HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2017 0118 CCSA REG ITEM 10H ITEM 10.H.
CITY oFMOORPARK,C LOFOR
City Council Meeting
MOORPARK CITY COUNCII2f /-1" 'I
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Maureen Benson, City Clerk
DATE: January 10, 2017 (CC Regular Meeting of 1/18/17)
SUBJECT: Consider Response to the Ventura County Grand Jury December 1,
2016 Final Report— Campaign Contributions Transparency
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On December 1, 2016, the Ventura County Grand Jury 2016-2017 provided the City
Manager with a Final Report entitled, "Campaign Contributions Transparency" (see
Attachment 1). The Grand Jury report found that the Cities of Camarillo, Fillmore,
Moorpark, Ojai, Port Hueneme and Santa Paula provide access to records of monetary
contributions made to their candidates for public office only through their City Clerk's
Office (and not online).
California Government Code Section 81008 requires Political Reform Act records to be
open for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours, and does not
currently require posting campaign statements online. The Moorpark City Clerk's office
currently complies with Section 81008 by accepting California Fair Political Practices
Commission (FPPC) campaign statement forms for filing, and maintaining these records
for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours. The filed
campaign statement forms are required to be retained indefinitely if a candidate is
elected and for five years if not elected. For the City of Moorpark, the long-term records
retention for FPPC campaign statement forms is complied.with by scanning the FPPC
records into an electronic imaging system.
Moorpark City Clerk Division staff can comply with the Grand Jury Report
Recommendation R-02:
"The Grand Jury recommends that all cities within the County (Camarillo,
Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley,
Thousand Oaks, and Ventura) direct staff to establish a direct link on their
website homepage for public online access to records of all monetary
contributions made to their candidates for public office."
114
Honorable City Council
January 18, 2017, Regular Meeting
Page 2
Additionally, staff can comply with making the format of the campaign statement
information that will be added to the City of Moorpark website generally consistent with
the Grand Jury Report Conclusion C-04:
"If the format of online information was consistent, the citizens of the County
would be able to easily compare records of monetary contributions made to
candidates for public office. The City of Simi Valley has the most user friendly
format regarding monetary contributions online."
A form was provided for response to the Grand Jury Report. Staff has provided the
attached draft response (Attachment 2)for City Council consideration.
Staff will begin posting the filed FPPC campaign statement forms online beginning with
the upcoming submission due on January 31, 2017. Consistent with the City of Simi
Valley, the information online will only be for all active candidate and political action
committees.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be minimal additional staff costs for the time spent posting scanned campaign
contribution forms on the City website. The forms are already scanned by staff for long-
term file retention as required by state law. Most of the initial additional staff work effort
will be to create the new section for the website. It is estimated staff would spend
approximately 10 minutes redacting privacy information from each candidate's
statement for placement online and 30 minutes twice a year to remove inactive
candidate and political action committee statements.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve the draft response to Grand Jury Report Form, and authorize the City Manager
to sign and submit the response form to the Ventura County Grand Jury.
Attachments:
1. Grand Jury Final Report Campaign Contributions Transparency, December 1, 2016
2. Response to Grand Jury Report Form
115
ATTACHMENT 1
Ventura County Grand Jury
2016 - 2017
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Final Report
Campaign Contributions
Transparency
December 1, 2016
116
Grand Jury
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura,CA 93009
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grandjury.countyofventura.org
Response to Grand Jury Report Form
Report Title- Campaign Contributions Transparency
Report Date: December 1, 2016
Response by: Title:
FINDINGS I CONCLUTIONS
• I (we)agree with the findings I conclusions numbered:
• I (we) disagree wholly or partially with the findings numbered:
(Attach a statement specifying any portions of the findings that are disputed;
Include an explanation of the reasons therefor.)
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Recommendations numbered have been implemented.
(Attach a summary describing the implemented actions and date completed.)
• Recommendations number have not yet been implemented, but will be
implemented in the future.
(Attach a time frame for the implementation.)
• Recommendations numbered require further analysis.
• Recommendations numbered will not be implemented because they are
not warranted or are not reasonable.
Date: Signed:
Number of pages attached:
117
. Ventura County 2016 - 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
Campaign Contributions Transparency
Summary
The 2016-2017 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) received a complaint
regarding public access to reports of monetary contributions made to candidates
for public office. The Grand Jury investigated whether the County of Ventura
(County) and the 10 cities within the County provided transparency by establishing
user-friendly online access to such reports.
