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Findings and Recommendations 9 findings
F1
Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD members appear not to be familiar with certain requirements of the Brown Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD should have annual training in the Brown Act for its board members and support staff.
F2
Certain items were not identified correctly on the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District agendas, particularly those items discussed in closed sessions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Rodeo-Hercules Fire District should have annual training concerning how to draft agendas that comply with the Brown Act.
F3
Many members of the public do not know how to correct a Brown Act violation and do not know the time frame to object to a perceived violation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Rodeo Hercules Fire District should consider maintaining a website of the District's minutes and agendas, and identify funds to do so.
F4
Certain shortcomings in following the letter and spirit of the Brown Act may have eroded the public trust in the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Rodeo Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD should have a link for citizens to post concerns about possible Brown Act infractions, and identify funds to do so.
F5
At an October 2014 Rodeo-Hercules Fire District meeting, not enough copies of an employment agreement that was to be discussed that night in closed session were made available to the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Rodeo Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD should have a link to an organization such as The First Amendment Coalition (thefirstamendmentcoalition.org) for both Cure and Correct and Cease and Desist letters, with instructions, and identify funds to do so.
F6
The public may need more than 72 hours prior notice of an agenda item relating to labor contracts to evaluate the financial impact or to review the boards assumptions in regard to sources of funding because these matters are often complex.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Rodeo Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District and WCCUSD Boards should consider voting to extend the review period for contracts involving large financial commitments.
F7
Rodeo Hercules Fire District closed sessions are held at the end of evening board meetings, resulting in limited opportunity for public comment on the outcome of matters decided in closed session.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Rodeo Hercules Fire District, Reclamation District 799 and WCCUSD should have sufficient hard copies of supporting documents of items to be discussed in closed sessions before the closed sessions begin, and the ability to make and distribute sufficient copies if necessary.
F8
Decisions reached on matters discussed in closed session and the identity of the board members who voted for matters decided in closed session have not always been disclosed at meetings of Rodeo-Hercules Fire District as required by the Brown Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Rodeo Hercules Fire District should consider conducting its closed sessions prior to the beginning of an evening meeting rather than the end because members of the public are less likely to be present to comment at a late hour on matters reported out of a closed session. Contra Costa County 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report 1513
F9
Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department does not have the staff to keep a website updated. Contra Costa County 2014-2015 Grand Jury Report 1513
No recommendations for this finding
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District
Fire District
West Contra Costa Unified School District
School District