WSA - SUNSHINE ORDINANCE - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Sunshine Ordinance September 17, 2012 Page 4 and would be included as an attachment to applicable Planning Commission and City Council staff reports. 2. Increased Notification of City Legislative Meetings SACReD recommends a 14-day advance notification of all Regular Meetings, 72-hours for Special Meetings and Spanish translation of all notices. An alternative staff recommendation is to increase notification of regular meetings from 72- hours to 96-hours and have agendas identify all upcoming public hearings at least 14-days in advance, as well as list future "major projects." The special meetings would remain the same with a 24-hour advance noticing requirement to allow for emergency or time sensitive matters to be considered. Finally, translation of agendas and notices are available on all City webpages through a free translation application referred to as "Google Translate" that allows for up to 64-languages. There are no fiscal impacts to implement this provision. 3. RFP Evaluation Panels SACReD recommends that an independent panelist serve on the selection panels for all RFP or RFQ processes valued at $50,000 or more. An alternative recommendation is to adopt a provision similar to the City of Gilroy's Sunshine Ordinance, requiring that all RFP's be posted on the City's website from the date it was issued up to a period of 30 days after it is awarded. Additionally the website would be updated to include the name of the person or company awarded the contract upon award. Communications between the bidders and the City would be open to inspection immediately after a contract has been awarded. Assigning an outside panelist to the RFP or RFQ evaluation panel raises serious concerns regarding confidentiality and the City's ability to maintain the integrity of the RFP/RFQ process. The information considered by a panel in the review process extends beyond price to consider other factors such as responsiveness of the proposal, experience, past performance, qualifications of the firm, methodology, and performance schedule. It is an extended and complex process that requires strict confidentiality to ensure a fair and objective evaluation. City staff is highly regulated by the Santa Ana Municipal Code and personnel policies to ensure that conflicts of interest, other improprieties, or appearances thereof do not exist. These include, but are not limited, Political Reform Act - Conflict of Interest Code and Form 700, City of Santa Ana Gift Ban, Code of Ethics, and applicable Federal and State Regulations. WSA-4