Siskiyou County Grand Jury
2016-2017
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (8)
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
for Finding number 1. Recommendations are delineated in the same manner, i.e., R1 for
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
No recommendation. Response (Montague City Council): No response necessary.
F2:
One or more documented serial meetings took place in violation of the Brown Act. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees with the statement in the Grand Jury Report regarding the definition of a serial meeting. The City Council is not aware of documented instances of a serial meeting and therefore cannot either affirm or deny the finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Council should undergo periodic Brown Act training to ensure it is well versed in the Act and the limits the Act imposes on the use of emails, texting or phone calls among members regarding city business. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council has undergone periodic Brown Act training, most recently on September 8, 2017.
F3:
There is no orientation of new city council members. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council disagrees with the finding that there was no orientation for new City Council members. All City Council members have received the ethics training required by Government Code §53235. Following the Grand Jury Report on July 3, 2017, the City Council conducted a workshop with the City Attorney to discuss the Grand Jury Report and in particular the subject of relations between the City Council and City staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The City should establish an orientation training program for new and incumbent city council members which should take effect before the next elections cycle. Response (Montague City Council): Orientation and training of City Council members are important. Orientation training and programs exist, including those established by the League of California Cities. It is problematic whether the City itself should attempt to establish a training and orientation program.
F4:
There is an incomplete Policy and Procedures manual. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The City should complete its Policy and Procedures manual by January 2018. Response (Montague City Council): The City is endeavoring to complete the Policies & Procedures Manual by January 2018.
F5:
There is no written documentation of job duties or responsibilities for either staff or council members. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees in part and disagrees in part. The City Council is reviewing the job descriptions of staff. The job descriptions of City Council members are set forth in California Law and are not subject to local interpretation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The recommended orientation (R3) and the Policy and Procedures Manual (R5) need to clearly define the duties and expectations for City Council members, the City Clerk’s position and all other positions at the city by January 2018. Response (Montague City Council): The Policies & Procedures Manual will set forth the responsibilities of City staff. The responsibilities of City Council members are set forth in the California Law. The City Council is working to establish Council Protocols that will be adopted by resolution and will address the City Council relations with staff and related items. This should also be completed by January 2018.
F6:
Because more than one city council member gives instructions to city staff and the instructions are not consistent, the result is ineffective communication and expectations between City Council members and city staff. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The City Council should clearly define responsibilities in managing staff. Response (Montague City Council): It is expected the Policies & Procedures Manual will define responsibilities of managing staff.
F7:
There is no established chain of command between the City Council and staff members. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees in part and disagrees in part. There have been confusing relations between City Council members and staff but it is not felt that it is a “chain of command” issue. The City Council is working on protocols to regular council member relations to staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
While all city staff is responsible to the board as a whole, the City Council should generate an organizational chart, with each staff position reporting to a single council member. Policy should be decided by the Council, but should be communicated to staff via one person. Response (Montague City Council): The council protocols will establish a relationship between city Council and staff. It is not expected, nor is considered appropriate, for a single council member to direct staff.
F8:
The lack of orientation and training has resulted in confusion and inconsistent communication between staff and council members. Response (Montague City Council): The City Council agrees there have been confusing and inconsistent communications between the staff and council members. The City Council is not assured this is a result of lack of orientation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The City Council members should immediately avail themselves of online, free or low cost training programs concerning conduct, decorum and the governing of civic meetings Response (Montague City Council): During the workshop on September 8, 2017, the City Council spent considerable time addressing decorum and conduct of civil meetings. SISKIYOU COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM: Summary: In 2010, county libraries lost almost all of their funding. Although faced with many, many challenges, citizens help libraries to remain in operation through very limited funding and the work of volunteers. A long-term solution needs to be found and implemented. The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors was requested to respond and the Siskiyou County Librarian was invited to respond. Fl. Staff and volunteers at all the libraries are concerned that volunteer training is not standard at each library.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F3:
Only recently was City staff assigned the
F5:
The City, in conjunction with the
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
In order to minimize future conflict
R2:
Before beginning future projects, the City
R4:
Again, the City should provide direction
R5:
The City is to be commended for
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F3:
There is no orientation of new city
F4:
There is an incomplete Policy and
F5:
There is no written documentation of
F6:
Because more than one city council
F7:
There is no established chain of Montague City Council; R2 – R7
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R4:
The City should complete its Policy
R5:
The recommended orientation (R3)
R6:
The City Council should clearly define
R7:
While all city staff is responsible to the
R8:
The City Council members should
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F2:
There is no mention of the public law li
F3:
There is no central area to house the pu databases and access to passwords should
F4:
Thecollection isnoteasilyaccessibleto should be trained immediately to give
F5:
While online databases are available,
F6:
While attorneys regularly volunteer and
Additional Recommendations
2
Not linked to specific findings.
R5:
Instructions for use of the computer
R6:
Volunteers at the Yreka Branch Library
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Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
The definition of what is, and is not, in the
R3:
Under an amended MOU, the County
R6:
More emphasis should be placed on
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