HomeMy WebLinkAbout060492 RDA AgendaAGENDA
CITY OF TEMECULA
OLD TOWN REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A REGULAR MEETING
TEMECULA CITY HALL - MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM
43174 Business Park Drive
JUNE 4, 1992 - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER:
Flag Salute
ROLL CALL: Committee
Members:
Executive Director David F, Dixon presiding
Agency Secretary June S. Greek
Bridges, Grey, Jenkins, Maurice, Pelonero, Reed, Walton
PUBLIC COMMENTS
A total of 15 minutes is provided so members of the public can address the Council
on items that are not listed on the Agenda or on the Consent Calendar. Speakers are
limited to two (2) minutes each. If you desire to speak to the Council about an item
not listed on the Agenda or on the consent Calendar, a pink "Request To Speak" form
should be filled out and filed with the City Clerk.
When you are called to speak, please come forward and state your name and address.
For all other agenda items a "Request To Speak" form must be filed with the City Clerk
before the Council gets to that item. There is a five (5) minute time limit for individual
speakers.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
SweariRa In Ceremony
City Clerk/Agency Secretary June Greek
2
Committee Introductions
Self Introductions by Members of the Committee
3 Executive Director's Overview of the Committee
Presentation by Executive Director David Dixon
2/ageride/061290 1
4
Drawinq for Terms of Office
RECOMMENDATION:
4.1 Draw lots to determine which Committee Members will serve as appointed and
elected members.
4.2 Draw lots to determine terms of office for appointed members.
5
Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
RECOMMENDATION:
5.1 Elect a member of the committee to serve as the Chairperson for a term of one-
year.
5.2 Elect a member of the committee to serve as the Vice-Chairperson for a term
of one year.
6
Review of Committee Manual
RECOMMENDATION:
6.1 Review materials provided in notebook
Committee Bylaws
Map of the Old Town Subzone
"Open and Public" the Ralph M. Brown Act
Handbook for Boards, Committees and Commissions
Conflict of Interest Code and filing forms
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
Next regular meeting: July 7, 1992, 6:00 PM, Temecula City Hall, Main Conference Room,
43174 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California
BY-LAWS OF THE
OLD TOWN REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ARTICLE I
Purpose of the Committee
The Old Town Redevelopment Advisory Committee ("Committee") shall serve as the means
through which the community can participate with the Temecula Redevelopment Agency (the
"Agency") in the planning and implementing of the Redevelopment Plan ("Plan") for the Old
Town portion of the Temecula Redevelopment Project Area No. 1-1988 (the "Old Town
Area"). The Old Town Area is delineated on the map attached hereto and incorporated by this
reference. To accomplish this, the Committee will review, evaluate and submit written
reports to the Agency and/or the City on any and all redevelopmerit actions proposed to be
undertaken by the Agency and/or the City in furtherance of redevelopment conducted within
the Old Town Area.
ARTICLE II
Creation and Termination of the Committee
The Committee shall be created by resolution of the Agency and shall expire with the
termination of the Plan.
2/CityAtiy/Byllwl. RDA 1 05/28/92
ARTICLE III
Members
Section 1. Membership The membership of the Committee shall consist of
seven (7) members, four (4) of whom shall be elected and three (3) of who shall be appointed,
in the manner herein provided and according to the conditions of eligibility herein provided.
Members shall not receive compensation for their service on the Committee.
Section 2. Eliaibilitv for Membership.
A. "Eligible person" as used herein shall mean a natural person 18 years or older
who resides in the Old Town Area or who works in the Old Town Area and owns, leases
and/or operates a business entity (for profit or not for profit) which has its principal place of
business located within the boundaries of the Old Town Area.
B. For purposes of this section, a "principal place of business" may be determined
with reference to, without limitation, the annual statement of general information required to
be filed with the Secretary of State by every corporation pursuant to Corporations Code
Section 1502. For purposes of this section, residency in the Old Town Area may be
determined with reference to, without limitation, a driver's license, tax or utility bill, or a
business license.
C. Failure to abide by the eligibility requirements stated herein shall be deemed a
vacancy subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article.
D. No current member of the Agency shall serve as a member of the Committee.
21CityAtty/ByllwI.RDA 2 05/28/92
Section 3. Membership Terms
A. Appointed Members: Upon the initial creation of the Committee, three
eligible persons shall be appointed members by the Agency, two of whom shall serve for
terms of four (4) years, and one for a term of two (2) years.
At the expiration of the initial terms, the Agency shall appoint eligible persons as
successor members for terms of four (4) years.
B. Elected Members: Upon the initial creation of the Committee, the Agency
shall appoint four eligible persons to serve as members until the first elected members take
office following the initial election.
Upon the initial election, the two persons receiving the highest number of votes shall
serve terms of four (4) years each, while the two persons receiving the lowest number of
votes shall serve terms of two (2) years each.
At the conclusion of the initial terms of office, persons elected to the Committee shall
serve for terms of four (4) years.
Section 4. VaCancies The membership of any member on the Committee shall
be vacated whenever any of the following occur:
A. By more than three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from any of the
meetings of the Committee.
21CityAttylBylBwm,FIDA 3 06128192
B. By death of a member.
C. By resignation of a member.
D. By the failure of the member to maintain eligibility for membership as specified
in Article Ill, Section 2 herein.
E. If a special election to impeach an elected member is successful where the
grounds for impeachment are gross misconduct; upon the same grounds, a majority of the
Agency may vote to remove an appointed member.
Notice of a vacancy shall be sent to the affected member and said vacancy may be
appealed by that member to the Agency with the decision of the Agency being final.
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee shall be filled by majority
vote of the Agency by an eligible person for the remainder of the unexpired term of the
vacated member.
ARTICLE IV
Procedure for ElectinQ and AODointing Members
Section I. Public Notice "Public Notice" as required herein, shall mean either or all
of the following, as designated herein:
21CityAttylBylews,FIDA 4 05128/92
A. Notice sent via first-class United States mail service to all natural persons who
reside within the boundaries of the Old Town Area.
B. Notice delivered to all business entities located within the boundaries of the 01d
Town Area.
C. Notice posed at the fire station located within the 01d Town Area, a
conspicuous place at Sam Hicks Park, a conspicuous place at the location of the Temecula
Community Center and at each lobby or entrance of all multi-family buildings in the 01d Town
Area.
D. Notice published in a paper of general circulation within the Old Town Area once
a week for a period of two weeks.
Section 2. Initial Membership The Agency may make interim appointments of four
(4) members of the Redevelopment Agency Committee until the time of the first biannual
elections.
Section 3. Procedure for Nominatinq Elected Members
biannually on January 1.
