Stanislaus Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District Michael Wapnowski, Acting Fire Chief*

R1

All Stanislaus County fire districts boards should adhere to California law. All districts should have a written manual of generally accepted governance policies and procedures. The manual should include policies for nepotism, credit card control, and check signing. The manual should be completed by December 31, 2018 (see appendix). Response: The recommendation has been implemented as noted by the Grand Jury in its report. Specifically, the Grand Jury noted that SCFPD met all benchmarks, as having on file: an organization chart, board member list and responsibility, credit card use policy, check signing policy, district bylaws or policies and nepotism policy. (P. 5.)

R2

All fire districts should establish a training requirement for board members in addition to that required by law. The curriculum is to be established no later than December 31, 2018 and shall include at least good governance, parliamentary procedure, Brown Act, nepotism, and conflict of interest (see appendix). Response: The recommendation has been partially implemented. As noted in the response to

R3

Certificates of ethics training and Financial Disclosure Form 700 must be on file in each fire district office for five years and at the Stanislaus County Elections Office. Response: The recommendation has been partially implemented as originals of the Form 700s are kept for 7 years. However, the SCFPD does not currently file the Form 700s with the Stanislaus County Elections Office. The SCFPD will explore making this a new requirement next year when Form 700s are filed.

R4

Fire districts are to ensure that meeting times and locations are posted consistently and accurately on district websites and with LAFCO. Response: The recommendation has been implemented. The SCFPD does post its agendas with meeting locations and times consistently on its website and sends those agendas by email to LAFCO.

R5

The fire districts and the community at large would benefit if the SCBOS would exert oversight of governance training. Response: The SCFPD defers to the SCBOS as to whether it wants to exert oversight of governance training is at its discretion. The SCFPD has taken consistent action to ensure that its actions are compliant with the law, and continues to strive for improvement in all areas.

R6

The SCBOS should advise the forty-two specials districts in Stanislaus County to obtain a copy of this report from the SCCGJ website for informational purposes. Response: The SCFPD defers to the SCBOS as whether it wants to advise the forty-two specials districts in Stanislaus County to obtain a copy of this report from the SCCGJ website for informational purposes.

R7

All fire district boards must comply immediately with the requirements for meeting notices, posting of meeting agendas, publishing of minutes, and financial statements as required by California law. Response: The recommendation has already been implemented. The SCFPD regularly posts meeting notices, agendas, and publishes its minutes in its Board agenda. Further, the SCFPD has financial documents, including its most recent budget, on its website and will continue to update the website to ensure compliance with this recommendation.

R8

Websites should be effectively maintained to abide by California law. The priority of websites should be to provide information and transparency about governance and finances. Current and prior agendas, minutes, financial statements, and audits should be posted (see appendix). Response: The recommendation has been partially implemented. The SCFPD regularly posts agenda, minutes in its Board agenda, and various financial statements on its website. Further, the SCFPD has some financial documents, including its most recent budget, on the website. SCFPD has recently embarked on an update to its website, and concurs with the Grand Jury report that items, such as public documents, agendas, minutes, etc. should be easy to locate and readily available. SCFPD will work to update its website

R9

Board meeting locations and times should be boldly identified. Signage visible from the street should announce meeting dates and times. Signage should be in place to direct citizens to the meeting room. Meeting rooms should be well-lighted, provide adequate seating, and free of exhaust fumes. Response: The recommendation has been partially implemented. The SCFPD agenda clearly details the time and location of its meetings. The agenda is posted at the front of the SCFPD headquarters. Although not specifically identified as an item for SCFPD action, SCFPD will work to place a sign at the front street location, which would direct citizens to the meeting location which is at the rear of SCFPD headquarters. The SCFPD does provide a well-lighted meeting room with adequate seating void of any fumes.

R10

Board meeting structure should routinely reflect the basic elements of accepted rules of order while conducting the people's business. They should start on time with a gavel or announcement. Board members and officers should be identified by roll call. Names of board members should be visible. Topics and guest speakers should be clearly identified, and sidebars eliminated. Response: The recommendation has already been implemented. As noted in the Grand Jury's report, the structure and formality of the SCFPD meetings were excellent.