Title
Discuss and Provide Recommendations to the City Council Concerning Potential Amendments to Article VIII (Sunshine Ordinance) of Chapter II (Administration) of the Alameda Municipal Code, as Amended, Concerning Special Meetings, Including the Setting and Noticing of Such Meetings
Body
To: Chair Schwartz and Members of the Open Government Commission
BACKGROUND
On June 2, 2020, Councilmember Vella introduced a referral to consider amending the Sunshine Ordinance concerning special meeting noticing requirements. The item was heard on and continued to the Council's June 16, 2020 regular meeting. See Exhibit 1 (Councilmember Vella Referral re Special Meetings).
At the June 16th meeting, Councilmember Vella asked that the Council approve the referral and to send the item for initial consideration by the Open Government Commission ("Commission"). Councilmember Vella's referral states the purpose of the referral is to consider amending noticing requirements for special meetings with the interests of "transparency and in increasing public engagement" in mind. The item and the Commission's recommendation would then return to the Council for their final consideration at a future meeting.
On June 24, 2020, in light of Council direction, the Commission considered potential amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance regarding special meetings and directed staff to return with an ordinance for its consideration, as means of facilitating its forthcoming recommendation.
DISCUSSION
Commission Direction
On June 24, 2020, in light of Councilmember Vella's referral, members of the Commission offered their thoughts on the Council referral. For example, some members of the Commission echoed the concerns expressed by Councilmember Vella that special meetings should be set in a manner maximizing civic engagement. The Commission, by motion, offered the following direction:
1. Expand notification of special meetings, including social media and other forms of notification (e.g., ...
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