Elections shall be held
A. Nominations: Public notice shall be provided pursuant to Section 1 (B), (C) and
(D) of this Article two (2) months before the date of the election requesting the submission
of the names of eligible nominees. Said notice shall provide the location where nomination
2/CityAtly/Bylawl,RDA 6 05128/92
applications are available and the final date for their submission. The nomination application
shall list the name of the candidate, include an affidavit of eligibility pursuant to Article III,
Section 2 and shall contain the signatures of ten (10) eligible persons in order to place the
name of the candidate on the ballot.
B. Elections: Ballots shall be mailed by the 30th day in November preceding the
January 1 election date to every eligible person within the Old Town Area. The ballots shall
include an affidavit of eligibility and shall state that they are to be returned, postmarked no
later than January I of the election year. Only one vote is allowed per eligible person. The
Secretary will complete the ballot count by January 15 of the election year and new members
will be sworn in at the first meeting of the Committee in February.
Section 5. Political Reform Act Compliance All members, whether appointed or
elected shall comply with the disclosure and disqualification provisions of the Political Reform
Act (Government Code Section 87100 et see.).
ARTICLE V
Internal Organization and Staffing
Section 1. Officers By majority vote of the members, there shall be selected
one member to act as chairperson and another member to act as vice chairperson. The term
of these offices shall be one year and no member holding the same office for more than two
consecutive terms. Vacancies in any of these offices shall be filled by majority vote of the
membership.
2/CityAtty/Byl~ws,RDA 6 05/28/92
Section 2. Staff
A. Executive Director: The Executive Director of the Agency shall be the
Executive Director of the Committee. The Executive Director's duties shall include, without
limitation, making requests of the Agency for additional staffing and/or funds for the
administration of the Committee.
B. Secretary: The Secretary of the Agency shall act as the Secretary of the
Committee. The Secretary's duties shall include, without limitation, collecting and distributing
to each Committee member all non-privileged material and documentation relating to proposed
redevelopment activity by the Agency affecting the Old Town Area.
C. Counsel:
of the Committee.
The General Counsel of the Agency shall be the General Counsel
ARTICLE VI
Meetin,qs
Section 1. ReQular MeetinQs Meetings shall be held once a month on the first
Tuesday of every month; provided, however, that should such a date be a legal holiday, the
regular meeting shall be held on the next business day which is not a legal holiday or may be
cancelled by resolution of the Committee.
A quorum of four (4) members is required to conduct a meeting; any meeting failing
to achieve a quorum shall be adjourned. A majority vote of the quorum shall be necessary to
pass any resolution of the Committee.
The committee shall be subject to and abide by the open meeting provisions found in
the Brown Act (Government Code Sections 54950 et ~eq.), including those provisions
governing the holding of special meetings.
The protocol for all meetings shall be conducted pursuant to the rules contained in the
current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VII
Amendment of Reaulati0ns
The Regulations of this Committee can be amended by resolution of the Agency.
N side of 6th Street
S side of Is~ Street
W side of 15 fen~ line
W side of P~jol Street fence line
In~eude exiting Fire House and
Monument property
Include Town A~soeiation
property on w~t side of ~ree~
SUBAREA 2
(modified I
Y0~R GUIDE TO OPEN MEETINGS:
T-w. RALPH M. BROWN ACT
You may be wondering why you're reading this.
All you wanted to know was whether or not the board of supervi-
sors could hold last evening's meeting in private. "Can they do
that?" you asked yourself. "Is there a law which guides
government's ability to meet in secret?"
Then someone handed you this book and said, "Read this!"
And what is this? This is a guide to California's open meeting
law, known as the Brown Act. It's a citizen's look at the
state's open meeting law which guides local government.
It's not very technical, not too tedious, and not so complicated
that you need a lawyer to explain it to you. It's a clear,
straightforward, and brief explanation of the who, what, where,
and when of public meetings.
So if you're wondering about open meeting laws,
READ THIS!
YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN MEETINGS:
T~ RALPH M. BROWN ACT
SUMMARY OF THE "BROWN ACT"
C~r.TFORNIA'S OPEN MEETING LAW
Government Code Section 54950 - 54962
ISSUE
BROWN ACT
(Local M~mher Bodies)
Coverage
Advisory Committees
Meeting Defined
Secret Ballots
and Semi-closed
Meetings
Public Participa-
tion at Meeting
Notice of
Regular Meeting
Notice of
Special Meeting
Local multi-member bodies. (§ 54952)
Covered unless comprised solely of
than a quorum of the parent body.
(§ 54952.3)
less
Any gathering, formal or informal, of a
quorum of the body at which information
about the business of the body is received,
discussed or voted upon. Meals, seminars,
conferences, and serial communications may
be included.
Prohibited.
Extensive safeguards regarding rights to
attend and tape-record meetings and the
right of the public to receive the same
information provided to the members of the
body. (§§ 54953.3, 54953,5, 54957.5,
11123, 11124, 11124.1, 11125.1.) The Brown
Act specifically requires the body to
provide for public testimony at meetings.
(§ 54954.3)
72-hour notice, including binding agenda
with brief general description of items to
be covered at meeting. (§ 54954.2)
24-hour notice, including binding agenda
with specific description of items to be
covered at meeting. (§ 54956)
ISSUE
BROWN ACT
(Local Member Bodies)
Notice of
Emergency Meetings
Notice of Advisory
Committees
Notice of Closed
Sessions
Closed Session
Exception
Basic
Requirements
Personnel
Pending
Litigation
1-hour notice, specific agenda, limited to
crippling disasters and work stoppages.
(§ 54956.5)
Regular advisory committee meetings must be
noticed in bylaws. Others require 24-hour
notice. (§ 54952.3; §§ 54954.2 and 54954.3)
Noticed like other meetings and general
reasons for closed session must be given.
Body may provide statutory authorization
for meeting. (§§ 54954.2, 54957.7)
All closed sessions must be expressly
authorized. (§§ 54962, 11132)
May be used to consider appointment,
employment, dismissal or performance of
employees and a variety of high level
appointed officials enumerated in section
54957. Exemption not applicable to elected
officials. (§ 54957)
Express definition of pending litigation,
including specific procedures for
implementation. The pending litigation
exception is the exclusive application of
the attorney-client privilege to closed
sessions. (§§ 54956.9, 11126(q))
ISSUE
BROWN ACT
( Local M-mher Bodies )
Real Property
Negotiations
Quasi-Judicial
Deliberations
Labor Negotiations
Public Records &
Confidentiality
Privileges
Minute Book
Remedies
Criminal
Penalties
Civil Remedy-
Injunctive
Civil Remedy
Voidability of
Action
Civil Remedy
Attorneys Fees
May be used to advise negotiator regarding
price and terms when property and parties
are publicly identified in advance.
(§§ 54956.8, 11126(i))
The Brown Act contains no exemption for
these purposes.
