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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Sutter County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

City of Live Oak - Government, Transparency and Finances

25 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6

Findings 8 findings

F1 Page 35
F The City Council created a conflict of interest by appointing the Finance Director (consultant) to be the interim City Manager, between April 2018 and April 2019. F2. The City oflive Oak is overspending on professional service contracts without City Council approval. F3. Ethics training for City Council has not been completed in the legally mandated periods and content. F4. City Council members have not disclosed potential conflicts of interest or maintained a current Form 700, as required by law. F5. For several City Council meetings no minutes or video recording are available online. Other video recordings are incomplete or inaudible. --{6. The City Council meetings are not consistent with Brown Act regulations and City Municipal Codes conceming transparency and how meetings are conducted. F7. Live Oak is not requesting competitive bids for service contmcts per standard best practices. F8. City Council has repeatedly neglected to require term limitations, caps on fees, and a detailed scope of work in professional service (consultant) contracts. F9. The Water Enterprise Fund is urderfunded. F I 0. The Water Enterprise Fund does not comply with State regulations regarding the water loan covenant. RECOMMEilDATIONS . Rl City Council adopt an ordinance to ensure the separation of duties at upper management level within the next 90 days. R2. City Council create a new Ad Hoc committee to oversee consultant contracts and spending by the end of December 2020. ,^$3. City Council members immediately take the free online mandatory ethics training and submit documentation to the City Clerk for records retention and to the Fair Political Practices Commission. R4. Those City Courcil members with incomplete or missing Form 700 statements immediately resubmit the form to the City Clerk for records retention. ns. City Council shall direct City management to consult with specialists to immediately remedy the technical difficulties with audio and video recordings and upload any missing recordings or minutes online for full transparency. R6. The City Council maintain proper decorum during meetings and conduct parliamentary procedure training (such as Rosenburg's Rule of Order) for themselves and committees under the jurisdiction of the City Council within 90 days. R7. City Council re-evaluate all services and consultants under contract with Live Oak, on performance and value, by July 1,2021. R8. City Council direct the City Manager to examine contracts for scope of work, missing cap fees, term limitations, liability insurance coverage and make recommendations to City Council by the end of December 2020. R9. City Council remedy the missing revenue in the Water Enterprise Fund and come into compliance with State regulations regarding water covenant by the end ofJune 30, 2021. ,-.R10. City Council direct City administration to create and implement a water rate increase that utilizes the 2017 Water and Wastewater Rate Study's recommendations.
F2 Page 35
The City oflive Oak is overspending on professional service contracts without City Council approval.
F3 Page 35
Ethics training for City Council has not been completed in the legally mandated periods and content.
F4 Page 35
City Council members have not disclosed potential conflicts of interest or maintained a current Form 700, as required by law.
F5 Page 35
For several City Council meetings no minutes or video recording are available online. Other video recordings are incomplete or inaudible. --{6. The City Council meetings are not consistent with Brown Act regulations and City Municipal Codes conceming transparency and how meetings are conducted.
F7 Page 35
Live Oak is not requesting competitive bids for service contmcts per standard best practices.
F8 Page 35
City Council has repeatedly neglected to require term limitations, caps on fees, and a detailed scope of work in professional service (consultant) contracts.
F9 Page 35
The Water Enterprise Fund is urderfunded. F I 0. The Water Enterprise Fund does not comply with State regulations regarding the water loan covenant. RECOMMEilDATIONS . Rl City Council adopt an ordinance to ensure the separation of duties at upper management level within the next 90 days.

Recommendations 6