HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - OPEN SPACE AUDIT PANEL (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
May 22, 2007
Darren Hernandez
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT PANEL
Administrative Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt a Resolution to approve the establishment of a Citizens' Financial
Accountability and Audit Panel to the proposed City of Santa Clarita Open Space Preservation
District.
BACKGROUND
On November 14, 2006, City Council created a Council Ad -Hoc Committee, composed of
Laurene Weste and Bob Kellar, to review the issue of developing a funding mechanism for the
purchase of undeveloped land and provide recommendations to the City Council.
Since then, the Ad -Hoc Committee has had several meetings with the citizens' committee and has
provided updates and recommendations to the Council. The Council has directed staff to pursue
the creation of an Open Space Preservation District, approved the Engineer's report, and has set a
Public Hearing for July 10, 2007.
Pursuant to a Councilmembdr's request to clarify the objective for utilization of the proposed
District funding, it is the intent to utilize the funding from the proposed Open Space Preservation
District to accelerate vacant land acquisition in and around the City. The attached Resolution
declares the intent of the City Council for the District to be in accordance with the guidelines
outlined in the proposed Open Space Acquisition Implementation Work Program, which is
attached to the approved Engineer's report. Furthermore, should the District pass, a work plan
will be developed to identify land to be purchased. The work plan will be similar to methods
developed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. As described in the Engineer's report,
funds are for land acquisition for open space and parkland in perpetuity and not for facilities.
Adopted. F .so. ' -31
It is now recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to establish a
Citizens' Financial Accountability and Audit Panel for the proposed Open Space Preservation
District. The role of the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel has been reviewed and
supported by the Council Ad -Hoc Committee and is modeled after the Santa Monica Mountains
Citizens' Committee.
The Open Space Preservation District Citizens' Financial Accountability and Audit Panel will:
a. Review and approve the annual work program to ensure land acquisition priorities are
being adhered to.
b. Review the accounting of the funds generated by the Preservation District.
c. Work in conjunction with the City's independent auditor to ensure that the
Preservation District funds were spent properly, and that good fiscal management of
the funds is occurring.
d. Make determinations as to whether the proposed expenditures are consistent with the
criteria and requirements established in the Engineer's Report.
e. Prepare an annual written report for the public, summarizing Items a—d above.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City from this recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution