09-23-2015 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
CITY OF WEST COVINA
CITY COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2015, 6:00 PM
SPECIAL MEETING — GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1444 W. GARVEY AVENUE SOUTH
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA 91790
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Sykes called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Mayor Sykes
ROLL CALL
Present: Spence (arrived at 6:22 p.m.), Toma, Warshaw, Wong, Sykes
DISCUSSION ITEM
STATE CONTROLLER'S REVIEW REPORT
1) State Controller's Review Report of Administrative and Internal Accounting Controls
and Audit Report of the Special Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund, Traffic
Congestion Relief Fund, and Proposition 113 Fund
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the State Controller's Review
Report of Administrative and Internal Accounting Controls and Audit Report of the Special
Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund, Traffic Congestion Relief Fund, and Proposition l B
Fund.
Wednesday September 23, 2015
Mayor Sykes introduced the subject matter and City Manager Freeland announced the format for
this evening's agenda. Public Comments will be heard after the presentation of the report hoping
that the report will answer some questions. City Manager Freeland also stated the State
Controller's Audit and Gas Tax Audit have been provided to the District Attorney's Office and
tonight's meeting is being documented by a court reporter for the purpose of sending to the District
Attorney's Office if so directed.
City Manager Freeland provided a brief overview of the subject stating the presentation will
provide a review of the findings of the audit and turned the presentation over to Finance Director
Buhagiar.
The staff report and PowerPoint presentation were presented by Finance Director Buhagiar to
present the findings of the State Controller's Office audit of the City's Administrative and Internal
Accounting Controls and Special Gas Tax audit, the responses from the City and what the City has
done to correct the findings as identified in the audit.
Council and staff questions/discussion included vendor policies, controls, address changes and the
Director's role in adding or removing vendors; incompatible function, risk for fraud and fraud
control measures; and projections for year-end reporting;
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Public comments were heard from residents Phillip Moreno, Elsie Messman and John Shewmaker.
Council engaged in discussion accountability of finding as brought forth by speakers. Councilman
Spence requested to agendize for closed session discussion repayment of monies provided to an
employee under a separation agreement.
City Attorney Barlow addressed Council concerns regarding any possible pending prosecution to
hold those accountable for any wrong doing.
Closing Comments
Councilmembers made closing comment regarding the future of the City which included the
responsibility of the voters to make Council changes if they do not like what is being done, that
policies and procedure to not necessarily prevent wrong doing as politics do play a part; continuing
to work on issues, Council commitment to open dialogue, new era of the Council, public access to
information; and citizen communication with Councilmembers;
City Manager Freeland commented on moving forward to meet the goals of the audit.
ADJOURNMENT — Motion by Warshaw and seconded by Wong to adjourn the special meeting at
7:37 p.m. in memory of former Assistant Fire Chief Alex Rodriguez.
2
Wednesday September 23, 2015
Submitted 'by:,
J
Rosalia A. Conde, CMC
Assistant<City. Clerk`
Vme Toma
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