The California Political Reform Act (Act) is an initiative statute passed by voters in
1974. The Fair Political Practice Commission, established by the Act, requires that
all local government agencies adopt procedures for reporting monetary
contributions. The Act also requires that the public have access to all records of
these contributions in an accurate, timely, and transparent manner.
The Grand Jury reviewed the California statutes and regulations governing
monetary contributions. The Grand Jury also examined the official websites of the
County and the 10 Cities within the County. In addition, the Grand Jury interviewed
government officials.
The Grand Jury concluded that information concerning monetary contributions to
candidates for public office is available for the County and the 10 cities within the
County. However, the Grand Jury found that there was a wide variation in
accessibility to this information.
The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors and City Councils of the
10 cities establish a direct link on their websites' home page for easy public access
to information concerning ail monetary contributions to candidates for public office.
Background
The Grand Jury received a public complaint regarding access to records of monetary
contributions received by candidates for public office in Ventura County and the
cities within Ventura County.
The California Political Reform Act of 1974, GC §87100 et seq., (the Act), as
amended, requires all local government agencies, including elected members of city
councils and county boards of supervisors, to report monetary contributions and
make the information accessible to the public.
The Act created the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) which has
established procedures for reporting monetary contributions and methods for
sharing this information.
Campaign Contributions Transparency
118
• • • Ventura County 2016 - 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
The FPPC requires all candidates for public office to file Form 460 for campaign
contributions of$100.00 or greater. The information on Form 460 is held indefinitely
if a candidate is elected and for five years if not elected.
Information on monetary contributions and contributor identity is kept by the
county registrar of voters for county offices and by the city clerk for city offices.
Methodology
The Grand Jury reviewed applicable California State statutes and regulations
governing political contributions, communicated with various government officials,
and searched online for monetary contributions made to candidates for public office
in the County and in each of the 10 cities within the County.
Facts
FA-01. The County's website provides access only to electronically-recorded
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The searcher
must follow seven individual steps before arriving at a page which requires
a specific name (last name only) and a.filing date. Once the searcher gets
to the "Summary Page", four additional steps are required to get to the
page which documents monetary contributions.
On the Summary Page it is noted: "Only transactions from electronically
filed documents are available through this website. Transactions from
documents filed in paper format are not viewable with this search."
All records of monetary contributions made to elected County officials are
available through the office of the Ventura County Clerk and
Recorder/Registrar of Voters. (Ref-01)
FA-02. The City of Camarillo's website does not provide access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The
information is available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-02).
FA-03. The City of Fillmore's website does not provide access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The
information is available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-03)
FA-04. The City of Moorpark's website does not provide access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The
information is available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-04)
FA-05. The City of Ojai's website does not provide access to records of monetary
contributions made to candidates for public office. The information is
available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-05)
FA-06. The City of Oxnard's website provides access to records of monetary
contributions made to candidates for public office. From the home page:
http://www.oxnard.org Click » City Departments >> City Council »
Election Information Campaign Disclosures »(year) Campaign
2 Campaign Contributions Transparency
119
• ' Ventura County 2016 — 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
disclosures. The information is also available through the City Clerk's
Office. (Ref-06)
FA-07. The City of Port Hueneme's website does not provide access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The
information is available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-07)
FA-08. The City of Santa Paula's website does not provide access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. The
information is available through the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-08)
FA-09. The City of Simi Valley's website provides access to records of monetary
contributions made to candidates for public office. From the home page:
http://www.simivalley.oro Click » Departments » City Council » City
Council Campaign Disclosures. The information is also available through
the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-09)
FA-10. The City of Thousand Oak's website provides access to records of monetary
contributions made to candidates for public office. From the home page:
http://www.toaks.org Click » Departments » City Clerk » Election
Disclosures » Council Member. The information is also available through
the City Clerk's Office. (Ref-10)
FA-11. The City of San Buenaventura (Ventura) provides access to records of
