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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - OSPD FIN ACCOUNTABILITY (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: _ZZ_ CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: September 11, 2007 WrON/pRi 19 Darren HemAndez OPEN SPACE PRESERVATON DISTRICT - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT PANEL VACANCIES Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council approve a process and timeline to recruit and select City residents to fill the vacancies on the Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel. BACKGROUND On July 17, 2007, the Open Space Preservation District (OSPD) was officially formed by the City Council. Pursuant to Resolution 07-31 (attached), adopted by the City Council on May 22, 2007, a Citizen's Financial Accountability and Audit Panel ("Panel') is to be formed. The Panel will be comprised of five (5) members who must be residents of the City of Santa Clarita. Each City Councilmember will nominate one (1) Panel member and the Panel member's term is to be concurrent with the term of the nominating Councilmember. The Panel will: a. Review and approve the annual work program to ensure land acquisition priorities are 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 the requirements established in the Engineer's Report. e. Prepare an annual written report for the public, summarizing items a — d above. The Panel will not be responsible for the selection of land to be acquired by the City; rather, prospective land acquisition is the responsibility and authority of the City Council. Additional responsibilities, duties, and guidelines of the Panel will be outlined and formally approved in the Panel's Bylaws. On Tuesday, September 4, 2007, the Council Ad Hoc Committee for Open Space met and approved the following recommended timeline and process: September I 1 Council Meeting Council approves recruitment process and timeline. September 12 City Clerk posts and publishes Notice of Vacancies. Prospective candidates may pick up an application in the City Clerk's Office or via the City's website. Notice is published twice and posted in the Clerk's Office, the SCV Libraries, and the SCV Sheriff's station. September 12 — October 26 City Clerk receives applications. October 29 — November 23 City Councilmembers review applications, and conduct interviews at each Councilmember's discretion. November 27 Council Meeting Each Councilmember will submit nomination for ratification by the entire City Council. Staff estimates the first Financial Accountability and Audit Panel meeting will be held in January 2008. At this meeting, the City Clerk will administer the oath of office, the newly appointed panel will establish a regular meeting date and time, be given presentations on 1) the Brown Act and Panel Bylaws, 2) District boundaries and properties, 3) Engineer's Report, 4) duties of the Panel, and 5) 2007-08 Work Program, and receive comments from the public on matters not on the agenda. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other alternative actions identified by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The cost of publishing the Notice of Vacancies, estimated at $275, will be paid from the City Clerk Advertising Account 12300-5161.004. ATTACHMENTS Notice of Vacancies CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT PANEL VACANCIES FOR THE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita encourages residents to apply for a position on the Financial Accountability and Audit Panel. In addition to completing the application, applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation with their application. Applicants must be 18 years or older and must maintain their principal residence in the City of Santa Clarita during their term of office. Residents may obtain applications or further information from the City Clerk's Office by calling (661) 255-4391 or on the City's website, www.santa-clarita.com. The deadline for submitting an application to the City Clerk's Office is 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2007. Dated: September 12, 2007 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk Publish Dates: September 19 & 22, 2007