City Council Special Meeting Agenda - September 14, 2021
Memo to: Manteca City Council
From: L. David Nefouse, City Attorney; Michael Harden, Interim City Manager
Prepared by: L. David Nefouse, City Attorney
Date: September 9, 2021
Subject: Response to the Grand Jury Report
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Approve a Response Letter to the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury's Report "City of Manteca: A City Government in Turmoil," Case No. 0320, and Authorize the Mayor or Vice Mayor to Execute the Response Letter on Behalf of the City Council
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Background:
The San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury issued a report on its investigation of the City of Manteca prompted by multiple complaints it received regarding allegations of mismanagement on the part of Manteca City Government (the "Report") (Attachment 1).
The Report contains findings and recommendations on three (3) topics: Inconsistent Employment Practices; Ineffectual City Management; and Faulty Financial Operations.
State law requires the City to respond to the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations within 90 days of receipt of the request. Typically, staff drafts responses to grand jury reports and presents them to Council for approval prior to submitting them to the Presiding Judge of San Joaquin County Superior Court. Staff requests that the City Council review the draft response letter and finalize it. This item further requests that Council authorize the Mayor or Vice Mayor to sign the final response letter.
The San Joaquin County Grand Jury's Report on its investigation of the City of Manteca was released on July 15, 2021. The Grand Jury's investigation entailed conducting more than 20 interviews with city management and staff, past and present, and members of the city council, relating to allegations that took place in the years 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the Grand Jury reviewed relevant documents, media accounts, and relevant internet websites.
Section 933 of the Penal Code requires the governing body of ...
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