HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff Report.pdf SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: August 17, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Richard Taylor, DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
City Attorney
SUBJECT: Consider Proposed Responses to Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury
Reports on Rehiring Pensioners, Emergency Dispatch in Santa Clara County,
and Fire Department Response Protocols and Consolidation Opportunities
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review the attached Grand Jury Reports and authorize the
Mayor to sign the proposed responses attached.
REPORT SUMMARY: The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury has directed that the City
consider and respond to three separate Grand Jury Reports (copies attached). The reports, all
dated June 15, 2011 are:
1. Rehiring of Pensioners: Bad Policy, Good Business Or Both?
2. “Can You Hear Me Now?” Emergency Dispatch in Santa Clara County.
3. Fighting Fire or Fighting Change? Rethinking Fire Department Response Protocol
And Consolidation Opportunities.
Each report contains background on the Grand Jury investigation, findings, and
recommendations. State law requires the City to respond to each finding and
recommendation directed at the City. None of the reports considered specific actions or
policies of the City of Saratoga. Instead, the Grand Jury looked at broad trends and
practices Countywide and has asked each City in the County (together with other agencies
in some instances) to review and respond to the findings and recommendations.
Given the complexity of the issues addressed in the reports a simple summary is not
feasible. The reports and staff’s proposed responses are attached.
FISCAL IMPACTS: N/A
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION: The City is
required to respond by law. The City Council may elect to provide alternative responses to those
proposed by staff.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION: The Council may direct staff to prepare responses to the findings
and recommendations that differ from those in the attached drafts.
FOLLOW UP ACTION: Staff will prepare final letters for the Mayor’s signature.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: Pursuant to Government Code
54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda item and was included in the
packet made available on the City’s website in advance of the meeting. A copy of the agenda
packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each Monday in advance of the
Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS: Grand Jury Reports and Proposed Responses