By: Libi Uremovic| Original Article at Patch.com
Agenda Item 5.a Internal Controls Review Committee was discussed at the November 18, 2014 Beaumont City Council Meeting. Apparently the Committee has already met in secret, which is a violation of the Brown Act.
84:40 Aylward: The City Council requested a full review of the City’s internal controls. A request for proposals was sent to approximately a dozen accounting firms and only one firm responded. The ad-hoc committee consisting of myself, council members Castaldo and DeForge, along with two citizens, Haji Dayala and um John …
Kapanicas: Halliwill.
Aylward: Halliwill. We’ve reviewed the proposals. I’d like to call Haji Dayla to explain why we’re recommending why we; the proposals should be sent out again.
Haji Dayala: My name is Haji Dayala and I’m one of the committee member. The committee has sent out the proposals, request for proposals, to about 12 different companies. Only one company responded back. Committee is requesting to postpone this thing until next year. And the reason for that is that with one proposal only you don’t have another option to compare what other options available to us. And also we need two more council members on the committee to have the opportunity to review the whole process and come up with a better response to it. Therefore the committee is requesting to postpone this thing until next year. Are there any questions?
Knight: No. We will appoint new members. You want this to go until January?
Haji Dayala: Yes, because we have only one proposal and there are 12 companies that have shown interest. But because of their manpower; availability is not there until next year. So the sake of the committee to make a conscious decision it would be best if we had more proposals come in so we can look at the different options available.
Knight: Okay. We will do that and we will appoint two of our council members. What time do you meet?
Aylward: Once the two new council members are appointed I’m assuming we’ll bring this back on December 2nd and coordinate our schedules to review the proposals that we receive and then bring you back another update or recommendation.
Knight: Okay that’s great, and it’s nice to finally meet you. We did see your resume and thank you for being here tonight.
89:00 Nancy Carroll: I Applied to be on the committee, but no one one the Council recommended me to the committee. At this point I’d like to again offer my services but now, after the first of the year, as Treasurer. So I think I’d be a good addition to the committee and since you’ve got the and you’re pushing it out to next year I’d like to consider adding the Treasurer to the committee. Thank You.
89:40 Castaldo: The committee is made up of two citizens that are very intelligent, that understand this. Their resumes are impeccable. I think the two new councilmen will be on to it, whoever they may be, will provide some security to the citizens.
The Brown Act California Government Code 54950-54963 : http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=2.&title=5.&part=1.&chapter=9.&article=