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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01182005 - C69 S E �� O TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS " •''••-� Contra ' :_ i j =' j _ �f FROM: 2004 INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE -yCosta , ®S S 0 f TE: December 20, 2004 County A couK SUBJECT: FINAL YEAR-END REPORT ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND DISPOSITION OF REMAINING REFERRALS TO THE INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Board of Supervisors referred 20 issues to the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) for its review and consideration during 2004, in addition to the screening of nominees for seats on selected advisory bodies. 2. FIND that the 2004 IOC made 19 reports on issues referred by the Board of Supervisors, and 42 reports recommending individuals for appointment to 105 Board advisory body seats. 3. RECOGNIZE the excellent work of the County department staff who provided the requisite information to the IOC in a timely and professional manner, and members of the Contra Costa community and private industry who, through their interest in improving the p g quality of life in Contra Costa County, provided valuable insight into our discussions, and feedback that helped us to formulate our policy recommendations. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ®YES ❑NO SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMEND IM N OF BOARD COMMITTEE PROVE OTHER SIGNATURE( '� ~ C G,O&LE B. UIL MA, CHAIR MARK eSAULNIER ACTION OF BOARD O APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED 0/11 R VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE AYES: NOES: SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: CONTACT: JULIE ENEA (925)335-1077 ATTESTED: JANUARY 18,2005 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF CC: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR R BYDEPUTY FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 2 4. REMOVE without taking any further action the referrals to the 2004 IOC listed on Attachment A. 5. REFER to the 2005 IOC the items listed on Attachment B. BACKGROUND: During 2004, the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) reviewed nominations to those advisory bodies for which the IOC has traditionally made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for appointments or reappointments, and conducted recruitment for vacancies on the Retirement Board, County Planning Commission, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Advisory Commission, and the Resource Conservation District. Our Committee appreciates the time and effort taken by the staff to these advisory bodies to recruit, screen, and nominate individuals to our Committee for approval and appointment by the Board. Their efforts in this regard allowed the IOC to focus more of its time on the following subjects: 1. EHS Internal Security Plan. The IOC was asked to monitor the status of the Employment and Human Services Department's corrective action plan to prevent welfare fraud. Our Committee received a status report on the Department's internal security efforts this year on December 6 and is reporting separately to the Board on this item today. In recognition that the EHS Internal Security Plan is a "living" plan that will continue to evolve in response to new challenges, we are recommending that the Department provide an update to the IOC in November 2005 along with a demonstration of the CaIWIN system. 2. Small Business Enterprise and Outreach Programs. The IOC reviewed the quarterly and annual reports, and provided guidance to County staff on policy issues related to the administration of the programs. We continue to be encouraged by the positive quarterly statistics. We have paid particular attention this year to the number of contract amendments and renewals and the reasons therefore. We also requested the Affirmative Action Officer to conduct additional outreach to West County chambers of commerce to encourage more representation of West County businesses in the SBE directory. We reported to the Board of Supervisors on this referral in June and September 2004 with and will be forwarding recommendations for recognizing the most successful and improved department performance. We recommend that the 2005 IOC continue to review these programs on a quarterly basis. 