200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #733
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5162
Fax: (714) 765-5164
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
DATE: AUGUST 29, 2023
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: SETTING A PRIORITY LIST OF REFORMS STEMMING FROM
THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE JL GROUP
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 20
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council discuss, consider, and take action regarding setting a priority list of reforms stemming from the recommendations from the JL Group investigative report, including but not limited to scheduling experts with subject matter expertise, and creating a transparent and public path forward.
DISCUSSION:
In July 2023, the JL Group concluded their independent investigation of the City and released a report with their findings and recommendations for improving policies and procedures. At the August 15, 2023 City Council meeting, City Council voted to have staff explore and return with options to strengthen the City’s policies on items proposed by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, which included City Hall worker protection, the City’s lobbying ordinance, public sharing of calendars, and the City Manager signing authority.
In order to create a transparent and public path forward, Mayor Aitken and Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Rubalcava met to formulate the following priority list of reforms and proposed calendar/timeline to address these initial items:
Meeting Date Topic
August 29, 2023
(Regular Meeting)
Setting Topics and Calendar
September 12, 2023
(Regular Meeting – Rescheduling of September 19th Meeting) Lobbying Policy
Including but not limited to:
o Defining a Lobbyist
(Government Affairs, Union, threshold for
money or hours spent lobbying)
o Department Heads, City Manager’s Office,
and City Council Reporting
o City Council and City Manager’s Office
Calendars
Setting a Priority List of Reforms stemming from the Recommendations from the JL Group Investigative Report August 29, 2023
Priority list of reforms – Proposed calendar/timeline, continued:
Meeting Date Topic
September 26, 2023
(Regular Meeting)
IT Electronics Policy
Including but not limited to:
o Require use of government phones
(for defined employees)
o Requirement to forward documents from
personal devices to government address, or
turn over access to personal device
o Document Retention Policy
(time period of current employees and elected,
and post-departure)
o Internal or 3rd party support service to
independently respond to Public Records Act
Requests (PRAs)
Ticket Disclosure Policy
Including but not limited to:
o Create better online searchable database for
City Council and City Manager’s Office
o Refund of ticket amount in violation of policy
October 10, 2023
(Added Meeting)
Ethics/Public Affairs Officer
Including but not limited to:
o Report to City Clerk
o Responsible for oversight and conducting
PRAs/Access to City Emails
o Oversee Lobbying Ordinance and activity for
lobbyists, council and designated City
employees, enforcement
October 17, 2023
(Regular Meeting)
Whistleblower Protection Policy
o Creation of expanded hotline for
staff/employees to report unwelcome behavior
o Create reporting process to report, investigate
and address conduct by elected officials/
City Manager’s Office/Superiors
October 24, 2023
(Regular Meeting)
Campaign Finance Reform
Including but not limited to:
o Disclosure before votes when a donor is
involved
o Limit amount of candidate donation to self
o Limit debt-recovery timeframe
o Limit timeframe to 18 months
o Limitations on Independent expenditures and
Political Action Committees (PACS)
Setting a Priority List of Reforms stemming from the Recommendations from the JL Group Investigative Report August 29, 2023
Priority list of reforms – Proposed calendar/timeline, continued:
Meeting Date Topic
November 7, 2023
(Regular Meeting)
Partnerships with Non-Profit,
Advocacy, Business Groups
Including but not limited to:
o Similar rules for advocacy groups/501c6 as
501c3
o Contracts with City disallow political action
work/PACS
o Require independent audit/budget to be filed
with the city
o Ban evergreen contracts with the City
City Manager Signing Authority
Including but not limited to:
o Review of spending authority of comparable
managers
o Limit of aggregate signing amounts
o Emergency signing authority
o Posting on City Manager websites
o Notice of 72 hours to council
Mayor Aitken and Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava propose these topic discussions include subject matter experts, with knowledge and experience in these matters.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact to the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager