City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 22, 2022 FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ORAL PRESENTATION ON THE OPEN MEETING RULES (BROWN ACT) AND THE PUBLIC MEETING PROVISIONS OF THE RIVERSIDE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE ISSUE:
The City Council receive an oral presentation from the City Attorney’s Office on the open meeting rules (Brown Act) and the public meeting provision of the Riverside Sunshine Ordinance RECOMMENDATIONS:
The City Council receive an oral presentation from the City Attorney’s Office on the open meeting rules (Brown Act) and the public meeting provision of the Riverside Sunshine Ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
In order to support and promote the strategic priorities of the City Council and to facilitate good governance, the City Attorney’s Office provides training that is beneficial and related to the discharge of elected and appointed official’s powers and duties. To that end, the City Attorney’s Office has provided presentations related to City Council rules of procedure and order of business, the requirements of due process and avoiding bias in the context of quasi-judicial hearing and provides this presentation to highlight some of the relevant provisions of the Brown Act and the Sunshine Ordinance. The oral presentation will be accompanied by a visual aid.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This presentation supports the priorities of Envision Riverside 2025 by contributing to good governance which supports Strategic Priority No. 5, High Performing Government and furthers the following:
Goal 5.3– Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision making. The Ralph M. Brown Act and Riverside Sunshine Ordinance are vehicles to ensure that the deliberations and action of legislative bodies, as defined therein, are open to the public and assures the people of Riverside that they can be fully informed and retain control over the instruments of local government in their city.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Riverside is transparent and makes decisions based on sound policy, inclusive community engagement, involvement of City Boards & Commissions, and timely and reliable information. This presentation provides information to the Mayor and Council regarding the rules and regulations related to the open meeting requirements which are applicable to the City Council. The open meeting requirements further community trust by providing for a transparent decision-making process.
Equity –Training on the rules and procedures related to the Brown Act and Riverside Sunshine Ordinance heightens awareness and promotes equal access to meetings of legislative bodies, as defined by the Act, and equal access to information provided in the decision-making process.
Fiscal Responsibility – Knowledge of and compliance with the rules and regulations seeks to prevent violations and therefore reduces the risk of liability to the City.
Innovation – The Office of the City Attorney continues to expand its training schedule and training opportunities for the Council, committees, boards, and the organization in order to meet the needs of an innovative and growing city.
Sustainability & Resiliency – On-going training on core governance and emerging issues will serve to strengthen our sustainability and resiliency as rules and regulations evolve to meet the needs of the citizens.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
Prepared by: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Approved by: Al Zelinka, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
ABC’s of the Open Government Laws – Institute for Local Government Riverside Sunshine Ordinance – Title 4 – Public Meetings and Public Records Very Brief Title of Report ● Page 3