From:
To: City Council
Subject: Meeting Noticing and Brown Act Intent
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2024 8:59:04 PM
The city of Sebastopol has chosen at some point in the past to both, hold their days of general operation to be that of Monday through Thursday and to keep their offices locked to the public even during times and days of normal operations.
The city additionally, by holding it's regularly scheduled city council meetings on Tuesdays after normal operating hours, has allowed the city to only be required to post meeting agendas as required by the Brown act, 72 hours prior which would be Saturday by 6pm.
The purpose and intent of the Brown act 72 hour noticing requirement is to provide the public with adequate time to request additional information from and address the legislative body prior to that body's consideration of agenda items.
Past precedent of the city is the regular agenda items be posted to the city website at some point during operating hours on Thursday prior to a meeting. This extended level of noticing has provided the public with the chance to reach out for information that same day, as well as two working days following noticing.
Noticing did not take place Thursday during operating hours before the next upcoming meeting. In addition, with Monday observing a holiday, following a canceled meeting earlier this month, following an incomplete agenda item on the second meeting in December directly related to public access to council meetings, it is my hope that council can see my concern.
The general plan for the city states public participation as a goal. Having multiple roadblocks in place that restrict public access to city offices, city officials, access to information, and attendance to public meetings will not help this city achieve this goal.
Please unlock city offices during regular city hours of operation.
Please reconsider the 4 day work week.
Please consider the importance of regular agenda noticing especially in times of holiday disruptions and/or previously cancelled meetings.
Please recognize the benefit that hybrid/remote meeting access provides to both council and the public.