monetary contributions made to candidates for public office. From the
home page: http://www.cityofventura.net Click >> Departments » City
Manager >> City Clerk >> Campaign Disclosures Statements >> (Office
holder by name). The information is also available through the City Clerk's
Office. (Ref-11)
Conclusions
C-01. The County's website only provides access to transactions from
electronically filed documents. However, the website is overly complicated,
not intuitive, and may require the assistance of county staff in its
navigation. Access to records of non-electronically filed monetary
contributions requires a visit to the Registrar of Voters Office. (FA-01)
C-02. The Cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Port Hueneme and Santa
Paula provide access to records of monetary contributions made to their
candidates for public office only through their City Clerk's Office. (FA-02,
FA-03, FA-04, FA-05, FA-07, FA-08)
C-03. The Cities of Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura websites
provide access to records of monetary contributions made to their
candidates for public office through several steps. (FA-06, FA-09, FA-10,
FA-11)
C-04. If the format of onlineinformation was consistent, the citizens of the
County would be able to easily compare records of monetary contributions
made to candidates for public office. The City of Simi Valley has the most
user friendly format regarding monetary contributions online. (FA-09)
Campaign Contributions Transparency 3
120
• • ' Ventura County 2016 — 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
Recommendations
R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to
establish a direct link on the County website homepage for public online
access to records of all monetary contributions made to their candidates
for public office. (C-01, C-04)
R-02. The Grand Jury recommends that all cities within the County (Camarillo,
Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley,
Thousand Oaks, and Ventura) direct staff to establish a direct link on their
website homepage for public online access to records of all monetary
contributions made to their candidates for public office. (C-02, C-03, C-04)
Responses
Responses Required From:
Ventura County Board of Supervisors (C-01, C-04, R-01)
City Council of Camarillo (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Fillmore (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Moorpark (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Ojai (C-04, R-02)
City council of Oxnard (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Port Hueneme (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Santa Paula (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Simi Valley (R-02)
City Council of Thousand Oaks (C-04, R-02)
City Council of Ventura (C-04, R-02)
References
Ref-01. Navigation directions for records of monetary contributions made to
candidates for public office on the County website
(http://www.ventura.orq): (accessed October 5, 2016)
• Click » Government
• Click » Elected Officials
® Click » Clerk/Records
• Click » Elections (at top of page)
® Click » Candidates & Campaigns
• Click » Campaign Finance E-Filing System
4 Campaign Contributions Transparency
121
. Ventura County 2016 — 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
® Click » Public Access Portal
® Fill out information for candidate on Search Page, Click >>
Search for Summary Page
® For further itemized information, Clear the Summary Page,
then Click » Advanced Search
® Fill out information data form, using only last name of official
and specifying a date and dollar range to search
® Click » Transactions Search
• Select a specific transaction, Click >> Search
Ref-02. http://www.cityofCamarillo.orq (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-03. http://www.Filmore.ca.com (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-04. http://www.cityofMoorpark.gov (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-05. http://www.Ojaicity.org (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-06.. http://www.Oxnard.orq (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-07. http://www.ciPort/Hueneme.ca.usa (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-08. http://www.ciSanta/Paula.ca.usa (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-09. http://www.simivalley.org (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-10. http://www.toaks.orq (accessed October 5, 2016)
Ref-11. http://www.cityofventura.net (accessed October 5, 2016)
Campaign Contributions Transparency 5
122
- • Ventura County 2016 — 2017 Grand Jury Final Report
Glossary
TERM DEFINITION
California Political An initiative statute passed by the voters of
Reform Act or the Act California in 1974 establishing the Fair Political
Practices Commission which, among other
responsibilities, regulates campaign financing
County County of Ventura
Direct link A connection from a homepage involving no
more than one step or"click"
FPPC California Fair Political Practices Commission
Grand Jury 2016-2017 Ventura County Grand Jury
Home Page The opening page of the County's or City's
official website
Political Contributions Money contributed to a candidate for public
office or an elected official
Ventura City of San Buenaventura
6 Campaign Contributions Transparency
123
ATTACHMENT 2
Response to Grand Jury Report Form
Report Title: Ventura County Grand Jury 2016-2017 Final Report —
Campaign Contributions Transparency
Report Date: December 1, 2016
Response by: City Council of the City of Moorpark
FINDINGS / CONCLUSIONS
• We agree with the findings /conclusion numbered: C-04
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Recommendation numbered R-02 will be implemented upon the filing of
Semi-Annual Campaign Contribution statements with a due date of January
31, 2017.
Date: January 19, 2017 Signed:
Steven Kueny, City Manager
Number of pages attached: 1
124