Measure G Oversight Committee

200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas, City of Salinas CA 93901 www.cityofsalinas.org Meeting Minutes - Final Measure G Oversight Committee Committee Members: Maureen Wruck, Mayor Alondra Medrano, District 1 - Jose Andrew Sandoval, District 2 Jeffrey D. Wardwell, District 3 - Christopher Barrera, District 4 Brigid McGrath Massie, District 5 - VACANT, District 6 Steven S. Carrigan, City Manager Matt N. Pressey, CPA, Finance Director City Clerk’s Office: (831) 758-7381 Thursday, March 18, 2021 4:00 PM SPECIAL MEETING Teleconference in accordance with State of California Executive Order No.N-29-20 and N-35-20 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Meeting convened at 4:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: 6- Chairperson Brigid McGrath Massie Committee member Jose Andrew Sandoval Committee member Maureen Wruck Committee member Aidee Farias Committee member Alondra Medrano Committee member Christopher Barrera Absent: 1- Committee member Jeffrey D. Wardwell CONSIDERATIONS ID#21-100 Role and Responsibilities of the Measure G Oversight Committee Finance Director Matt Pressey provided a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of the Measure G Oversight Committee. “To improve our quality of life, maintain and enhance city services and facilities, including: crime and gang prevention; neighborhood policing and school safety; safety inspections; police, fire and paramedic response; fixing potholes, streets, and sidewalks; recreation and programs for youth and seniors; and other city services, shall the City of Salinas enact a one cent sales tax, that can’t be taken by the State, with citizens’ oversight, annual independent audits, with all funds dedicated to Salinas?” On November 4, 2014, the Salinas voters approved, the above, one cent transaction and use tax. It is a 15-year term that requires an annual audit and directs the City to establish City of Salinas Page 1 Measure G Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 18, 2021 an Oversight Committee. The Committee consists of no fewer than seven members of the public. Ordinance No. 2553 Oversight Committee, states that the City’s independent auditors shall complete a report by no later than March 31 of each year. The independent audit report reviews the collection, management, and expenditure of revenue from the tax authorized by Salinas Municipal Code Chapter 32. Taxation, Article VII Transactions and Use Tax, Section 32-94. Oversight Committee. By May 30 of each year, the Committee shall review the auditors’ annual report and issue a public report to the City Council. On March 31, 2015 City Council held a Study Session to establish the composition of the Committee, set the terms of office, and to define the scope of the committee’s responsibilities. Resolution No. 20726 was approved on April 14, 2015 by City Council based on input received during the Study Session. Oversight Committee meetings are scheduled three times a year, in January, May, and October. Meetings and Scope – Three times a year (Jan., May, Oct.) o By May 30 each year – Review of Auditors Report and issue a report to the City Council regarding the use of Measure G revenue and such other matters as the City Council may assign. (the second Thursday of May) o After City Council Adopts the Budget – For the purpose of understanding how the City Council directed the expenditure of Measure G revenue (Mid October) o Prior to City Council adoption of the annual budget – Committee comments are captured and presented to the City Council for its consideration. (the second Thursday of May) How to add items to the agenda o Add back Future Agenda Items section to the Agenda o Needs to be in-line with the scope of the Measure G Committee Staff’s responsibility o Prepare material for presentation at the committee meetings Responses to requests of committee members o Requests need to be in-line with the scope of the Measure G Committee o Requests to change duties of the Committee should be discussed with the City Manager and your appointing City Council member Can we add metrics to compliment the expenditure reporting? o This is a good idea for showing the community how well we are spending the Measure G resources o Departments have performance measures; we can align existing measure and work on additional measures How does the Measure G Committee members influence the budget? o Comments will be given to City Council; You should talk with City Manager and City Council members directly Chair McGrath Massie suggested that the role of Measure G Committee is not only to appoint a three-member subcommittee to review the audit, but to suggest a matrix, and staff can see what is scalable and what is reasonable and aligns with the expenditures. The subcommittee solicit from committee members what they want to describe what is being spent and what is being done. Committee member Barrera asked to have additional meetings, and to have the start time for the meetings pushed back so residents and community members can attend. Committee member Sandoval recommended the selection of Chair and Vice Chair be moved after November, once the Council has been seated. The selection can then take place during the January meeting. Committee member Sandoval also recommended that City of Salinas Page 2 Measure G Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 18, 2021 the Measure G Oversight Committee use one of their meetings to bring forth recommendations. Committee member Sandoval recommended, that the Measure G Committee be able to call additional meetings based on the majority vote of the committee members. Committee member Sandoval requested that items discussed and recommended be brought forward to the next agenda. Public comment: Andres Canseco expressed concern about streets and sidewalks, and it was his understanding Measure G funds would be used for the purpose of their repair Committee member comments: Committee member Barrera stated he is in favor of extra meetings each year and looks forward to serving in the Measure G Oversight Committee. Committee member Farias thanked staff for their work in communicating and putting together the meeting to make sure the committee members understand, and things are transparent, and information is shared. Appreciates the dialogue with Mr. Pressey and City Manager, and also Chair McGrath-Massie to help create this space to help communicate and become more educated. Committee member Farias further added that she agrees with a lot of what everyone was contributing. There is an interest to make sure there is maximum and accountability, and the Committee is doing the work that they can do to let the city know the great work that is being done with these funds. Agrees that they should have the clarity to be able to call meetings as they need them and as appropriate and to be able to have a voice as a committee. Also, in agreement with Committee member Sandoval about not having to go through the Mayor in order to call additional meetings. Committee member McGrath-Massie stated that she supports additional meeting in March and changing the elections of officers in January. Committee member Sandoval stated that he appreciates the open dialogue, in favor of the things that he brought forward. Committee member Medrano stated that she agrees with having additional meetings to help bring more much needed discussion to the Measure and push the agendas further to make this measure more productive. No action required. Receive presentation on the roles and responsibilities’ of the Measure G Oversight committee. ID#21-101 Appoint a Subcommittee to Review Independent Audit Report Finance Director Matt Pressey, Finance Director provided the report. Section 32-94 of the Measure G Ordinance states that the Measure G Oversight Committee shall appoint a Subcommittee to review the Independent audit report and submit a report to the City Council. The Subcommittee will bring forth the draft public report for review and approval on May 13, 2021. The Subcommittee to review the Independent Audit Report will be comprised of the following: Subcommittee members: Committe member Barrera City of Salinas Page 3 Measure G Oversight Committee Meeting Minutes - Final March 18, 2021 Committee member Farias Chair McGrath-Massie Upon motion by Committee member Wruck, seconded by Committee member Barrera, Committee members Barrera Farias, and McGrath Massie were appointed as part of the Subcommittee of the Measure G Oversight Committee to Review the Independent Audit Report and issue a public report to the City Council.was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: 6- Brigid McGrath Massie, Jose Andrew Sandoval, Maureen Wruck, Aidee Farias, Alondra Medrano and Christopher Barrera Absent: 1- Jeffrey D. Wardwell COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 5:22 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Brigid McGrath-Massie, Chair ATTEST: ___________________________ Elizabeth Soto, Deputy City Clerk City of Salinas Page 4