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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.
Placer County Grand Jury
• 2010-2011
Placer County Wastewater Advisory Committee
⚠️ 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 6 findings
F1
Page 58
The PCWAC does not have annual financial interest statements or Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) on file with the Placer County Clerk- Recorder’s Office. This is a contradiction between what is stated in the Committee By-Laws and the actual practice that has been implemented.
F2
Page 58
The PCWAC Agendas and Minutes are not consistently posted by the Director of Environmental Health for public access.
F3
Page 58
The Committee By-Laws state the advisory committee “shall meet regularly on a monthly basis and no less than quarterly…” This is a contradiction and may be confusing to the public.
F4
Page 58
The definition and application of a quorum in the Committee By-Laws is unclear and ambiguous.
F5
Page 58
There are specific rules stated in The California Political Reform Act regarding recusal. If there is a conflict of interest, the member must state there is a conflict; he/she must summarize the conflict and then must leave the podium and/or the room during consideration of that agenda item. This is not uniformly practiced and not clearly defined in the Committee By-Laws.
F6
Page 58
There appears to be inconsistency in following Robert’s Parliamentary Rules or the rules of order stated in their Committee By-Laws. Conclusion The Grand Jury concludes there does not appear to be purposeful malfeasance on the part of the PCWAC. However, there is concern for the inconsistencies within the context of the Committee By-Laws, follow-through of the rules of order, the practices of the committee, and by the Director of Environmental Health. It is important to keep the public informed with regular posting of the agendas, minutes, and meeting locations. Waste Water Advisory 58 2010 -2011 Placer County Grand Jury
Recommendations 7
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R1Page 59The By-Laws be revised regarding recusal of a member. In the event of a conflict of interest, the member recusing them self must leave the room.
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R2Page 59Redefine a quorum to be one more than 50% of the committee membership. A quorum be present at the time of voting.
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R3Page 59The PCWAC practices be consistent with the revised By-Laws.
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R4Page 59Keep the public informed as to how they function as an advisory committee to the Director of Environmental Health.
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R5Page 59The PCWAC require the members to complete the Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), and submit the forms to the Placer County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
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R6Page 59The Director of Environmental Health be responsible for posting the meeting agenda and location of the meeting 72 hours in advance: • At the front office of the Environmental Health Department, • The meeting board located at the Placer County Board of Supervisor’s Office, • On the Placer County Website (www.placer.ca.gov), • If the committee has no agenda items and there is no reason to meet, a cancelation should be posted in the same manner.
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R12Page 57Two representatives of the Public-at-Large B. Selection of Members: All members shall be appointed by the Placer County Board of Supervisors C. Terms of Membership: Committee membership shall serve two-year terms, although nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Board from re-appointing Committee members for more than one (1) consecutive term. VII. OFFICERS A. The officers of the Committee shall include a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair and Vice-Chair may be removed by a simple majority of the Committee. B. Elections shall be held at the first regularly scheduled meeting after January 1 each year. C. The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Committee. The Vice-Chair shall preside over all meetings at which the Chair is not in attendance. Should both the Chair and Vice-Chair be absent, the members may select an Acting Chair from committee members in attendance. D. The term of office for Chair and Vice-Chair shall be one (1) year. The Chair and Vice-Chair may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. Waste Water Advisory 62 2010 -2011 Placer County Grand Jury VIII. AGENDA, MINUTES, CORRESPONDENCE, AND NOTIFICATIONS A. The Chair and/or the Placer County Environmental Health Director shall determine the agenda for each meeting and notify each member of the Committee. The agenda will be developed as follows: