Stanislaus County Grand Jury
• 2008-2009
Riverbank City Council Civil Grand Jury Case No. 09-20c
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
chose not to disclose this information to the citizens. In Riverbank, information flows up to the City Manager, but there is a lack of information flowing downward to the City Council and to the level of City Clerk. One city employee stated that he or she was not expected to think, but to do what he/she was told. This has led to much intrigue, misinformation, and lack of vision of all levels of City government. There have been several reports of intimidation by certain City Council Members and concerned citizens to the line staff in the City Government. The City Manager is either unaware of this, or chooses to ignore it. There is no law forbidding individuals from voting for themselves.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
õelectedö City Council Member. The City of Riverbank has a strong City Manager/weak Mayor form of Government. The
F2
It was found that the City Clerk of Riverbank does not validate the accuracy of information
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
City Manager shall establish a more efficient manner of disseminating information to the City Council and staff. The City Manager needs to be more visible in his leadership role. The City Council should evaluate the City Manager on an annual basis.
F3
on election documents submitted to the City Clerkøs office, although the form(s) indicates a signature of verification. It was found that written policies and procedures are either non-existent or unavailable to
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The City Manager should evaluate his staff on an annual basis.
F4
staff and City Council Members. If available, they are not required reading. Without the knowledge of the City Council, the Vice Mayor purchased a table at a local
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The City Council should direct staff to develop a set of policies and procedures for each department. The City Manager should institute a policy that all employees read, and verify by their signature, the policies of the City of Riverbank on an annual basis. When verification of documents is required, the City Clerk or Assistant City Clerk should
F5
fund-raising event with personal funds. The signage on the table indicated sponsorship by the Riverbank City Council. There is no uniform method of disseminating information to City Council Members. There
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
review each document for accuracy and timeline. The City Council should publicly reprimand or censure the Vice Mayor for mis-representing
F6
is one City Council Member who does not use the Internet, e-mail, or any other computer based programs provided by the City of Riverbank.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
the Riverbank City Council at a local fund-raising event. The City Manager should contract with a professional consultant experienced in cities with rapidly changing population demographics, aging infrastructure, and organizational changes. The City Council should also develop relationships with cities that have successfully navigated the pitfalls of rapid change. One delivery system, paper or e-mail, should be used and computer training for the sole member who professes computer illiteracy, should be provided if the City chooses to use only an electronic mode for communication. Several interviewees were unable to recall certain dates, meetings, subjects of meetings, and
Additional Recommendations 2
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R7Court testimonies. It is strongly suggested that all members of the Riverbank City Council, City government, and County Board of Supervisors maintain records of the dates of meetings and the subject of said meetings to enhance their recall. Concerned citizens frequently question the actions of the City government and City Council.
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R8In the best interest of transparent government, the City Council needs to develop a set of policies and procedures. This would assist the members of the City Council and establish a sense of trust between the Council, City government and all of the citizens of Riverbank.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.