May be used to advise negotiator regarding
negotiations with represented and
unrepresented employees. (§§ 54957.6,
11126(0))
Closed sessions must be expressly
authorized. Closed sessions are not
permitted based on implicit authorization
of general public record or confidentiality
statutes. (§§ 54962, 11132)
Confidential minute book of closed session
transactions may be kept by body.
(§ 54957.2)
Misdemeanor sanctions when "action taken"
with knowledge of violation.
(§§ 54952.6, 54959)
Interested persons may bring suit for
injunctive mandamus or declaratory relief.
(§§ 54960, 11130)
Interested citizen may bring suit to have
action taken in violation of Brown Act
declared null and void. Suit generally must
be brought within 15 days after the body
has had 30 days to cure the violation.
(§ 54960.1)
Successful plaintiffs and successful
defendants in frivolous actions may be
awarded attorneys fees. (§§ 54960.5,
11130.5)
". ~1I ,u,etin.~ Of the hX, ishttiT~r body
local al~enty shall he ofirn tllld public'.
ethel all pH'SOnS .sitall he ptT'milled
to attend an~, meelin.~ o/
Ihe b'Lri.~lalWr bod~' O/tl hH'(l[ tl,~rt'tltT.., "
A user's guide to the
Ralph M. Brown Act
",111 meettn,t~s' O/Ihe h',t~6sDtlive body
t~[ ez local al~t',,ty shall be ,~p,'n tutd public,
(Did all pHzs'o,,~ shall be pt'Fmilled
Io attend any nteetin,~
the b~slative body O/ a b~cal
by Ted Fourkas
March, 1989
Foreword
This guide is a joint project of the organi-
zations listed. They represent diverse ~4ews
and constituencies--but share a common
interest in the open meeting laws for local gov-
ernments.
One goal of this publication is to put the
Ralph M. Brown Act, in lay language so it can
be readily understood by local officials, by the
public and by the news media.
Another goal is to identify problem areas
in an effort to reduce controversy over the Act.
As a consequence, we have tried not only to
cover all aspects of the Act, but to also pay
extra attention to problem areas. In many
cases, we offer advice on how to minimize a
potential problem. This advice is not law, and
indeed nothing in the guide is as authoritative
as the statutes, cases and Attorney General's
opinions that are cited. It would be alien to the
spirit and purpose of this guide if its contents
were taken as a legal standard by which to
judge the proprieW of official conduct. We are
confident that no court would lend it such
authority,, and it is only in that confidence that
the guide has been ventured as a common
project.
A public agency's legal counsel is respon-
sible for advising its staff, board or council on
the Act's requirements and prohibitions. He
or she should alwavs be consulted on Brown
Act issues.
To lessen confusion, we have adopted a
format in which:
· Most text will look like this.
· But advice will be italicized.
· And for hypothetical examples, the
typeface will look like this.
Confenfs
CHAPTER Z: The People do not Yield Their Sovereignty .......................... I
The basic law: Change and Expansion: Limitations; Controversv.
CltAPTEt~ 2: "All Meetings of..." .................................................................3
Serial meetings; Social events: Retreats: Regular informal
meetings.
CHAFFER 3: "...The Legislative Body of A Local Agency..." ..................... 5
Less than a quorum: A "unitary" body; Ad hoc advisory groups;
Non-profit organizations: Delegated authority,.
CHAFFER 4: "... Shall be Open And Public and..." ................................... 9
Regular meetings: Special meetings; Adjourned meetings:
Continued hearings; School district meetings; Agenda
descriptions: Non-agenda items.
CHAPTER 5: "... All Persons Shall be Permitted to Attend.,." .................. 13
The public's place on the agenda; Reactire discussion.
CHAPTER 6: "...Except as otherwise provided..." .................................... 15
Personnel: Pending litigation: Real estate negodadons;
Labor negotiations: Labor negotiations - school districts; Student
discipline: Grand jury testimony; License applicants with
criminal records: Public and national security: Multijurisdictional
drug law enforcement agency: Hospital district trade secrets.
CHAFFER 7.'
Remedies ...............................................................................21
Criminal complaints: Civil action: lnvalidation: Informal
resolution.
CHAPTER 8: Beyond The Law ....................................................................23
Text of the Brown Act ...............................................................................24
Index ..........................................................................................................35
CHAPTER 1:
CHAFFER I
The People do not Yieid Their Sovereignty
In late 1951. San Francisco Chronicle re-
porter Mike Harris spent six weeks looking
into the wav local governments conducted
meetings. State codes had long required that
business be done in public, but Harris discov-
ered secret meetings or caucuses were com-
mon. He wrote a 1 O-part series on "Your Secret
Government" that ran in May and June of
1952.
Out ot the series came a decision to push
fbr a new state open meeting law. Harris and
Richard (Bud) Carpenter. legal counsel for
the League of California Cities. drafted a bill
and Modesto Assemblyman Ralph M. Brown
agreed to carrv it. The bill passed the Legisla-
ture and was signed into law in 1953 by Gover-
nor Earl Warren.
Brown sen'ed in the Assembly for 19 years
starting in 1942. the last three years as its
Speaker (his successor was Jesse M. Unruh).
He then went on to serve as an appellate court
justice. But he is best known for the open
meeting law which now carries his name.
The basic law
Two kev parts of the Ralph M. Brown Act
have been unchanged since its passage. One is
the intent section with which it begins:
"In enacting this chapter. the Legislature
finds and declares that the public commis-
sions, boards and councils and the other public
agencies in this State exist to aid in the con-
duct of the people's business. It is the intent of
the law that their actions be taken openly and
that their deliberations be conducted openly.
"The people of this State do not yield
their sovereignw to the agencies which serve
them. The people, in delegating authority, do
not give their public servants their right to
decide what is good for the people to know
and what is not good for them to know. The
people insist on remaining informed so that
thev mav retain control over the instruments
they have created." i
That opening is the soul of the Act. Its
heart comes later. a brief section that declares:
".M1 meetings of the legislative body of a
local agency shall be open and public, and all
persons shall be permitted to attend anv
meeting of the legislative body of a local agency,
except as otherwise provided in this chapter. TM
That one sentence is by far the most im-
portant of the entire Act: and its emphasized
portions are the basis for the next five chap-
ters.
Change and expansion
These nvo key provisions have remained
intact. but vep,' little else has. Changes have
been adopted in virtually even' session of the
Legislature. They have included requirements
for agendas and public notice. They have
carved out new exceptions and narrowed
others. Recent legislation provided a way to
invalidate certain actions if the Brown Act has
been violated.
Meanwhile, a number of appellate court
decisions and Attorney General's Opinions
have interpreted the Act. Not all intent lan-
guage in statutes has an impact on the judici-
ary. But the courts have leaned on the intent
section of the Brown Act to narrowIv construe
exceptions to the law and liberalIv construe
0.
provisions which further openness and availa-'
bility. :l
Despite its original language on "legisla-
tive bodies," the law has been extended by
amendments and court decisions to apply to
most appointed or advisory, bodies. It even
covers two unusual B'pes of non-profit corpo-
rations (discussed later). Similarly, meetings
subject to the Act are not limited to formal
gatherings; they include anv communication
in which a quorum of the board takes steps in
the decision-making process.
