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should take it. I could probably get into the debate as many of you have as to the definition of a quota, but we are given legal advice and we have to go with that. I don't necessarily like it, but I have to go with it. I think the problem for me in this case and in several cases that our Police Department seems to have been under attack recently, and I don't believe that is the case, with large law suits being on the ITont page, the controversy over the gunshot locator system and an advocate of the community who was later discovered to be on the payroll for that company. I'm angry about those issues and this quota issue because I feel that we've had a lack of communication, and I think that's ITom our City Manager and our Chief. And I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't sit up here and tell you the truth and what I felt. I'm not saying let's fire anyone, I'm just saying I think we've had a lack of communication. If we had been told about these things and given the reports we have been given on this particular issue tonight, my responses would have been different. I would have had information, ammunition if you will, to respond to the media and to the public. So that's what it comes down to for me. We need better communication as representatives of the people, so when they call up or the press call us we can answer." Chief Bolanos said he agreed with Council Member Leipzig with regard to the need for better communications. He said it was "often times difficult to know in advance when an issue is going to become public or go to the press. If I know in advance I always try to alert the Council in advance." Chief Bolanos said he believed communications go both ways and asked Council Members to call him right away with any question and he would call them right back. He said when he hears that a Council Member has a question, whether directly or indirectly, he makes a point of contacting them right away. He said he hoped they could establish a two-way dialogue. Council Member Leipzig said he appreciated his quick responses in the past, and since Council Members were only part time City employees and Department Heads were full time, he felt it was the job of the Department Heads to keep Council informed. He said he would continue to ask questions, but "Mr. Everett, Mr. Schricker, the Chief, you have to give us the information." In response to Council Member Ira's questions regarding the difference between the new measures and previous ones, Chief Bolanos said the department used to use a mean determined after a six months period, and now standards were established up front. Patrol Captain Warner said the last six months using the current program the average was 22 citations per month and using the previous program over a six-month period the average was 14 per month, but arrests had fallen slightly. Chief Bolanos said the previous average was 14.2 per month and the new performance measure minimum is 16. Council Member Hartnett said, "from a jurisdictional point of view for the Council this is essentially a legal issue.... The City Attorney's opinion is quite clear as expressed earlier, and it is backed up by the San Mateo County District Attorney. Mr. Burdick has presented us on behalf of his client a very interesting and I might say provocative letter in that it raises issues that we as a Council and our City Attorney acknowledged are good issues to REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 FEBRUARY 2, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 230 PAGE 15