3. County Audit Program. In 2000, the Board of Supervisors directed that the Internal Operations Committee review each December the annual schedule of audits proposed by the County Administrator and the Auditor-Controller. The IOC reviewed the County Administrator's proposed program of management audits for 2005 and is reporting its recommendations to the Board separately today. Consideration of the Auditor-Controller's audit schedule will be postponed until February 7, 2005. As the audit review is a standing referral, we recommend that this item be referred to the 2005 IOC. • FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2006 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 3 4. Multi-Language Car)abilily of the Emergency Telephone Ringdown System. The loc was asked to monitor the status of the development and implementation of a multi-language emergency telephone ringdown system. The loc is continues to monitor tests of a public safety messaging device capable of delivering messages in any language. The Sheriffs Emergency Services Division is scheduled to make a status report to the loc in February 2005, therefore, it is recommended that this matter be kept on referral to the loc. 5. Retirement Board Attendance. During the April-June 2004 recruitment for Retirement Board candidates, the loc focused its attention on the attendance records of current Board of Supervisors appointees to the Retirement Board. The loc asked the Retirement Administrator to provide monthly attendance reports, which the loc monitored and reported out to the Board of Supervisors. The Board adopted in its 2005 legislative program the goal of establishing alternates for the Retirement Board seats to which it makes appointments. In recognition of the importance of County representation at Retirement Board meetings, it is recommended that this matter be kept on referral to the loc. 6. Adviso!y BodyRecruitments. On December 12, 2000, the Board of Supervisors approved apolicy on the process for recruiting applicants for selected advisory bodies of the Board. This policy requires an open recruitment for all vacancies to At Large seats appointed by the Board. The Board also directed that the loc personally conduct interviews of applicants for At Large seats on the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District's Fire Advisory Commission, the County Planning Commission and the Board appointees to the County Employees' Retirement Board. On June 30, 2004, the terms for one Fire Advisory Commissioner, one Planning Commissioner and one Retirement Board member expired. The loc recruited for each of the vacancies and the Board of Supervisors made new appointments effective July 1, 2004. In June 2005, three vacancies are scheduled to occur on the Retirement Board. Therefore, it is recommended that this item be established as a referral to the 2005 loc. 7. Policies for Notification of Affected Agencies Under the Industrial Safety Ordinance. On March 12, 2002, the Board asked the loc to work with the CAER Board to develop consistent policies for notification among affected agencies (including schools, nutrition centers, and hospitals) and the public of hazardous materials releases, to coordinate outreach and education efforts among affected agencies, and to identify alternatives for an stall clear" signal. No action was taken on this referral in 2004 and it is recommended that this item be removed from the loc's referral list. 8. Food Stamp Error Reduction. On February 5, 2002, the Board of Supervisors referred to the loc a letter from the State Department of Health and Human Services appealing to the Board to make a strong commitment to improving California's overall performance in administering the Food Stamp Program, and the task of overseeing the development of a Corrective Action Plan to reduce the County's error rate. The loc has been monitoring this problem on an annual basis and, as a result of corrective strategies implemented by the Department, the County's estimated food stamp error rate for FFY 2004 will be FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 4 approximately 1.83% (based on data through August 2004), a 87% improvement over the 13.99% rate in FFY 2001 that earned this County a federal sanction, and safely below the preliminary cumulative FFY 2003 federal tolerance level. Our committee is reporting on this matter separately today, and the Department is scheduled to provide a status report 5o the IOC in November 2005. It is, therefore, recommended that this item be kept on referral to the 2005 IOC. 9. Warrant Service Unit Pilot Proqram. On December 17, 2002, the Board of Supervisors requested the Sheriff to make a report to the IOC on the pilot program to reduce the number of outstanding felony warrants in this county and subsequent to that report, the IOC has been monitoring this program periodically. In June 2004, the Warrant Service Unit was disbanded as a result of budget reductions. The IOC is reporting to the Board of Supervisors separately on this matter today, but recommends that this item be removed from the IOC's referral list. 10.Development of an Ordinance Requiring Recycling of Demolition Debris. On March 25, 2003, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Internal Operations Committee the development of an ordinance requiring the recycling of construction and demolition debris that would apply recycling requirements on the construction of all new structures, and on the demolition and renovation of existing structures in the public and private sectors of the unincorporated County. The Community Development Department, Building Inspection Department, and County Counsel worked diligently and cooperatively with the Committee to develop the new ordinance, which was introduced on April 19 and adopted on June 8, 2004. It is recommended, therefore, that this item