The Brown Act has also served as a model
for other open meeting laws, such as the
Bagley-Keene Act enacted in 1967 to cover
state agencies. As a consequence, virtually
CHAPTER 1
Overview
2!/DGFL~ 01' r~ ~hD
2
everv local or state agency is now covered by
one open meeting law or another.
The purpose of the Act is to require all
aspects of the decision-making process bv
legislative bodies be conducted in public. All
parts of the deliberative process, including
discussion, debate and acquisition of informa-
tion must be open and available for public
scrutiny. 4
Limitations
But the law is limited to multi-member
government bodies, and only they can violate
its provisions. The Act does not apply to indi-
vidual decision-makers. It also exempts advi-
sory committees made up solely of less than a
quorum of a legislative body. The law does not
restrict government staff or employees.
Nor are there anv constraints on the
public--including individual citizens, lobbv-
ists, or members of the news media. If anv-
thing, the law broadens and expands their
rights.
The law on the one hand recognizes the
need of individual legislators to meet and
discuss matters with their constituents. On the
other hand, it requires--with certain specific
exceptions to protect the communi,ty and
preserve individual rights--that the decision-
making process be public. Sometimes the
boundary between the two is not easy to draw.
Controversy
Not surprisingly, the Brown Act has b
a source of confusion and controversv sine
inception. News media members often ar
the taw is toothless, pointing out that sinc
inception there has been not a single crim
prosecution for a violation. They often
pect that the closed meeting process is be
misused.
Elected officials, however. complain
the Brown Act makes it difficult to respon
constituents, and requires public discussi
of items better discussed privately--suct
why a particular candidate should not
appointed to a committee.
Many elected officials find the Act unn.
ral. The techniques that serve so well in b
ness--theworking lunch, the private lobbx
and compromises, the slow evolution ,
project or decision--are no longer possi
Closed meetings can be more efficient: t
eliminate grandstanding and promote t
dot.
As a matter of public policy, California
concluded more is to be gained th- bs
the public meedng process. C. n
behind closed doors may well be effic,~ n t;
business-like. But invisible government is
ten unresponsive. It is invariably distruste
The Brown Act has without question
a major impact on the wav public bo,
conduct business. Secret meetings, once
rule. are now the exception.
l. Government Code Section 54950
2. Government Code Section 54953
3. In rant, wing these footnotes. keep in mind that the A c
has the greatest force and effect. Next in order are app
court decisions, which interl~et the Aa and serve as
dent for mal courts if published:they are not pre cedent
published or, as was the case unth a recent Brown Aa
ion, are ordered depublished by the State Supreme G
Publ~hed opinions of the Attorney General do not ha
force of law but are persuasive to the coum; letter opz
of the Attorney General are usually nattower in scop
less influential,
4. SacramentoNewspaperGuildv. SacramentoCountyi
of Supervisors t1968) 263 CaLApp, 2d 41:42
Ops. CaLAt~.Gen. 63 (1963); 32 Ops. CaLAt(v. Gen
(1958).
3
CHAFFER 2:
"All Meetings of..."
The Brown Act refers to several different
kinds of meetings--but never defines them.
That has been left to the courts and the Attor-
ney General.
~'Meeting" turns out to be much broader
than an official gathering. It covers "infor-
mal." "study," "discussion," *'informational,"
"fact-finding," and "pre-council" gatherings, 1
In fact. a meeting is a gathering of a quorum,
no matter how informal. where business is
discussed or transacted.:
A meeting can include telephone calls or
letters in which the communications are part
of the deliberative or information gathering
process. If a quorum of a board uhimateh'
participates in a deliberation. a meeting has
occurred.
On the other hand. a meeting held by
conference telephone call might be ,justified
under limited circumstances, if the public can
fully participate in the meeting process. But if
there was not public notice, and if the public
id not have the opportunity to participate,
such a meeting would violate the Act.
The Brown Act now specifically allows a
legislative body to use video teleconferencing
to receive public comment or testimony, or to
deliberate. Agendas must be posted and regu-
lations adopted to protect the rights of the
public. The provision. added in 1988. expires
in January. 1994 if not extended. ~
Serial meetings
Among the most frequent controversies
over the Brown Act are those involving what
are called serial, rotating or seriatim meet-
ings. Such meetings at any one time involve
only a portion of a legislative body, but even-
tually involve a quorum.
The serial meeting may be a daisy-chain.
in which member A contacts member B, B
contacts C, C contacts D and so on, until a
quorum has been involved. It mav be a hub-
and-spoke in which, for example, a city attor-
ney (the hub) telephones members ofa rede-
~'elopment agency ( the spokes) one by one for
decision on a proposed action,~ or in which
a chief executive briefs board members prior
to a formal meeting. and in the process reveals
information about their respective views. M1
violate the Act.
Aa'~ elected official has the right, if not the
duty, to meet with constituents to address
their grievances. That official also has the
right to confer with a colleague about public
business. But if and when a quorum has inter-
acted directly or indirectly through this proc-
ess, the Brown Act has been violated.5 In one
case, a violation occurred when a quorum of a
city council directed staff bv letter on an
eminent domain action 6
There may be nothing improper or un-
ethical about the substance of a serial meet-
ing. The problem is the process itself, which
deprives the public of an opportunity ibr a
meaningful contribution to the decision-
making process.
The phone call was from a lobbyist.
"Say, J need your vote for that project in
the South Area. How about it?"
"Well, I dunno," replied Board Mem-
ber Adams. "Thars kind of a sticky propo-
sition. You sure you need my vote?"
"Well, I've got Baker and Charles
lined up and another vote leaning. With
you l'd be over the top..."
Moments later, the phone rang again.
"Hey, I've been hearing some rumbles on
that South Area project," said the news-
paper reporter. 'Tin counting noses. How
are you voting on it?"
Neither the bbbyist nor the reporter has
done anything wrong. But the elected official
may have been pushed to the edge of a Brown
Act violation--if not over--by hearing about
other votes. The prudent course is to tD' to stop
lobbyists, staff and news media from revealing
the votes and positions of other board members.
Social events
The Brown Act does not prohibit elected
or appointed officials from attending social
CHAPTER 2
"All meetings of the
leg,sJative 6oav oF a
/ocaj agency shah
be open end c~ub/ic.
2nd all persons shall
provided .
CHAPTER 2
Meetings
4
events together. Nothing in the law prevents a
quorum of elected officials fi-om going to the
same fbotball game. or to a party. or aweriding
or funeral. They can attend a threwell party
together. or a reception for a new executive.
