OC Supervisors OK Broad Powers to Destroy County Emails, Texts
Andrew Do
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The policy says officials may “at any time” destroy emails and text messages they consider to be internal memos or “working notes.”
County May Allow Immediate Destruction of Texts and Email
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The plan could be illegal, according to two attorneys who specialize in California public records law.
Santa Ana Added Water Fees for New Developments Without Public Disclosure
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Santa Ana officials recently added five new water-related fees for building construction, but their public notice left that out when describing what the City Council’s action would do.
Homeless Porta-Potties Not Supported by Most OC Supervisors, Spitzer Says
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“There is not a board majority at this time” to support a permit for the restrooms, Spitzer told Voice of OC. He said he hopes to introduce an alternative idea Wednesday.
Sheriff May Change Policy That Led to Threatened Arrest of Reporter
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The policy resulted in a Voice of OC reporter being threatened with arrest for trying to report on officers removing a homeless activist from the Board of Supervisors meeting room.
State Supreme Court Unanimously Rules Officials’ Government Texts and Emails on Private Phones and Computers are Public Records
Countywide
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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.“
Transportation Authority Kept Secret Cyber Attack That Cost $600,000
County Government
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A February cyber attack on Orange County Transportation Authority servers resulted in the total shutdown of email, voicemail and numerous other services. Officials kept the attack secret, which could be a violation of the state’s open meetings law.
Water District’s Secretive Committees Likely Violate Open Meetings Law
Countywide
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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.
Santa Ana Extends City Manager’s Contract, Publicly Approves Bonus
Santa Ana
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The public vote on a $17,000 bonus for City Manager David Cavazos came after questions were raised about a closed-session vote on the bonus last month.
State’s Public Records Act Hasn’t Caught Up to Smart Phone Revolution
Countywide
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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.