review on City of Lemoore website. . ***
• R5
  Government Code Section 56879 - requires the commission to initiate dissolution of a district when the State Controller notifies LAFCO of an "inactive district". As none of the above referenced district activities are triggered, LAFCO has no established authority to initiate an independent financial analysis of the district. Should the district falter in its financial sustainability and be rendered an "inactive district" by the State Controller, LAFCO would be notified by the State and then required to initiate a dissolution. Additionally, should the district demonstrate that it consistently fails to provide adequate drinking water supply, the State Water Resources Control Board empowered under Senate Bill 88 has the authority to order the consolidation of water systems. If this were to occur, the Home Garden CSD would likely be forced to consolidate with the City of Hanford system and handled by the State process and not LAFCO. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (559) 852-2682. Sincerely, LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION OF KINGS COUNTY Gregory R. Gatzka, Executive Officer Cc: LAFCO Commission h:\lafco\correspondence\6_4_2020_lafco_grand_jury_response.doc This page left intentionally blank S This page left intentionally blank RESPONSES TO 2018-2019 FINAL REPORT This page left intentionally blank City of RECEIVED JUL 15 2010 FMOORE CALIFORNIA 711 West Cinnamon Drive • Lemoore, California 93245 • (559) 924-6744 • Fax (559) 924-6708 June 27, 2019 Honorable Donna Tarter, Presiding Judge Kings County Superior Court 1640 Kings Court Drive Hanford, CA 93230 Re: City of Lemoore's Response to Grand Jury Report Dated May 28, 2019 Dear Judge Tarter: The City of Lemoore has received the Grand Jury Report dated May 28, 2019, and entitled "Lemoore City Council.". As requested, we are providing the following comments to the recommendations contained in the report. While the City understands the Grand Jury has almost unfettered discretion to investigate and issue findings and recommendations on those investigations, the City is disappointed that the Grand Jury has issued this report in a manner that seems to attack two specific individuals. Additionally, despite the requirement of the Grand Jury to maintain confidentiality (Penal Code section 924.1), the Grand Jury chose to cite to the interviews and comments of these two individuals in an effort to support its allegations that they engaged in misconduct, a claim for which the Grand Jury has provided no facts or evidence in support of the inaccurate allegations.