be removed from the IOC's referral list. 11.Vehicle Replacement Policy. At the 2003/04 Budget Hearings, the Board of Supervisors requested the Internal Operations Committee to revisit the County's vehicle replacement policy in light of what appeared to be a high frequency in vehicle purchases. The IOC met with the Fleet Services Manager and requested that an analysis be conducted of vehicle usage and recommendations, if any, for the intra-County transfer of underutilized vehicles, in accordance with County policy. The Fleet Services Manager made recommendations to the IOC March regarding the proposed 2004/05 vehicle replacement list, and the IOC's recommendations were forwarded to the Board of Supervisors as part of the 2004/05 budget recommendations. It is recommended that this matter be returned to the IOC in Spring 2005 in preparation for the 2005/06 budget deliberations. 12.Hazardous Materials Ombudsman Program. On November 4, 2003, the Board of Supervisors directed the Hazardous Materials Ombudsman to report to the Internal Operations Committee on December 15, 2003 on efforts to maintain community outreach regarding hazardous materials issues in those communities most impacted by local refineries and to establish and sustain a dialog with those communities on the possible usage of Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) funds. On January 20, 2004, the Board of Supervisors requested the Health Services Department to explore possible new legislation to broaden the criteria for use of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Bay Area Air Quality Management District supplemental environment project funds and related fines to accommodate projects that benefit the well-being of a community; and to make a FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 6 status report to the Internal Operations Committee in April on efforts of the Hazardous Materials Ombudsman to identify contacts for communities that would be impacted by hazardous materials releases from the 26 primary facilities in the County, and to hold community forums for the purpose of identifying projects that would mitigate the negative impacts of reduced air quality and contribute to the well-being of the community, should additional Supplemental Environmental Project funds become available. On March 15, 2004, the IOC received a report prepared by Dr. Wendel Brunner, Public Health Director, describing the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Bay Area Air Quality Management District policies governing the use of SEP funds, and recommended a County policy position on use of SEP funds. Incorporated into the report was an update on the new outreach efforts initiated by the Hazardous Materials Program Ombudsman to make local communities aware of the potential availability of SEP funds to position them to establish local priorities for use of such funds should they become available. It is recommended that this item be removed from the IOC's list of referrals. 13.Equipping Sheriffs Vehicles with Defibrillators. On December 9, 2003, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Internal Operations Committee the study of equipping Sheriffs emergency response vehicles with defibrillators. This matter was subsequently referred to the 2004 IOC. The IOC received reports from the County Administrator's Office and the Health Services Department on October 18 and December 20, and is reporting separately to the Board on this matter today. As the IOC has requested an opinion from the County Counsel to clarify related issues, it is recommended that this matter be kept on referral to the IOC. 14.Lobbyinq Ordinance. On March 16, 2004, the Board of Supervisors referred to the IOC the matter of developing, in the public's interest, an ordinance similar to that of the City and County of San Francisco that would require individuals, groups or entities that lobby the Board of Supervisors to register with the County their lobbying affiliations and regularly report their lobbying activities. Supervisor DeSaulnier provided an outline of the provisions he wished to see included in an ordinance and the County Counsel prepared a draft ordinance that was introduced to the Board of Supervisors on September 28, 2004. The Board of Supervisors wanted more opportunity to study and possibly modify the draft ordinance, and referred it to the Internal Operations Committee for further discussion and report back to the Board. The IOC continues to work on this very complex matter and is providing a status report to the Board of Supervisors under separate cover today. It is recommended, therefore, that this matter be kept on referral to the IOC. 15.Internal Services Fund for Fleet Management. On March 15, 2004, in the context of a report on underutilized vehicles, the Fleet Services Manager proposed to the IOC the concept of establishing an Internal Services Fund (ISF) for accounting and management of the County fleet. This proposal was introduced prior to the adoption of the FY 2004/05 County Budget, which eliminated over $4 million from the Fleet Services budget. The Committee asked the County