Wherever the words "warrant" or "check" are used in this code,
"warrant" or "check" means voucher checks.
(Prior code § 2530)
The city council may, by resolution, pursuant to Government
Code Sections 935.2 and 935.4, establish a claims board or commission,
and delegate to such board or commission, or to an employee of the
city, its powers to perform functions and make determinations relating
to claims as contained in this chapter, and in Government Code Section
900 et seq.
(Prior code § 2531)
All claims for money or damages against the city shall be filed,
presented and acted upon as provided in the Government Code of the
state, and as provided in this chapter. Such claims shall be presented
to the city council in accordance with the terms and provisions of
the Government Code, and if not so presented or acted upon by the
city council within the time specified by law, shall be deemed rejected
as provided by law. Any person may appear before the city council
in respect to the allowance or denial in whole or in part of any claim
or demand made against the city.
(Prior code § 2520)
Except as otherwise provided by law, no warrant or check shall
be drawn or evidence of indebtedness issued unless there is at the
time sufficient money in the treasury legally applicable to the payment
of the same.
(Prior code § 2520.2)
All claims for money or damages, where not required by law,
and invoices and obligations due and owing by the city as established
by contract, agreement or purchase order, or otherwise by law, shall
be audited by the director of finance and approved by the city manager,
both as to accuracy thereof, and the availability of funds for payment.
(Prior code § 2521)
All claims for money or damages, where a claim is required to
be filed by law, shall be in accordance with the terms and provisions
of the Government Code of the state. For this purpose, the city clerk
shall prepare and have available printed forms in duplicate for use
of all claimants. Each claim shall be stamped received by the city
clerk, and given a claim number.
(Prior code § 2522)
Each claim for money or damages, where a claim is required by
law, shall be submitted to the city manager within five days of the
receipt thereof for audit and approval by him. The city manager may,
in his or her discretion, refer such claim or demand to the city attorney
for a report to the city manager when the city manager deems the same
necessary. The city manager shall audit such claims and report on
such claims, whether approved or not, to the city council within thirty
days of the date such claim was first received; the report shall contain
the findings and recommendations of the city manager. All claims and
demands shall be submitted to the city council for final approval
or rejection, and the city council shall audit such claims and demands
as required by law. However, if any such claim is not presented to
the city council within the time authorized by law for action thereon
by the city council, all such claims shall be deemed denied, regardless
of the foregoing, where so provided by law, unless the city council
should take action thereon to the contrary.
(Prior code § 2523)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all payroll warrants, checks,
drafts, itemized statements of expenditures, invoices and authorized
or approved claims or demands against the city for money or damages
shall be first audited and approved by the director of finance prior
to payment thereof.
(Prior code § 2524)
A.
If the
city council finds that any claim or demand is not a proper charge
against the city, it shall be rejected by minute motion, and the fact
of rejection shall be plainly endorsed upon the claim by the city
clerk. The city clerk shall also, within five days of the action of
the city council, notify the claimant or his or her authorized representative
in writing of the action of the city council, and the fact of rejection
of the claim.
B.
If any
claim or demand is determined by the city council to be a proper charge
against the city, the same shall be allowed by resolution or minute
order setting forth as to each claim the name of the claimant, a brief
statement of the claim, the amount allowed, and a designation of the
fund out of which it is to be paid. In such event, the city clerk
shall notify the claimant or his or her authorized representative
in writing within five days of the action of the city council on the
foregoing facts.
C.
Any
claim may be allowed in part and rejected in part by the city council.
(Prior code § 2526)
If any claim or demand is allowed and approved by the city council,
the city clerk shall endorse upon such claim the words, "Allowed by
the City Council of the City of Pico Rivera," together with the date
of such allowance, and for what amount and from what fund, and the
city clerk shall attest the same with his or her signature. The city
clerk shall thereupon deliver a check therefor to the claimant with
a copy of the resolution or minute order allowing the same.
(Prior code § 2527)
The city council hereby adopts this procedure as an alternate
procedure to that specified to drawing warrants in Section 37203 of
the Government Code of the state, and pursuant to said Section 37203,
all warrants or voucher checks shall be signed by the mayor or the
city treasurer or deputy treasurer, and countersigned by the city
clerk or a deputy city clerk. In the absence of the mayor, the vice-mayor
may sign in his or her place instead. In any event, at least one of
the foregoing municipal officers must have executed an official bond
to the city covering the faithful performance by such officer of the
duties of his or her office.
(Prior code § 2528)
