REPORT TO CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Presentation on the Roles and Responsibilities of the 2023 Charter Review Committee
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
On July 18, 2023, the City Council approved the creation of a Charter Review Committee ("Committee") in order to make a recommendation to the City Council on what, if any, changes should be made to the Charter provisions providing for an elected Chief of Police and/or an elected City Clerk.
In order to properly and efficiently conduct its work, it is essential that the Committee understand the legal framework in which it must operate as well as the role and responsibilities that the City Council has assigned the Committee.
The purpose of this item will be to hear a presentation from staff on these issues.
DISCUSSION
Legal Framework
As an official advisory body created by the City Council, the Committee is subject to the Brown Act which is intended to ensure that public commissions, boards, councils, and other local public agencies conduct their deliberations and take action in open meetings. As a result of the Brown Act, there are specific requirements on how and when agendas for CRC meetings must be posted; how the CRC may deliberate on issues as well as how members of the CRC can communicate during public meetings and amongst themselves outside of public meetings.
The Committee will also be subject to the Public Records Act (PRA). The Public Records Act is a law that requires government agencies to disclose public records upon request unless exempted by law. The law is intended to provide the public with access to information on governmental affairs and applies to both written and electronic information.
At the Committee's kick-off meeting on August 10, a representative of the City Attorney's office will provide a more in-depth training on the legal framework and responsibilities of the Charter Review Committee.
Scope of Work
On July ...
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