The test is not onlv whether a quorum is
involved but also whether the public's busi-
ness is discussed: if public business is scrupu-
lously avoided. there is no violation of the
Brown Act.
Retreats
Aswith social events, the test in these cases
is whether the public's business is discussed.
Attendance by a quorum at general confer-
ences covering broad issues--such as annual
conventions--does not fall under the Brown
Act. But a quorum's attendance at a more
limited gathering which fbcuses on a more
specific local issue probably does.
Retreats fall somewhere in benveen busi-
ness and social meetings. If their focus is on
long-range planning, discussion of critical
issues and the like, they come under the Brown
Act.
If their focus is team building and group
dynamics, the issue is less clear. The League of
California Cities, for example, has long held
that such retreats are exempt so long as no city,
issues or ciw business are discussed. By con-
trast, attorneys for the California Newspaper
Publishers Association commonly advise re-
porters that the relationships of elected
members with each other and their staffs are
matters of public business and that such
meetings are subject to the Brown Act.
The Attorney General believes a retreat
artended by officials from a single jurisdiction
probably falls under the Act, even if discussion
is limited to issues of procedures, morale or
other concerns.:
Some local agencies, such as general law cities,
must hold all their meetings within their boundaries.
But all local agencies may find it controversial to
hold retreats out of town. Even if an agency' makes
sure to observe the Brown Act by.' g~ving notice of the
meeting, it may be criticized for holding a meeting
inaccessible to the media and the public because of its
cost or remoteness.
Regular informal meetings
It is often a temptation to mix business
with pleasure~br example, by holding a post
meeting luncheon. But informal BarI" 'ira
which business is discussed are sub, ~
Brown Act.
For example. intbrmal luncheon Bat.
ings at which business is discussed or tr
acted are meetings under the Brown Act.
luncheon meeting in a crowded dining rc
violates the Act if the public does not hay,
adequate oppormnin' to hear or parficipat
the deliberations of board members.
Similarly, informal get-togethers b
quorum of a body with representative~
other organizations, to discuss schools.
port problems or other civic matters. are
ered bv the Act.
A quornm of a legislative bodv can at(,
a meeting of the Kiwanis or Rotarc Club >
ply as prominent citizens. But if they pla~
discuss public husiness under their }uris
(ion. they should give notice under the Brl
Act and the public should be pertnit(el
attend.
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. As they di!
every week, the Board of Directors of Dr
Gulch Irrigation Districttrooped int~°op'
Donut Shoppe for an hour of ~'
[ellowship. They sat at the corner w..
fronting on Main and Broadway, to shox
they had nothing to hide.
Whenever he could, the managin5
editor of the weekly newspaper down th
street hurried over to join the Board...
A meeting like this would not violate t/,
Brown Act if board members scntpulonsl
avoided talking about irrigation district i
sues. But it is the kind of meeting that shoui
be avoided. Tke public is unlikely to belittle
board could meet regularly without discussin
public business. A newspaper executive's pre~
ence in no way lessens the potential ]br
Brown Act violation.
1. 42 Ops. CaLAO),.Gen. OI (1963~
2. 61 Ops, CaLAtty. Gen. 220 (1978)
3, Government Code Section 54953
4. Stockton ),'ewspaper Inc. v. Redevelopmen( 4¢en0
171 CaLApp. 3d 95
5. 630ps. Cal. Atty, Gen. 820 r1980): 65 Op~.C
63 (l 982)
6. Common Causev. StirlinK, 198l and 1983
7. "Open Meeting' Laws. "Californta Attorn~ t~enerat. 1
p. 18
,~', 43 Op~.()al..~tt¥.(ien. 3o fl964)
CHAFFER 3:
CHAFFER3
"... The Legislative Body of a Local Agency..."
The technical meaning of "legislative body · The "governing board. commission,
o a local agency" has expanded 'so much that ireclots or bov of a local agencv and any
thfe safest assumption is that virtually all public ~oard or commidlsion thereof." 7The Act cox;-
bodies are covered bv the Act. ers not only legislative actions. but also actions
A "local agency"' includes a county, citv
(general law or chartered), school or other
district "or any board, commission or agency
thereof, or anv other local public agency." I
The law even considers two ,types of non-profit
corporations to be local agencies. 2
The Brown Act covers air pollution con-
trol districts and voluntary area and local
planning agencies.3 A housing authority, even
though created under state law, is a local
agency.4
It has been held that "the Legislature in-
tended that all agencies be in some open
meeting act unless expressly excluded...s So it
may not matter much whether an organiza-
tion is a "local agency" or "state agency." In any
case, it will have to comply with similar open
meeting laws.
What kind of agency is not covered by the
Act? The most notable example is a board or
commission which is an adjunct to the judici-
ary,; a meeting of the judges of the Superior
Court, or of a county, board of parole commis-
sioners, is not covered bv the Brown Act. The
Act also does not appiy to county central
committees of political parties.s
The Act defines a "legislative body" very
broadly. It includes:
which are primarily executive or quasi'judi-
cial-such as a zoning appeals
· Any body--public or private--on
which (1) officers of a local agency serve in
their official capacity and which (2) is sup-
ported in whole or part by local agency fundsY
·Anv multi-member bodv which exer-
cises any authority delegated to it by the legis-
lative bodvj°
· Any advisory group created bv formal
action of a legislative body or member of a
legislative body of a local agency. n
· Any permanent board or commission
of a local agency, including planning commis-
sions, library boards and recreation boardsJ2
The Brown Act is aimed at the decision-
making process involving a quorum of the
board. It does not apply to individual decision-
makers such as agency or department heads
when they meet with advisors, staff, colleagues
or anyone else. A single individual acting on
behalf of a legislative body is not a legislative
body. For example, the Brown Act does not
apply to a hearing officer in an employee
disciplinary hearing,is or to an individual city
council member screening candidates for
office)~
Less than a quorum
A major exception is written into the
provisions about advisory, groups created by
formal action. Specifically excluded from the
definition of a legislative body is "a committee
composed solely of members of the governing
"Aft meetings of the
legislative body
local agency shaji
be open ana ~ubil
and at/persons snc
be permittea to
attend anv meeting
of the/eaistatl~e
clgencv, excelD[
as otherwise
provided.
LHAPTER 3
Legislative ~ody
6
bodv of a lncal agency which are less than a
quorum at such governing body." i;
As a consequence, all ad hoc c{nnlnittee oh
less than a quorum of the legislative body.
created to advise the full bodv on candidates
for a vacant position. is excepted t'rorTl the
Brown Act./.
Fnrthermore, tbe Attorney General be-
lieves the law implies a similar exception when
less than a quorum of a legislative bodv meets
to discuss business: thus a permanent commit-
tee (such as a budget or finance commitreel
comprised of less than a quorum is not cox'-
ered bv the Brown Act. However, the commit-
tee mav well be covered by the open meeting
laws flit exercises delegated authority. t:
"1 move adoption of the report of the
Finance Committee," declared Board
Member Baker. "Second the motion,"
said another member on the Finance
Committee.
