Democracy in our representative form of government requires
that the public have an opportunity to understand the government's
activities and to communicate its concerns to its elected and appointed
representatives, and that those representatives have an adequate opportunity
to consider those concerns and then act effectively and in a timely
manner. This chapter codifies the city's public policy concerning
participation in the deliberations of the city's legislative bodies,
and clarifies and supplements the Brown Act. It is an affirmation
of good government and a continued commitment to open and democratic
procedures. It is an effort to expand our residents' knowledge, participation
and trust. As procedures of government change and evolve, so also
must the laws designed to guarantee the process remains visible.
(Ord. 2076 § 1, 2023)
"Agenda"
means a document that informs the public about a meeting,
published in advance of the meeting, which at a minimum: (1) identifies
the legislative body conducting the meeting; (2) specifies the time
and location of the meeting; and (3) lists each item of business to
be discussed or transacted and describes the proposed action for such
item.
"Agenda packet"
means a complete set of materials that includes the agenda
and its relevant supporting documents.
"Legislative body"
shall have the same meaning as "legislative body" as defined
in Section 54952 of the
Government Code unless the definition in this
subsection applies to a broader range of boards, commissions, committees
or other bodies, and shall include the following:
(2)
Any other board enumerated in the city code.
(3)
Any board, commission, committee, or other body created by ordinance
or resolution of the city council.
(4)
Any committee consisting of city employees that was established
by city council ordinance or resolution that specified that the meetings
of such committee were to be open and public.
"Supporting documents"
means all documents regardless of form, medium or author
that are provided to members of a legislative body for their use in
considering agenda items for a meeting.
(Ord. 2076 § 1, 2023)
The clerk or secretary of each legislative body shall record
the minutes for each regular and special meeting of the legislative
body. The minutes shall state the time the meeting was called to order,
the names of the members attending the meeting, the roll call vote
on each matter considered at the meeting, the time the board or commission
began and ended any closed session, a list of those members of the
public who spoke on each matter if the speakers identified themselves,
and the time the meeting was adjourned.
An action agenda of each meeting shall be posted to the city's
website seventy-two hours after the meeting. The officially adopted
minutes shall be posted to the city's website and made available for
inspection and copying upon request no later than ten working days
after the meeting at which the minutes are adopted.
(Ord. 2076 § 1, 2023)
The provisions of this chapter supersede other local laws. Whenever
a conflict in local law is identified the requirement which would
result in greater access to public information shall apply.
(Ord. 2076 § 1, 2023)