REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the City Council's Response to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled "Pothole Damage: Improving claims processes within Santa Clara County"
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 12, 2026, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury published a report entitled "Pothole Damage: Improving claims processes within Santa Clara County" (Civil Grand Jury report) (Attachment 1). The Civil Grand Jury report includes various findings and recommendations. California Penal Code Section 933(c) requires that a governing body of the particular public agency or department that has been the subject of a Civil Grand Jury final report to respond within 90 days on the specified findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the governing body.
The Penal Code outlines the following legal requirements for responses:
Response Standard for Findings
Penal Code Section 933.05(a) requires the responding entity to report one of the following actions for each Civil Grand Jury finding:
1. The respondent agrees with the finding.
2. The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor.
Response Standard for Recommendations
Penal Code Section 933.05(b) requires the responding entity to report one of the following actions for each Civil Grand Jury recommendation:
1. The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action.
2. The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation.
3. The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing bo...
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