"Well, I think I need to know more
than this one- age summary before I can
vote," replie~Member Adams.
Chairman Jones spoke up. "The whole
reason we set up this committee system
was to streamline the process. We've got
to trust our committees if we want to tgh~
out of here before three o'clock in
morning..."
A board is flirting with a Br,' · A
violation if it ntbber stamps dec
ntbquontm committees which have not
public. The process deprives the public o/'
meaninglid pan o/the decision-making pro
ess. One wa~' to avoid potential problems is
en cou rageju ll discussion and public co m
at the meetings oj the full board. A nother is
have the subquorum committees comply wi,
public notice and agenda provisions o]'
Brown Act.
A "unitary" body
The less-than-a-quorum exception cm
used bv two or more bodies to create a
rate adk.'isory group. In one case. however.
members of a city council ,joined with
members of a planning coinmission to re~
qualifications of job applicants and m
recommendations to the council. Their j,
mission made them a "unitary body" subje~
the Brow'n Act. Had they met only to excha
information. they would have been excepte
Except for such unitary bodies, the Br~
Act does not apply to a committee 'de
solely of less-than-a-quorum delega~
various bodies, especially when no one b
controls the behavior of another.
"We need to get together and figur
out how to et more industry into th
county," dec~a~red the Chairman of th
two members from our board, tv,,~
members from the city council, and t,,v
members of the irrigation district.
"That way, we won't have to let th
newspapers in. There's no way to out&
the counties around us if all the have r
do is pick up the paper to see wKat we'r
Up tO."
Such a meeting, if intended strictOf or a
exchange of information. can be held withal
being open and public under the Brown Act.
But it is likely to be controversial. 4that for tt
public certainly for the n~vs media. Most goo
ihallenffe to lind old what happened anv-
]lOlt~HHtt because thn' would have to teA' on
;Heritable. Lt ~,~blat[ve bod[e~ slhoutd weiffh the
eisks prior Ni dccid~ ng that a meetz nff ~ho uM he
, lo~ed bimp6' because it can be.
Ad hoc advisory groups
Ad hoc advisory groups, task tbrces. "blue
ribbon" committees and the like shotrid not
be a problem--but they are. It often does not
occur to volunteer citizens groups that they
are covered by the Brown Act. However. such
bodies are invariably created by "formal ac-
lion" of a legislative body--which amounts to
just about any action in an official capaciwYI
That makes them subject to the Brown Act.
Not covered bv the act is a group advisory
to a single decision-maker which is not created
by formal action.:: It is thus possible that a
committee actvisoPv to a county superinten-
dent ot schools would not be covered by the
Act: but the same committee. if created bv
formal action of the county Board of Educa-
tion, would be covered.
The prudent assumption is that an advisor~'
committee or task force is subject to the Brown .4ci.
Even !forte clearly is not, it may want to comply with
the Act: public meeting~ mt~v reduce the possibiliU o}
misunderstanding~ and controver~T.
7
Non-profit organizations
It is a widespread ntisperception that any
organization receiving public funds is subject
to the Brown Act. But the test has two ele-
ments: receipt of public money from a local
agency and the presence on the organiza-
tion's board of a member of that agency's
legislative body acting in his or her official
capacity. That provision has been held to
make a vohmtary organization of the board of
supervisors and city councils in a county sub
ject to the Brown Act.2'z
Suppose a Chamber of Commerce is
funded in part bv a Citv Council. and the
Mayor sits on the Chamber's board of direc-
tors. If the Mayor holds that position in an
official capacity, the Chamber is subject to the
Brown Act and must hold open and public
meetings. If the Mayor is on the board as the
owner of a prominent local business. the
Chamber is not subject to the Act.
Two other types of non-profit organiza-
tions are specifically covered by the Brown
Act. One is an agency which received public
money under the federal Economic Opportu-
nityact of 1964. ,.,:t
The second is any nonprofit corporation
created bv one or more local agencies (1)
whose board of directors includes a member
appointed bv such local agencies, and (2)
which is formed to acquire, construct, recon-
struct, maintain or operate any public work
project. z ~
Delegated authority
A governmental organization to which au-
thority has been delegated--including a
subquorum of the legislative body itself~is
subject to the Brown ActY5 A non-profit corpo-
ration, if not one of the nvo types in the
previous section, may not be.
The Attorney General concluded the dele-
gated authority provision subjected a joint
powers agency--the board of directors of the
Oakland-Alameda Countv Coliseum--to the
Brown Act. Later. an appellate court ruled
CHAPTER 3
Legislative Bo
/t often doe5 not
occur to volunteer
cihzens groups the
they are covereo c
the Brown AC
~ ;HAPTER 3
Legislative Body
8
thata non-profit corporation which contracted
with a hospital district to operate Marin Gen-
eral Hospital was not subject to the Brown Act.
In that decision. the Court said the Attorney
General had been "probably incorrect*' in the
Coliseum opinion. :,
Interestingly, another appellate court
ruled the other way on a similar non-profit
corporation created bv a hospital district to
run Desert Hospital in Palm Springs. How-
ever. the Supreme Court later removed that
opinion as legal precedent.
The actions by.' both hospital districts generated
considerable local controversy. In both cases, the
shift to corporate management was intended to
prevent competing hospitals from knowing about
their business plans--a rationale n~,t available to
most local agencies and probably , ,nger needed
even t7 hospital districts: A narrow r.xreption to the
Brozon Act now allows hospital districts to bold
closed meetings to discuss "trade secrets. ' :7
1. Government Code Section 54951
2. Government Code Sections 54951.1 and 54951, 7
3. "Open Meeting Laws, "California Attorney General, 1989,
p. 10
4. Torres v. Board of Commi~sioner~ l1979) 89 Cal, App. 3d
545
5. 1~rres v. Board of Commtssionetx 11979) 89 CaLApp. 3d
545
6. 590ps. C~d. Atty. Gen. 162 Cl976t
7. Government Code Section 54952
8. 61 Ops. Cal. Atty. GetL 220{1970); 57 0ps. CaI. At(v. Gen.
189(1974~
9. Government Code 8ection 54952
10. Government Code Section 54952.2
11. Government Code Section 54952.3
12. Government Code Section 54952.5
13. B~lson v. San Franrisco 3funicipal Raihoa5 t 19731 29
CaLApp.3d 870
14. 69 Ops. CaLAt(v. Gen. 230 (1986~
15. Government Code Section 54952.3
16. Henderson v. Board of Education (1978) 78 Cal. App.3d
875
17. "Open Meeting Laws, "California AUorney General, 1989,
p. 13
18. Joiner r. City of Sebastopol t l 981~ 125 Cal. App.3d 799
19. 64 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 856 (1981)
20. Joincr y. City of Sebastopol (19811 125 Cai. App. Yd 799
21. 56 0ps. Od. At(v. Gen, 14 at p, 19f1973)
22. 67 Ops. Cal, Atty. Gen. 488 (1984)
23. Government Code section 54951.1
24. Government Code Section 54951.7
25. 700ps, Cal. Atty. Gen. 57(1987)
26. Yoffie v. Mann Hospital Distnct t1987) 193 Cal. App. 3d
743
27. Health and Safety Code Secoon 32106
CHAFFER 4:
"... Shall be Open and Public and..."
