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Extraído del Informe Consolidado
Esta investigación fue publicada originalmente como parte de un informe consolidado más amplio que contiene múltiples investigaciones. Consulte el PDF consolidado para ver el documento completo.
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 19 findings
F1
Page 80
The Gridley Business Improvement District‟s non-profit status is listed as suspended, and this is due to an error by the California Secretary of State.
F2
Page 80
Any problem involving the Mayor serving as Executive Director of GBID has been resolved. 56
F3
Page 81
Some City Council members and the Mayor have had contentious interactions with members of the public and one another at Gridley City Council meetings attended by the Grand Jury.
F4
Page 81
The research and development concept for biofuel using rice straw became a catalyst for disagreement and animosity, dividing Gridley City Council and public opinion.
F5
Page 81
Rice straw was moved from the original location in the farmers‟ fields to the Industrial Park, at some cost to the City of Gridley, where it rotted, became infested with vermin and had to be hauled away.
F6
Page 81
Rice Straw alone has not yet been proven to be a viable source to create a biofuel.
F7
Page 81
Monies were used from City of Gridley taxpayer funds to purchase the parcel behind the Rio Pluma plant (Parcel #025-200-088) and pay the Energy Commissioner for his representation regarding NCPA.
F8
Page 81
The City of Gridley purchased land (Parcel #025-200-088) that was outside its sphere of influence at the time of purchase for a total of $679,000, using Gridley taxpayer funds. The land is still zoned for agricultural purposes.
F9
Page 81
Until recently, Gridley City Council agendas and minutes have been vague and lacked sufficient detail for the public to understand the issues.
F10
Page 81
Under the former administration, the City of Gridley engaged in notably ineffective record keeping and file maintenance practices.
F11
Page 81
Some proponents, including public officials, assured the Gridley City Council and citizens the Gridley Project would result in no cost to the City. However, Gridley City funds were spent.
F12
Page 81
The perception of conflict of interest exists regarding some Gridley City leaders involvement in the Gridley Project while serving in public office.
F13
Page 81
Emails have been used by Gridley City Council members to discuss pending agenda items outside the public arena, which limits City residents‟ participation in the governing process, and may violate the Brown Act.
F14
Page 81
The City of Gridley Energy Commissioner position has never been a paid position, other than when held by the former Council member who was appointed to the position in 2000.
F15
Page 81
The City of Gridley paid the Energy Commissioner from 2000 to 2009, even though the contract which was signed in 2000 expired in 2003. 57
F16
Page 82
The former Energy Commissioner appointed in 2000 to represent the City of Gridley with NCPA was paid $526,369.00 out of Gridley taxpayer funds. Gridley Project grant funds paid an additional $438,580.00 for services related to the Gridley Project. The total Energy Commissioner payments over a nine year period amounted to $964,949.00.
F17
Page 82
The City of Gridley has been pursuing the biomass project since 1994 and so far the project has proven non-feasible. At least one Gridley City Council member continues to advocate for the project.
F18
Page 82
The DOE terminated funding for the Gridley Project in 2010.
F19
Page 82
Positive changes have been made to address some of the past practices that created problems within the Gridley community.
Recommendations 9
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R1Page 82Schedule ethics and Brown Act classes for all department heads, elected and appointed officials, to be performed annually and keep records of compliance that are made available to the public, perhaps on the website.
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R2Page 82Create a timeline for the City Clerk to remind Gridley City Council members and Gridley City officials at the appropriate time to file Form 700s. Make available to the public, records of ongoing compliance with this requirement.
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R3Page 82Create a policy when seeking individuals for specialized positions to best represent Gridley‟s interests.
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R4Page 82Encourage GBID to move quickly to obtain their non-profit status by correctly registering with the Secretary of State of California.
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R5Page 82In concert with NCPA, continue to pursue other avenues of proven, affordable renewable energy, such as the solar project. Continue to make information regarding this activity available to the public.
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R6Page 82Hold public meetings at which community members can ask questions. Ensure that questions raised receive either verbal responses or follow-up responses that are also publicly available.
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R7Page 82Develop policy and procedures for effectively maintaining Gridley City records. Provide an estimated date of completion for these documents.
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R8Page 82Employ an independent firm to audit and investigate whether any Gridley City officials made decisions or took actions that would constitute a conflict of interest. Make the results of this audit and investigation available to the public. 58
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R9Page 83Create and document an internal audit committee (one person from each department) to audit and ensure that the Gridley City‟s policies and procedures are practiced and performed as written and executed correctly. Make audit reports from this oversight available to the public.