Jul 9, 2008 4:53 pm US/Pacific
Oakland Officials Propose Reforms, Mayor Supports
OAKLAND (BCN) ―
-
-
The reform package announced Wednesday comes one week after Mayor Ron Dellums fired City Administrator Deborah Edgerly following allegations that she interfered in a police investigation involving her nephew.
San Francisco Chronicle
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums issued a statement Wednesday in support of a government reform package proposed by the city attorney and auditor at a morning news conference.
"I support, in principle, the package of reforms brought forward by the city attorney and city auditor and look forward to working closely with them on the details of implementation," the statement read.
Dellums said that effective immediately, his office has instituted a selective freeze on the hiring of new city employees, aside from police fire and other essential city services; a moratorium on all departmental travel without prior approval from the city administrator; and a complete review of all existing credit card policies.
At Wednesday morning's news conference, City Attorney John Russo and City Auditor Courtney Ruby proposed an administrative reform package that aims to hold the city's government more accountable.
The five administrative reforms proposed include a whistleblower protection ordinance, an anti-nepotism ordinance, reform of personnel department procedures, a new employee ethics program and reform of the city's records management practices.
"As we have all witnessed, recent events have created a crisis of confidence in our city government," Ruby said. "I believe that the five administrative reforms we're offering here today get to the heart of creating transparent, principled and accountable government in Oakland."
The reform package announced Wednesday comes one week after Dellums fired City Administrator Deborah Edgerly following allegations that she interfered in a police investigation involving her nephew.
Alex Katz, communications director for the city attorney's office, said "All of these things the city attorney, or city auditor, have been talking about for years."
But, he added, "This is obviously coming after the latest controversy at City Hall."
All components of the reform package, aside from the reform of personnel department procedures, will require City Council authorization, and Russo and Ruby urged the council to unanimously approve the initiatives as soon as possible.
The whistleblower protection ordinance is scheduled to go before the City Council on Tuesday, and the anti-nepotism ordinance will go before the finance committee on July 22, according to the office of City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, who sponsored both ordinances.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments