Oversight Committee for Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax

As used herein, the term “official” is not synonymous with the term “public official” as defined in the California Political Reform Act. The term “official” shall not include members or appointees serving on existing boards or commissions of the City of Atwater, including, but not limited to, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The term “official” shall mean any person who is not an employee but performs the duties or functions of an employee of the City of Atwater for compensation under an outsourcing arrangement, including, but not limited to, the Fire Chief, the Finance Officer and any other positions which may be outsourced subsequent to the enactment of this Ordinance.

In order to preserve the integrity and independence of the oversight process, committee members will not play a formal role in contracting, project management, or any other aspect of the public safety measure funding. The committee shall serve in an advisory-only role to the City Manager.

The citizens’ oversight committee shall meet semi-annually (or as otherwise provided for in approved or amended bylaws) with specific meeting dates to be determined by committee members. Citizens’ oversight committee meetings are subject to the Brown Act. Meetings must be noticed and open to the public. Committee minutes and reports are a matter of public record and must be posted on a web site provided by the City. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the committee as necessary.

All committee members shall attend a training and orientation session prior to the first regular committee meeting. Committee members are expected to attend all regular meetings. Failure to attend two consecutive meetings may result in removal from the committee at the discretion of the City Manager.

Committee members may be removed from the committee only by the City Manager for repeated absence (see Section D of this section), for malfeasance, for failing to meet the qualifications set forth in this section or for inability or unwillingness to fulfill the duties of a member. In the event of removal, resignation, or death, the City Manager shall appoint a person to fill the vacant seat.