There are Bvo essentials for an open and
public meeting. One is effective notice:
whether a meeting is open or not is academic
if no one knows about it. The other is an
agenda which adequately describes the items
to be considered.
For the most part. the Brown Act treats leg-
islative bodies and advisory, groups alike. One
significant difference. however. is in notice
and agenda requirements: provisions for
advisory groups (discussed later ~ are less strin-
gent.
Every meeting of the legislative body of a
local agency must have public notice and a
binding agenda. The specifics vary by type of
meeting.
Regular meetings
The legislative body must set the time for
regular meetings by ordinance, resolution,
bylaws or similar formal rule for conducting
business. The meeting need not be held in the
agency's boundarieg. unless required by the
act forming the agency: general law cities. for
one. must meet within their boundaries. A
regular meeting that falls on a holiday is held
the next business day. A meeting place can be
moved if the usual site is unsafe because of an
emergency. 1
An agenda must be posted at least 72
hours before a regular meeting in a spot
"freely accessible to members of the public." It
9
must contain a ~'a brief general description of
each item of business to be transacted or
discussed at the meeting." With three excep-
tions (discussed below). no action can be
taken on an item not on the posted agenda. e
Special meetings
The presiding officer or a majority. of a leg-
islative body can call a special meeting at anv
time. Written notice must be sent to eacfi
member of the legislative body (unless waived
in writing by that member) and to each local
newspaper of general circulation, or radio or
television station which has requested such
notice in writing.
The notice must in effect constitute the
agenda. It must state the time and place of the
meeting, and all business to be transacted. It
must be posted at least 94 hours prior to the
special meeting in a site freely accessible to the
public: media notice must be delivered bv the
same deadline. The body cannot consider
business not in the notice. s
Adjourned meetings
A regular or special meeting can be ad-
journed and re-adjourned to a time and place
specified in the order of adjournment. If no
time is stated. the meeting is continued to the
hour for regular meetings. Less than a quo-
rum may so adjourn a meeting; and if no
member of the legislative body is present. the
clerk or secretary may adjourn the meeting.
Notice provisions are the same as for spe-
cial meetings. In addition, a copy of the order
of adjournment must be posted within 24
hours after the adjournment, at or near the
door of the place where the meeting was
held?
Continued hearings
A hearing can be continued to a subse-
quent meeting. The process is the same as for
adjourned meetings, except that if the hear-
ing is continued to a time less than 94 hours
away, a copy of the notice or order of con tinu-
ance must be posted immediately following
the meeting.
CHAPTER 4
'Aft meetings of thf
legisJotive body or
local agency shall
be open and pub
and all persons sh
be oermlrted to
attend any meerln~
of the/egisiotive
body of o
as other,vise
provided.
CHAFFER 4
Open ~- Public
Advisory groues are
specificoily exempted
:torn the regular,
SpeCIe/c~,'ournea
:rig requirements that
oppjy ro /eglsiatlve
bodies
I0
Closed meetings
Part or all of a regular or special meeting,
or one which has been adjourned. mav be
closed to the public under special conditions
(discussed in Chapter 6). But notice is still
required. even if no action is taken. 3
Part of a regular meeting which is closed
apparently requires the same 72-hour agenda
notice as an open session? However, the local
body can give the general reason for closing
the session, and provide any statutory, authori-
zation. either before or after the meeting.
For a special. adjourned or continued
meeting, a statement of the general reason for
a closed session must be part of the public
notice.
The legislative body in a closed session can
consider only matters covered in its state-
mentYThe Act neither requires nor authorizes
the statement to give names or nther informa-
tion that are an "invasion of prlvacy or unnec-
essarily divulge the particular facts concern-
ing the closed session." Thus an item's de-
scription can be modified to protect the pri-
vacy of an individual or the conduct of pend-
ing litigation.
Emergency meetings
An agency can hold an emergency meet-
ing when prompt action is needed because of
actual or threatened disruption of public fa-
cilities. An "emergency situation" exists if the
legislative body determines a work stoppage
or other activity,, or crippling disaster, severely
impairs public health and/or s~ety.
The special meeting provisions apply to
emergency meetings, except for the 24-hour
notice. News media which have requested
written notice of special meetings must be
notified by telephone at least one hour in
advance of an emergency meeting, and all
telephone numbers provided in that written
request must be exhausted. If telephones are
not working, the news media must be notified
as soon as possible of the meeting and what
transpired there.
There is one other major difference.
Unlike some regular or special meetings,
emergency meetings cannot be closed. s
It behooves the news media to mr
requests are on file for noti~cati&
emergen0' meetings. The written requests
also be periodically renewed---e~peciai~' i
numbers or addresses have been changed.
such a request. a local agenO,' has no legal ob
to riotiff, news media of special or emergen
ings,--although notzfication may be advi,
any event to avoid controversy.
Advisory commission
meetings
A separate provision applies !
commissions. committees or bodies.
must be held within the local agency
tory--unless facts and data elsewhere are
examination. Notice must be given at
hours before a meeting, personally or ~
to any person who has so requested in ~
If the advisory group elects to hold
meetings, it must so indicate in byl:
another official document: no other nl
required. Advisory groups are spec
exempted from the regular. speci
and continued meeting requix,
apply to legislative bodies. '3
Because of these provisions, the Attorn
eral doubts that the courts would apply the
agenda requirement for regular meetings to
groups. If possible. adviso .ry groups may non
wish to observe the 72-hour requirement.
Special district notice
Another Brown Act provision m.
notice required of the legislative
special districts. In addition to the rc
ments above, thev must also send no
least a week before special and regular
ings to any district landowner who so re
in writing; however, the legislative bo<
give any notice it deems practical for a s
meeting less than 7 days away.
The written request for such notic~
describe the property, involved. and m
renewed an nually during the first three n
of the year. The district can char~-- '~ r.
able amount for sending notices.
estimated costs. xs
School district meetings
Finaliv, the Education Code contains sev-
eral differences for school districts. ?dl agenda
items must be posted where paten ts and teach-
ers can see them, at least 48 hours before a
regular meeting and 94 hours before a special
meeting.ll.Ln item is apparently void if not
posted. 1 .o
A school district must also adopt regula-
6ons to make sure the public can place mat-
ters affecting district business on meeting
agendas. and to address the board on those
items. 13
Agenda descriptions
11
The goal o/'a local agenO' ~ agenda should be to
dearly szgnat what ztems are about. A committee
created b~' the League of California Cities put it this
way: *'The Committee recommends that the descnp-
tion be reasonably calculated to adequate(¥ in/brm
the public. For example. tf the item involves a land
use decision, the agenda should include a descrip-
tion of the action proposed and the location or street
address of the property in plain English, and if the
item involves a contract. the agenda should describe
the nature of the contraa. Emphasis should be
placed on informing the public of the substan ce of the
matter rather than precisely describing the contem-
plated council action."
