Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/californians-aware/)
The 24-page opinion in the case of the City of San Jose vs. the Superior Court (Smith) also said “…there is no indication the Legislature meant to allow public officials to shield communications about official business simply by directing them through personal accounts.“
The Orange County Water District’s Board of Directors has several committees that meet outside of public view. And several of them appear to be doing so illegally, according to open government expert Terry Francke.
Council members violated the law by meeting secretly to approve a costly lobbying contract, according to open government advocates. While not admitting wrongdoing, the council promised Monday to not break the law in the future.
The act, for example, does not adequately cover communication via text and emails. But 2016 might be the year courts and policymakers move to close loopholes created by technology.
Obit: Michael Harris turned a spotlight on local government secret meetings and actions
The order is the culmination of a two-year open records case brought against the county by Voice of OC and Californians Aware.
Voters will decide on a constitutional amendment addressing costs, and the state Legislature will take on the controversy over public comments.
The nonprofit news organization and Californians Aware were seeking records relating to sex abuse charges against Carlos Bustamante.
The American Civil Liberties Union will be deposing City Council members – and possibly former council members – on their responsiveness to the city’s Latino community. Voice of OC has requested media access.
Voice of OC filed suit after county officials refused to release records regarding officials’ actions leading up to Carlos Bustamante’s arrest on sex crimes. The open-government advocacy group Californians Aware has joined the suit.