Citizen Complaint Form and Process

Process for Odebolt citizens to file a complaint

Process for Odebolt citizens to file a complaint The City of Odebolt has adopted a new process for its residents to file an official complaint. The document that explains the process and includes the complaint form can be accessed here. Filing a Complaint Complaints will be unsubstantiated if a formal complaint form is not completed and signed. Unsubstantiated complaints will warrant no action by the Mayor, Council, or staff. The form must include a description of the complaint and be signed and dated by the individual filing the complaint. The Mayor must also sign and date the complaint form. The person following up on the complaint and the date of follow up should also be included. A copy of the completed complaint form will be mailed or e-mailed to the complainant and copies will be made for the City Council for their information. The original completed complaint form will be filed at City Hall. Responding to a Complaint All complaint forms filled out will be turned in to the City Clerk who will then inform the Nuisance Chair. The Nuisance Chair will determine the validity of the complaint. Once determined, the Nuisance chair will present the findings to the Council, and the Council will determine what action (if any) needs to be taken. The City Clerk will then communicate to the complainant the course of action. There will be a formal motion if the Council finds the matter valid. Matters not found to be valid will be dismissed without action. Complainants will be notified of the City's decision not to pursue a complaint and the reason. Infractions Complaint For complaints involving municipal infractions, the Mayor will review the complaint form. Complaints will be investigated for validity and resolution. If found valid: 1. And this is the first complaint received, an informal notice will be delivered or sent to the offender specifying the complaint, action required to be in compliance with the ordinance of the City of Odebolt, and a reasonable time frame allowed for action. 2. In the event that corrective action has not taken place within the reasonable timeframe given, or in the event of a second complaint after the timeframe allowed, a formal Nuisance to abate will be delivered by the Sac County Sheriff's Department. 3. If no action is taken after the timeframe allowed on the formal Nuisance, the appropriate municipal infraction citations will be issued for each occurrence thereafter. 4. Should no action be taken by the offender, the City will seek legal advice on how to proceed. That is determined by the City Attorney. Non-Infractions Complaint Steps will be taken on non-violation issues to be resolved by the appropriate body. Example, matters involving street repairs will be reviewed by the Public Works Superintendent. The matter will be directed to the City Council in the event that simple resolution is not possible and the Council will be kept apprised of issues in progress. Misconduct Complaint If the complaint is about a specific employee, the complaint will first be forwarded to the City Clerk and the employee's direct supervisor. If the complaint is about a department head, the complaint will be forwarded to the Mayor. 1. The Mayor will make the determination as to how the complaint handling will proceed. 2. If legal counsel is required, the City Clerk will consult the City Attorney 3. If a closed session is required, the Mayor may call a special meeting with the City Council upon written request of the employee. 4. If disciplinary action is required, the disciplinary procedures laid out in the Employee Handbook will be followed. If the complaint is about an Elected Official, the complaint will be forwarded to the Mayor who will determine how to proceed. If legal counsel is required, the City Clerk will contact the City Attorney. Click the image above to download and print the Citizen Complaint Form.