SPECIAL MEETING of the ROSS TOWN COUNCIL
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
Held In-Person and Teleconference via Zoom
1. 5:00 p.m. Commencement.
Mayor Julie McMillan; Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Robbins; Council Members Teri Dowling; Bill Kircher, Jr., Mathew Salter; Town Manager Christa Johnson; Town Attorney Ben Stock.
Posting of agenda/changes to agenda.
Town Manager Johnson confirmed the agenda was posted according to government requirements.
3. Town Council to receive a presentation from Town Attorney Ben Stock regarding the Brown Act/Ethics.
Town Attorney Ben Stock provided a PowerPoint presentation and training regarding the Brown Act/Ethics training for Council Members.
Mr. Stock provided an overview of transparency laws of the Brown Act and the Public Records Act, Conflict of Interest Rules which have to do with the Political Reform Act, common law conflicts of personal interests and bias, recognizing the need to seek advice, general rule of disqualification, remote meetings, improper "informal" meetings, improper "serial" meetings, improper "technology" meetings, recommendations for e- mail/technology, limited social media exception.
He then described and discussed Brown Act violations, closed sessions, potential economic interests, legally required participation exception, due process considerations, contractual conflicts of interest and Code section 1090, fair process, legal limitations on perks and advantages of office, gifts and disclosure of gifts, honoraria, misuse of public resources, Council conduct - initiatives, and solicitations of political support.
Council Members posed questions and received clarification regarding support of an existing Council colleague running for office, recommendations for e-mail technology and not communicating individual positions or opinions, retrieval of deleted documents, Council Members serving as representatives and alternates and discussion of matters, and Council Members refraining from making comments that indicates pre-judgment or bias regarding an Initiative or Measure, being allowed to sign circulars as private citizens, and rules regarding use of individual versus Town resources working on a measure.
4. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
A t-these
Julie McMillan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Wait
Cyndie Martel, Town Clerk