Title
Discuss the 2023 Annual Report(s), including Possibly Forming Subcommittee(s)
Body
To: Chair Chen and Members of the Open Government Commission
From: Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
BACKGROUND
Section 2-93.6 of the Sunshine Ordinance requires the Open Government Commission to draft an annual public report of alleged violations of the Sunshine Ordinance during the previous calendar year. The report must identify the nature of the violation, the relief sought, and the disposition and the location of records. Section 2-93.6 also provides the Commission may request a tally of records from the City Clerk with advanced notice.
Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-22.4 outlines the duties of the Commission. Under Section 2-22.4.d, the Commission is to: “report in writing to the City Council at least once annually on any practical or policy problems encountered in the administration of the Sunshine Ordinance.”
In 2021 and years prior, staff drafted the report on complaints and the matter was placed on an agenda for Commission approval. The Commission approved the 2021 report on February 7, 2022, which is available here:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5399992&GUID=CE2763E9-9BD8-44FC-91FE-A776094A3405&Options=&Search=&FullText=1>
In 2021, the Commission formed a subcommittee of two members to draft a report on issues encountered with the administration of the Sunshine Ordinance in addition to the report on complaints. On February 7, 2022, the Commission also approved the report, which is available here:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5400046&GUID=A89121B6-0A9E-4CA8-BCC1-EC62352CEAB6&Options=&Search=&FullText=1>
Sunshine Ordinance Section 2-93.2.c was amended in 2021. The amendment requires hearing decisions to be posted on the Commission’s website. All decisions can now be accessed in one place at any time, rather than having to wait for the annual report on complaints or sift through Commission meeting records.
In 2022, the Commission again formed a subcommittee to draft an annual report. The report addressed both complaints and issues encountered in the administration of the Sunshine Ordinance. The report was approved on April 4, 2023 and is available here:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6107110&GUID=54B58458-DFA8-4405-81FA-3FF56C678873&Options=&Search=>
DISCUSSION
This item was placed on the agenda to allow the Commission to discuss the 2023 annual report(s). The Commission could elect to draft two separate reports similar to the 2021 reports approved February 7, 2022 or create one combined report similar to the 2022 report approved in April 4, 2023. Options the Commission may decide to proceed with include:
Subcommittee Formation: The Commission could form a subcommittee to draft the report(s). Up to two members can serve on a subcommittee. Two separate subcommittees could be formed if the Commission elects to draft separate reports.
Full Commission: The Commission could elect to have the full Commission draft the report(s). The matter would have to be placed on an agenda and drafting would be done publicly.
Topics: Tonight, the Commission can discuss or propose any topics that should be included in the report on issues encountered in the administration of the Sunshine Ordinance.
Staff Involvement: As was done in the past, the Commission could ask staff to draft the report on complaints. Pursuant to Section 2-93.6, the Commission could also ask the City Clerk to provide a tally of records requests.