AgdaPkt 2013-07-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.1. - Page 4 3) Do organizational issues, whether real or perceived, persist within the SBWMA and are they further eroding confidence in SBWMA by both elected officials and the public? The previously mentioned 2009 Grand Jury Report pointed to concerns with the role the Executive Director played in the solid waste collection bidding process, and called into question the conduct of SBWMA management � In the last year, there have been headlines in the paper regarding the budget recommendations presented by SBWMA staff, and personnel decisions by the Executive Director have also come under intense public and media scrutiny. Whether or not these issues were grounded is not the only concern in the court of public opinion. What also matters is the way these issues are managed and who is ultimately accountable. It is this Council's view that these issues could have been handled more appropriately, had there been more appropriate oversight at the board level. As a public entity, it is the elected officials who are ultimately accountable. In summary, stewardship of significant public funds, accountability to the public, and proper oversight of a transparent public agency is what citizens demand from their elected officials. In looking at similar agencies throughout Northern California, the Blue Ribbon Task Force found them all to have elected officials on their respective boards. This is clearly a best practice that, with all due respect, the current Grand Jury apparently overlooked. Based on the above the City Council of Redwood City respectfully disagrees with many of the key findings and recommendations in the Grand Jury Report "South Bayside Waste Management Authority Board — Elected Officials or Senior Management Staff." Below are the City Council's specific responses to the findings and recommendations in the report. FINDINGS F1. One reason behind wanting to change the composition of the Board appears to stem from the public's concern over rate increases and service changes. Response: The City agrees with this finding. This is one of several reasons why the composition of the board should be changed. Elected officials are directly accountable to the public. F2. The organizational structure of SBWMA is a complex issue that the public does not well understand. Response: The City does not agree with a portion of this finding. SBWMA's organizational structure is not particularly complex compared to most municipal and governmental organizations. However, the City does agree that the organizational structure is not well understood by the public. ��Trash Talk Rethinking the Waste Management RFP Process by the SBWMA — 2009, Finding 11 & 12, 13, p 16 & Conclusion 2, p. 16 2