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File #: 20-0655    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 7/15/2020 In control: County Counsel
On agenda: 7/21/2020 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action Including Introduction and Waive First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code Entitled "Compensation and Mileage For Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors" (Sponsors: County Counsel and Executive Office)
Sponsors: County Counsel
Attachments: 1. Grand Jury Compensation Ordinance Summary, 2. Chapter 2.14 - Grand Jury Compensation Ordinance, 3. Chapter 2.14 - Grand Jury Compensation Ordinance - Redline

 

To:  Board of Supervisors

FromCounty Counsel and Executive Office

Meeting DateJuly 21, 2020

 

Department Contact:  

Christian M. Curtis

Phone: 

234-6885

Department Contact:  

Carmel J. Angelo

Phone: 

463-4441

 

Item Type:   Regular Agenda

 

Time Allocated for Item: 15 min.

 

 

Agenda Title:

title

Discussion and Possible Action Including Introduction and Waive First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code Entitled "Compensation and Mileage For Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors"

(Sponsors: County Counsel and Executive Office)

End

 

Recommended Action/Motion:

recommendation

Introduce and waive first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code entitled "Compensation and Mileage for Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors”

End

 

 Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:

In 2008, Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code was amended to its current form by Ordinance No. 4199.  Earlier versions were enacted in 2003, 1999, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1987, 1984, and 1983.                     

 

Summary of Request

Under Penal Code section 890, the minimum compensation that may be provided to grand jurors is fifteen dollars ($15) per day and mileage reimbursement at the rate applicable to county employees.  The statute, however, provides that the Board of Supervisors may fix a higher rate by ordinance.  The Board previously enacted such an ordinance which provides a maximum fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) per day, as well as meal reimbursement if grand jurors attend for two (2) hours or more.  The proposed ordinance would modify the rates and eligibility for meal reimbursement for Grand Jury members in order to assist them with staying within budget. The ordinance was drafted after consultation with Grand Jury leadership.

 

The proposed ordinance would largely keep Grand Jury fees at their current rates, but would modify the requirements for the amount of meal reimbursement.  Currently, grand jurors receive nineteen dollars ($19) for lunch reimbursement any time that they attend a committee or panel meeting lasting a minimum of two (2) hours.  The new ordinance would reduce the maximum amount of reimbursement per lunch from the nineteen dollars ($19) currently set for County employees to a limit of twelve dollars ($12).  Additionally, it would provide that lunch would only be reimbursed after an attendance of at least three (3) hours of panel committee meetings instead of the current two (2) hours.  It also provides that lunch is not reimbursed for meetings attended by phone or other virtual means.

 

The proposed ordinance also makes a few changes for the purposes of clarity and consistency with legal requirements.  Reference to the County meal policy is deleted to avoid potential conflict or confusion.  In particular, the current meal policy would not allow employees to receive lunch reimbursement under the circumstances specified in the current or proposed ordinances, which creates some ambiguity.  Additionally, the ordinance clarifies that the minimum grand juror fees of fifteen dollars ($15) set forth in Penal Code section 890, or such future minimum as the State may later adopt, shall control in the event of conflict.

 

Alternative Action/Motion:

Provide alternate direction.                     

 

Supervisorial District:  All

                                          

vote requirement:  Majority

                                          

 

 

Supplemental Information Available Online At: n/a

 

Fiscal Details:

source of funding: GJ 2060

budgeted in current f/y: N/A

current f/y cost: estimated savings for FY 2020-2021: $11,400

if no, please describe:

annual recurring cost: N/A

revenue agreement: N/A

 budget clarification: Estimated savings of$11,400 for line item 862250 - transportation and travel.

 Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes

 

CEO Liaison: Executive Office

 

 

CEO Review: Yes 

 

 

CEO Comments:

 

 

FOR COB USE ONLY

Executed By: Deputy Clerk

Final Status:Item Status

Date: Date Executed

Executed Item: item   Number:

Note to Department Number of Original Agreements Returned to Dept: Choose an item. Original Agreement Delivered to Auditor? Choose an item.