Cities, county to continue abiding by open meeting law
SAN DIEGO (CNS) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors and the San Diego City Council affirmed their allegiance to open government Tuesday in response to the state’s suspension of some requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act as a means of cutting costs.
The California Legislature enacted the Brown Act in 1953 to guarantee the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies.
Last month, the Legislature agreed to suspend for three years a requirement that local governments post agendas 72 hours in advance of meetings. Also suspended was the requirement to make public the actions taken by government agencies in closed sessions, which are permitted in discussions of lawsuits and some personnel matters.
“The Brown Act illuminated the dark corners of government offices where much of the public’s business was conducted behind closed doors,’’ Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said. “While the Brown Act empowers the public and the press, it’s only as good as the officials who adhere to it and the watchdogs who demand compliance.’’
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to uphold the 72-hour notice requirement for agendas and to continue to publicly announce decisions made in private.
“We welcome transparency and we welcome public participation,’’ Slater- Price said. “We’re an open book and we plan to stay that way.’’
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution stating it and various city panels would continue to comply with the Brown Act as it was intended.
“This resolution is to reaffirm this council’s, the mayor’s commitment to our open meeting laws and to continue, regardless of what the state does with its budget or mandated programs,’’ said Councilwoman Marti Emerald.
The council also directed the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to be considered at a future meeting to ensure the public will have remedies for non-compliance with the Brown Act.
Meanwhile, Poway City Manager Penny Riley said Tuesday her City Council will also continue to post agendas and report actions taken in closed session.
“We know that transparency is important to our community and will continue to comply with the principles of open government and of the Brown Act,” Riley said.
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Posted by Steve Dreyer
on Jul 24 2012. Filed under Local News, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Bernardo/4S Ranch (Click here for more stories).
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