MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: Malissa Hathaway McKeith, Esq.
Date: March 31, 2022
Re: Inspector General Input for April 12, 2022 Mee.ting I am writing this email in my individual capacity. As you know, the Charter Review Committee has almost unanimously recommended that a ballot initiative proposing the election of an Inspector General (IG) be placed on the 2022 ballot. The subcommittee chaired by Warren Avery and Alia Rodriguez has spent literally hundreds of hours on this issue, and the Clarke Committee also devoted significant time on this matter. In July 2019, this Council directed further analysis.
In 2012, the City Council under then Mayor Loveridge unanimously approved placing an item on the ballot recommending an independent, appointed auditor. The voters rejected that proposal. Since then, Riverside’s population and budget have grown, and it is clear from public testimony taken over the past several years that an independent, confidential process for investigating fraud, waste and abuse is needed at a time when trust in government is declining. Riverside simply does not have an independent, confidential process now. Had an independent inspector general been charged with investigating Mr. Hunter’s complaints against RPU, an early resolution would have determined the merits of those allegations and potentially saved the City millions of dollars. In fact, one reason municipalities are appointing Inspector Generals is that the net money saved by addressing corruption early far outweighs the costs of those offices. Atlanta passed such an ordinance and amended its Charter in 2020. https:// www.atlantaga.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/office-of-the-inspector-general Both Riverside senior sta ff and Council members have stated they want more accountability “in theory”, but are concerned about the current proposal. The primary objections raised by staff and Council are that the Inspector General would be elected, and that the scope of the IG’s responsibilities is two broad. These are legitimate concerns deserving of further discussion, and I believe they can be resolved with a targeted process for developing amendments after Council’s input similar to how Council recently addressed issues with Mayoral vote.
Council can and should direct sta ff to work with Charter to incorporate the wishes and recommendations of Council. This could be done in the next 30-45 days so that the matter is brought back to Council in June and, assuming at that time the amendments are approved by Council, could proceed to two advertised public hearings in July. If desired, the Mayor and two council members could assist in the process (consistent with the Brown Act) to iron out what are important issues for our City.
Riverside’s Charter and the Strategic Plan both emphasize transparency in government and the right of the public to vote on the City’s governance. Just like in 2012, placing this item on the ballot and letting the public decide the issue reinforces the values of the City and of this Council in ensuring accountability.