Administrator to study this suggestion and report back with any recommendations. The County Administrator, after analyzing the fiscal implications of the proposal and meeting with affected departments, recommended that the proposal not FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 6 be implemented at this time and be reconsidered in 18 months. The IOC is reporting to the Board separately on this matter today. It is, therefore, recommended that this matter be referred to the 2006 IOC. 16.Cable Franchise Neqotiations with Comcast. On May 18, 2004, the Board of Supervisors referred to the IOC the negotiations with Comcast for cable franchise services. The IOC determined that the County should begin the formal negotiation process and on August 3, a Joint Request for Renewal Proposal for Cable Franchises was issued with a submission deadline of October 5, 2004. It is recommended, therefore, that this matter be removed from the IOC's list of referrals. 17.Local Vendor Preference. On August 10, 2004, the Board of Supervisors referred to Internal Operations Committee the creation of a policy to grant a five percent preference to Contra Costa County vendors on all sealed bids or proposals except with respect to those contracts which state law requires to be granted to the lowest bidder, and review of an ordinance to be drafted by County Counsel to enact this policy. The IOC was unable to complete this referral and it is, therefore, recommended that the matter be referred to the 2005 IOC. 18.Cardroom Employee Worker Permits. On October 5, 2004, the Board of Supervisors, in response to an increased number of appeals, referred to the IOC the matter of the criteria for approving or denying card room worker permits. The IOC met with the Sheriff and the County Counsel to clarify a number of questions related to jurisdiction and process, and is recommending in a separate report that the County ordinance be revised to be consistent with State law. It is recommended, therefore, that this item be removed from the IOC's list of referrals. 19.Citizenship Initiative to Promote Voter Turnout. On September 21, 2004, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Internal Operation Committees the matter of establishing a VTO (voluntary time off without pay) program for county employees who work the polls on Election Day in which 50% of salary savings would be placed in a discreet county account to support a citizens initiative to increase voter turnout. As this referral was received too late to be studied and potentially implemented for the November 2004 Election, it is recommended that the matter be referred to the 2005 IOC for possible implementation for future elections. 20.Department ADA Self-Evaluation Questionnaires. On December 14, 2004, the Board of Supervisors referred to the IOC a report on the County's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Department Self-Evaluation Questionnaires for Activities, Services, and Programs. As this referral was received too late to be reviewed by the 2004 IOC, it is recommended that the matter be referred to the 2005 IOC. 21.Creation of an Ethics Commission and a Voluntary Fair Campaign Pledge. On December 14, 2004 and January 11, 2005, the Board of Supervisors referred to the IOC the concept of creating an Ethics Commission to be advisory to the Board of Supervisors on all campaign-related ordinances, and a Voluntary Fair Campaign Pledge for candidates and FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 7 independent expenditures. As this referral was received too late to be reviewed by the 2004 IOC, it is recommended that the matter be referred to the 2005 IOC. FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 8 ATTACHMENT A LIST OF REFERRALS TO BE REMOVED #7 Policies for notifying affected agencies of hazardous materials releases #9 Warrant Service Unit Pilot Program #10 Development of an ordinance requiring recycling of demolition debris #12 Hazardous Materials Program Ombudsman #15 Internal Services Fund for fleet management #16 Cable franchise negotiations with Comcast #18 Card Room Employee Worker Permits FINAL YEAR-END REPORT JANUARY 18, 2005 200410 COMMITTEE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 9 ATTACHMENT B LIST OF ITEMS TO BE REFERRED TO THE 2005 INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE #1 Continued monitoring of the implementation of the EHS Internal Security Plan #2 Continued policy oversight and quarterly monitoring of the Small Business Enterprise and Outreach programs #3 Review of the annual audit schedule #4 Continued monitoring of the progress on implementing a multi-language emergency telephone notification system #6 Advisory Body recruitments —three vacancies on Retirement Board #8 Food stamp error reduction #11 Vehicle replacement plan — review of annual Master Replacement List #13 Equipping Sheriff's vehicles with defibrillators #14 Lobbying ordinance #17 Local Vendor Preference #19 Citizenship Initiative to promote voter turnout #20 Department ADA Self-Evaluation Questionnaires #21 Creation of an Ethics Commission and voluntary fair campaign pledge g