File #: 23-637    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Passed
File created: 5/2/2023 In control: Human Resources
On agenda: 5/23/2023 Final action: 5/23/2023
Title: Sustained Finding of Violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. 2022-06-07 Letter to Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, 3. 2022-12-13 Letter to Humboldt County Administrative Officer, 4. Humboldt County Executive Summary Report -- Madrone, 5. 2023-04-24 Caltrans Response Letter and Attachments, 6. Code of Conduct
To: Board of Supervisors

From: Human Resources

Agenda Section: Departmental

Vote Requirement: Majority

SUBJECT:
title
Sustained Finding of Violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct
end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive, file and discuss the attached summary of a sustained finding of a violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct as required.

Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund and Liability Fund

DISCUSSION:
At the April 4, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct. The approved amendments to the Code of Conduct included the creation of a Committee (comprised of the County Administrative Officer, Director of Human Resources and County Counsel) to determine if a formal investigation should be initiated based upon a complaint of a violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct.

On December 13, 2022, the County Administrative Officer received a letter from the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Council alleging misconduct by Fifth District Supervisor, Steve Madrone at a March 29, 2022 Project Development Team meeting. The Committee convened quickly and determined that a formal investigation into whether violations of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct occurred was appropriate. The Director of Human Resources subsequently initiated an investigation with a neutral third-party investigator. The investigator completed the investigation and determined that the allegations were "unfounded in part, not sustained in part, and sustained in part." The findings are summarized in the attached investigation summary. Per the third-party investigator, a "Sustained" finding indicates that the investigation established that there was sufficient evidence to establish that the act occurred.

Per the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct:
...

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