EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 1, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: James Colin, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Grand Jury Report: “A Delicate Balance between Knowledge and Power:
Government Transparency and the Public’s Right to Know” Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the City’s response to the San Mateo County 2021-22 civil grand jury report: ““A Delicate Balance between Knowledge and Power: Government Transparency and the Public’s Right to Know” Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 1: Enhance Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Priority No. 4: Improve Public Facilities and Infrastructure Background
The San Mateo County civil grand jury is an independent investigative body composed of 19 citizens who conduct fact-finding efforts and issue written reports containing specific recommendations to improve local government operations.
The 2021-22 San Mateo County civil grand jury selected the following issue for exploration: “A Delicate Balance between Knowledge and Power: Government Transparency and the Public’s Right to Know” The civil grand jury’s work resulted in the report “A Delicate Balance between Knowledge and Power: Government Transparency and the Public’s Right to Know” which is provided in Attachment 1.
On August 9, 2022, the Interim City Manager received a letter from the San Mateo civil grand jury requesting a response by November 9, 2022.
Analysis
Please see Attachment 2, which shall serve as the City’s official response to the San Mateo County civil grand jury report.
Fiscal Impact
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this report.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice by making the agenda and report available on the City’s website and on a bulletin board located at City Hall: 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 (b)(5), in that it is a government administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
Attachments
A. Grand Jury Request Letter
B. Grand Jury Letter PRA
C. Resolution Grand Jury