Post Date: 08/21/2019 2:08 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2019

Contact: Ralph Dimarucut

(831) 420-5017

Report Investigating Complaints Against Two Councilmembers Released to the Public

SANTA CRUZ, CA – The City of Santa Cruz has released the report, “Investigative Report 2019 Complaints Against Two City Council Members,” to the public. The report along with a letter addressed to the Mayor and members of the City Council from City Manager Martin Bernal, a memo from the Human Resources (HR) Director Lisa Murphy, and copies of the policies can be found by clicking on the following links:

Investigative Report: 2019 Complaints Against Two City Council Members - Complete Packet

City Manager's Letter to the Mayor and Members of the City Council

HR Director's Memo to the City Manager

Administrative Procedure Order II, #1A Discrimination/Harassment/Retaliation Policy Implementation and Complaint Procedure

Administrative Procedure Order II, #1B Respectful Workplace Conduct Policy

Council Policy 25.2 Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Respectful Workplace Conduct Policy

The report is a part of the investigation that was initiated by the City of Santa Cruz’s Human Resources Department. To ensure transparency and maintain integrity of the process, an independent investigator, attorney Joe Rose of Rose Law, was retained on March 11, 2019.

The Rose Law group, based in Sacramento, specializes in investigations of this type. The investigator was retained to make an independent determination on the allegations and was provided unrestricted access to information and witnesses.

The scope of the investigation included complaints made by five individuals against Councilmember Drew Glover and Councilmember Chris Krohn alleging violations of the City of Santa Cruz Administrative Procedure Order Section II, #1B Respectful Workplace Conduct; and City Council Policy 25.2, Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Respectful Workplace Conduct Policy occurring between July 2018 and May 3, 2019.

The independent investigator provided findings and recommendations for moving forward. In his letter, City Manager Martin Bernal stated that he was “Committed to improving communications and relationships amongst Councilmembers and between Councilmembers and staff so that we may work together for the greater good.” In addition to the recommendations made by the investigator, HR Director Lisa Murphy is recommending that the Council form a subcommittee of two members to develop a code of ethics policy for the members of the City Council.

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