Following a systematic attack on public comment, the Orange County Board of Supervisors triggers a First Amendment lawsuit from the ACLU. It’s the second time in recent years that county supervisors have fumbled taxpayers into court — landing in federal court last year over civil rights violations involving the homeless.
Tag: Ralph M. Brown Act
Posted inIrvine
Irvine City Council Strengthens Transparency
Irvine residents now will have 12 days to study regular agendas for the City Council, Planning Commission and other city bodies after the Council voted Tuesday to strengthen its transparency ordinance.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Homelessness Board Closes Committee Meetings to Public
The Continuum of Care board voted unanimously Sept. 26 to close committee meetings to the public. Meetings of the full 15-member board, which the county says isn’t subject to state open meeting laws, and a separate meeting for homeless providers, will remain public.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
Supervisors’ Secret Policymaking is Updated Amid Legal Questions
“The public gets very suspect, and sometimes rightfully so, that…the board is formulating policy behind closed doors,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
Posted inCountywide, Newport Beach, Top Stories
Newport Beach Interviews City Manager Finalists, Apparently Including Supervisor Shawn Nelson
Newport Beach City Council members began interviewing three finalists for a new city manager at a special meeting Monday morning, sparking concern from some residents about the transparency of the selection process.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Government, Irvine, Top Stories
Supervisors’ Vets Cemetery Policy Discussion Must Be Public, Experts Say
Orange County supervisors were planning to privately discuss Tuesday whether to explore using county-owned land for a veterans cemetery, but changed their agenda after Voice of OC questioned its legality.
Posted inNewport Beach
Newport Beach Struggles With Transparency Law
Will the Newport Beach City Council meet in closed session Tuesday to discuss the process for hiring a new city manager?
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Council Now Wants District Elections on the November Ballot
The council also may ask voters to change the city charter to add punishments for a mayor if he or she doesn’t sign ordinances and resolutions approved by a majority of the seven-member council.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Top Stories, Transportation
Toll Road Agency Limits Public Comment Without Board Vote
The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) board of directors changed its public comment procedures without public notice or a vote by the entire board, which County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who sits on the board, and others said could be a violation of California open meeting laws.
Posted inAnaheim, Safety, Security & Justice
Anaheim Moving Toward Creation of a New Police Review Board
A staff proposal for a new Anaheim police review board appears to be moving toward selecting members as soon as spring 2018.
