2020-07-21 Special CC SACIC MinutesSpecial Joint Meeting
Alameda City Council and Successor Agency
to the Community Improvement Commission
July 21, 2020
1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY
IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION (SACIC)
TUESDAY- -JULY 21, 2020- -6:59 P.M.
Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:08 p.m. and
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog, Knox
White, Oddie, Vella and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft –
5. [Note: The meeting was conducted via Zoom.]
Absent: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The City Clerk announced the Audited Financial Statements item [paragraph no. 20-500
CC/20-019 SACIC] was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Following the discussion, Vice Mayor/Vice Chair Knox White moved approval of the
Consent Calendar.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by the
following roll call vote: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye;
Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. [Items so enacted
or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
(20-501 CC/20-020 SACIC) Recommendation to Accept the Fiscal Year 2018-19
Audited Financial Statements and Compliance Reports.
Discussed the necessity for sufficient staffing in the Finance Department; sta ted
sufficient staffing is crucial during the audit process; discussed the departure of Finance
Department staff; stated staff turnover created a delay in the audit; the Memorandum of
Internal Control indicates a material weakness; outlined deficiencies in internal control;
stated the City has acquired the services of Management Partners to assist ; outlined
significant deficiencies; stated the matter is significant: Kevin Kearny, City Auditor.
Vice Mayor/Vice Chair Knox White inquired whether there are staffing concerns related
to the budget.
The City Manager responded the City is scheduled to close the books four months in
advance of last year’s closing; stated some of the issues should not have happened and
are being corrected for the future; staff is being put in the place to ensure proper
process going forward; there are budget constraints due to COVID-19; however, staffing
is being utilized to the full extent.
Special Joint Meeting
Alameda City Council and Successor Agency
to the Community Improvement Commission
July 21, 2020
2
In response to Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft’s inquiry about the status of the hiring
process, the City Manager stated the City does not have an Assistant Finance Director
position; the equivalent position was staffed after the first of the year; staff has been
catching up while working with the City Auditor; noted an offer will be provided for th e
Finance Director position within the next week; stated the position will likely be filled
close to Labor Day.
Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for updates going forward.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog expressed support for the points rai sed by the
City Auditor in the Memorandum of Internal Control; stated there are several key points
identified; it is important to have complete and full reports available for th e public; noted
the fund balance was reviewed and compared to previous years; discussed a table
showing reserves; stated the City should be proud there is a fund balance of more than
40%.
Vice Mayor/Vice Chair Knox White moved approval of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by the
following roll call vote: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye;
Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5.
(*20-502 CC/20-021 SACIC) Recommendation to Accept the First Quarter Financial
Report for the Period Ending September 30, 2019. Accepted.
(*20-503 CC/20-022 SACIC) Recommendation to Accept the Second Quarter Financial
Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2019. Accepted.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at
7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Secretary, SACIC
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.