COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Transcription

1 COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS FISCAL YEAR WORK PLAN AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ellis Levinson, Chair Charlotte Casey Bill Ferguson Japneet Kaur Matthew Rafat Neil Salem 1

2 MISSION STATEMENT: The Advisory Commission on Consumer Affairs was established by Ordinance No. NS of Santa Clara County Ordinance Code. We generally assist and advise the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County appropriate action to be taken to protect the interests of consumers in this county. When necessary or advisable, we also consult and work with other government agencies to enhance our efforts to reach the consumer and to avoid duplication of efforts. We also take in consumer complaints and have meetings where consumers can participate and alert the commission to various problems within the community. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Advisory Commission on Consumer Affairs was established by Ordinance No. NS of Santa Clara County Ordinance Code. 2

3 FISCAL YEAR WORK PLAN GOAL/OBJECTIVE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES PRIORITY RANKING TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION Give input to the County s legislative proposals for the upcoming year. Review the proposals and determine whether any proposals fall within the scope of our commission. If so, give feedback. 1 July Give input to the Board of Supervisors (BS) on internet-related issues such as net neutrality, ad privacy, media consolidation, and the need to update the electronic privacy laws. Investigate the issue of payday loans and decide whether we need to suggest action on this issue to the BOS. Investigate and take action on the issue of whether restaurants should be required to recycle their recyclable plastics. Discuss and take action on the issue of the Move your money (bank locally) campaign. Continue discussion and take action on the issue of whether Santa Clara County needs its own Department of Consumer Affairs. Investigate, discuss and take action on the controversy around PG&E smart meters. Research and investigate these issues. Try to agree on proposals to submit to BOS. 2 July Get a presentation from local people who are looking into the issue. 3 August Investigate and discuss current situation in local 4 September restaurants. Discuss this campaign. 5 October Investigate which bank the county currently uses. Continue discussion, try to reach 6 November Get information from TURN (The Utility Reform Network) Discuss what action would be appropriate. 7 August Look into whether the Health Advisory Commission has taken a stand on the issue of hospital checklists. Discuss whether we should make a recommendation to the Health Advisory Commission on this issue. 8 October 3

4 PRIOR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS GOAL/OBJECTIVE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING GOAL STATUS 1. Publicized the important consumer issues and alerted public to various consumer scams. Received regular reports from Consumer Protection Unit (Office of District Attorney) regarding issues that they are handling, including the successful prosecution of fraudulent mortgage brokers. Completed 2. Discuss consumer issues related to the deteriorating economy such as mortgage modification schemes and insurance fraud and how to educate the public about these and other consumer protection issues. 3. Follow up on the issue of clarifying the terms vegetarian, veggie and vegie in restaurant advertising. 4. Make a recommendation to Board of Supervisors on the proposed county ordinance banning plastic bags.. Discussed mortgage banking reforms and disclosure of interest rates in advertisements. Investigated possible avenues for legislation on the issue. Took note of the addition of the issue that we had raised to the BOS regarding increased food labeling transparency, particularly for items labeled veggie, vegie or vegan. Attended a meeting of the Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission to find out what was happening with the proposed ordinance. Discussed pros and cons but did not take action because county had already reached Did not agree on any specific proposal Completed No action needed 4

5 ONGOING PROJECTS PROJECT Educate ourselves and alert the public about important consumer issues. Monitor consumer issues with a view toward recommendations to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors. ACTIVITIES Work with Consumer Protection Unit (Office of District Attorney) to find out about what issues the public is bringing to that office. Invite speakers to Commission meetings from groups such as the Better Business Bureau and the state Department of Insurance. Review state Department of Consumer Affairs web site on a regular basis. Send delegates to the annual conference of the California Consumer Affairs Association Review other web sites with information of interest to California consumers: Consumers Union: California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) Stay informed about issues raised in the Action Line column of the San Jose Mercury News 5