HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05191987 - 2.3 To BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor N. C. Fanden Contra
Supervisor R. I . Schroder Costa
DATE: May 14, 1987
County J/' t�.y}�`
SUBJECT: Lafayette Veteran' s Building
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Deny the request of the City of Lafayette to transfer the
lease for the Lafayette Veteran' s Memorial Building to the
City.
2. Accept the findings of the audit of the Lafayette War
Veterans Inc. conducted by the accounting firm of Peat,
Marwick and Mitchell and commend that firm for their
excellent public service in donating their services.
3 . Urge the Veterans and the City Council to adopt a positive
attitude and work toward resolving their differences.
BACKGROUND
The veterans memorial buildings were built with public funds and
dedicated as a tribute and memorial to the citizens of our County
who served in defense of their country. The buildings have
served as valuable community resources for low-cost space for
meetings, weddings, dances and other community activities since
they were first constructed. Despite the incorporation of cities
and the tremendous growth of the communities around the various
veterans buildings, most of them continue to provide the same
service as a low-cost community resource. This is possible only
through the dedication and volunteer efforts of the veterans
charged with the responsibility of managing the buildings.
Over a long period of time, Members of the City Council of
Lafayette have made public accusations of misconduct on the part
of the veteran' s organization managing the Lafayette Veteran' s
Memorial Building. The Board, in response to the accusations
arranged for an independent audit of the Lafayette War Veterans
Inc. , the non-profit corporation formed many years ago to manage
the building. The accounting firm of Peat, Marwick and Mitchell
conducted the audit at no cost to the County or the veterans as a
public service. The findings of the audit clearly indicated that
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION D OMMITTEE
A OTHER
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SIGNATURE s : N* C, a den hrod
ACTION OF BOARD ON U May APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED
X _ OTHER _
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT IV AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES; NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED PHIL BAT EO �
THE OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 BY ,DEPUTY
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there was no evidence of misconduct, fraud nor material weakness
in the management and record keeping by the veterans. Minor
improvements in the accounting procedures were recommended and
the Lafayette War Veterans Inc. assure that the recommended
improvements were immediately implemented.
The findings of the audit shared with a community panel that
included City Council members, senior citizens, veterans and
ourselves, cleared away the cloud of suspicion created by the
accusations of the City of Lafayette Council members and
eliminated any grounds for considering the Lafayette War Veterans
Inc. to be in violation of any terms of the lease between the
County and Veterans for the Memorial Building. The panel,
including the Lafayette City Council members, accepted the
findings and recommendations (attached) of the Peat, Marwick and
Mitchell report.
In discussions with members of the Lafayette City Council there
was a clear, publicly stated intent for the city to take over the
building as a site for a city hall. Such action would change
the intent and purpose for which the building was and continues
to be dedicated for. This Committee can find no justification
for altering the present lease arrangement as proposed by the
City of Lafayette. The Veteran' s Memorial Building is a valuable
community resource to be used by the citizens of the area and
should continue to be available at low-cost to the community.
cc: Lafayette War Veterans Inc.
City of Lafayette
General Services Department
County Administrator