Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Various Sections of Article VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) in Chapter II (Administration) and Adding New Sections 2-90.3, 2-90.4 and 2-91.18 Concerning Local Standards to Ensure Public Access to Public Meetings and Public Records. (City Attorney 2310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Janet C. Kern, City Attorney
Re: Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Amending Various Sections of Article VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) in Chapter II (Administration) and Adding New Sections 2-90.3, 2-90.4 and 2-91.18 Concerning Local Standards to Ensure Public Access to Public Meetings and Public Records
BACKGROUND
In 2012, after nearly a year's study and the involvement of numerous residents, the City Council adopted what is called the City's "Sunshine Ordinance", codified in Chapters 2-91 and 2-92 of the Municipal Code. As set forth in the Ordinance, it was developed to codify the City's public policy concerning public participation in the deliberation of the City's elected and advisory bodies; supplement the state law (the Ralph M. Brown Act and Public Records Act (the Brown Act)) concerning open government; and demonstrate the Council's commitment to an open, democratic and transparent City government. Its goal is to ensure that residents have timely access to information, opportunities to address elected and advisory bodies prior to decisions being made and provide easy and timely access to public records. The Ordinance also established an Open Government Commission (Commission) to oversee and enforce the Ordinance, including the authority to impose fines for violations. The Ordinance requires that employees and officials who are required to file statements of economic interests affirm annually that they have read the Ordinance and that they receive training on the Ordinance, to be provided by the City Attorney's Office.
As the...
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