There are several reasons for ernng on the side
of more rather than less detail:Journalists will want
CHAFFER 4
Open & Publi
The notice provisions of the Brown Act are
extensive but relativeIv uncontroversial. Bv
contrast. the agenda provisions are brief--
and troublesome.
Local legislative bodies were not required
bv the Brown Act to prepare agendas until
passage of AB 2674 in 1986. That change,
effective the next year, required agendas with
"a brief general description of each item of
business to be transacted or discussed at the
meeting." 14 A letter placed in the Senate Daily
Journal during the debate on AB 2674 said the
intent of the language was for agendas to
"contain sufficient descriptions...to enable
members of the general public to determine
the general nature of subject matter of each
agenda item, so that they may seek further
information on items of interest. It is not the
purpose of this bill to require agendas to con-
tain the degree of information required to
satisfy, constitutional due process require-
ments."
Mother section of the Brown act requires
the "general reason or reasons" for a closed
meeting? That indicates tess detail need be
provided about closed meetings.
There is considerable room for disagree-
ment over the detail necessary in an agenda.
At one extreme is a listing of general catego-
ries such as "reports," "correspondence" or
"personnel." At the other is a lengthy agenda
which includes most or all background mate-
rial sent to members of the legislative body.
to know enough about a topic to adequately prepare
Jbr a meeting The public will want to identi~ issues
of interest. Final~'a, the local agen9 should protect
itself against a possible suit to invalidate its actions.
Non-agenda items
There are three specific si mations in which
the Brown Act allows a legislative bodv to act
on an item not on the agenda:16
· When a majorit7 decides there is an
"emergency situation" as defined for emer-
gency meetings.
· When two-thirds of members (or all
members if less than two-thirds are presentl
determine "the need to take action arose
subsequent to the agenda being posted."
CHAFFER 4
Open & Public
12
· When an item appeared on the agenda
of, and was continued from. a meeting held
not more than five days earlier.
The exceptions are narrow. The first two
require a specific determination by the legisla-
tive body. That determination can be chal-
lenged in court, and if unsubstantiated can
lead to invalidation of an action.
The second exception requires that a new
need arise after posting of the agenda. and it
implies some degree of urgency, )m item
cannot be considered under this provision if
the legislative body or the staff knew about the
need before the agenda was posted. A new
need does not arise because staff forgot to put
an item on the agenda. or because a land
developer missed a deadline.
Other than these three exceptions. the
Brown Act prohibits action on "surprise items."
It requires that the posted agenda describe
each item '*to be transacted or discussed." and
provides that "no action shall be taken" on any
item not on the agenda. I: The obvious pur-
pose is to make sure interested members of
the public are notified of items to be consiS
ered.
"I'd likea h,vo-thirdsvoteofthe Board.
so we can go ahead and act an phase 2
of the East Area Project," said Chairman
Jones.
"lt's noton the agenda. Butwe learned
two days ago thatwe're ahead of sched-
ule believe it or not-and I'd like to
keep it that way. Do I hear a motion?"
A two/thirds vote is open to scrutiny. if no
new need arose a~er the agenda was post,'ei.
Too casual an action could invite a to;trt
challenge by a disgruntled citizen. If possible,
the prudent course is to place an item on the
agtnda for the next meeting and not dsk
invalidation.
I. Government Code Section 54941
2, Government (2ode Section 54954.2 ta~ ana
3, Government (,'ode ,Section 54956:53 Ops.(.,.
245 11970)
4. Government Code Section 54055.
Government C~de .Section 54957 7:43 Ops. L,zl. Att~
79 (19641:41 Ops. Cal_ttlLGen e>i ~ I963~
O. "OpenAleelingLaws."Cal{fol:.ltaAltorne~(;e~li, retl. i
p. 29
7. Government Code Section 54957 7:43 Ops. Gd. Attx
79 (1964j
& Government Code Sectton 54956.5.
9. Government Code Section 54952.3
10. Government Code Section 54954. i
Ii. Education Code Section 35145
12. Carlson v. Pasadena L'nified School Distnct t 197h
CaLApp.3d 196
13. Education Code Section 35145.5
14. Government Code Scitron 54954.2
15. Government Code Section 54957.7
16. Government Code Section 549542
[7. Government Code ,gelton 54954.2 fal
13
CHAFFER 5:
CHAFFER
"...All Persons Shah be Perm' d to Attend..."'
A number of Brown Act provisions protect ords and must be made available to the public. ~
the publids rig t to attend and participate at A fee or deposit may be charged for a cop5, o ~
me a public record. 7
SimilarIv, if an agencv tape recor s an
to register their names, pro~de other infer- open meeting, the ropes and a rope recorder
marion. complete a questionnaire, or other-
wise "fulfill any condition precedent" to at-
tending a meeting. Any attendance list, ques-
tionnaire or other document circulated at a
meeting must cleariv state that its completion
is voluntary,, and that all persons mav attend
whether or not they fill it out. x
No meeting or any other function can be
held in a facility' that prohibits attendance
based on race. religious creed. color, national
origin, ancestn' or sex. , There can be no
"semi-closed" meetings, which some mem-
bers of the public are permitted to attend as
spectators while others are not: meetings are
either open or closed. s
The legislative body mav remove persons
from a meeting who willfully interrupt pro-
ceedings. If order still cannot be restored, the
meeting room may be cleared. Members of
the news media who have not participated in
the disturbance must be allowed to continue
to attend the meeting. 4
Every agenda must give the public the op-
portunity to speak on anv items in the legisla-
tive body's jurisdiction. However, the legisla-
tive body can adopt reasonable regulations
limiting the time for particular issues and for
individual speakers. An exception covers City
Councils and the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors: no opportunity, to speak need be
given on an item which was earlier addressed
at a public hearing of a council or board
committee, and which has not changed sub-
stantially since then. ~
Secret votes in open meetings, and the
casting of mail ballots, are prohibited, be-
cause they deprive the public of a portion of its
right. 6
The public has the right to review agendas
and other writings distributed to a majority, of
the legislative body. Except for privileged
documents. those materials are public rec-
must be made available to the public on re-
quest. (However, a tape recording made to
prepare minutes can be erased afterwards,
provided all public records requests are first
complied with.) If a transcript was prepared.
the public generally has the right to receive a
copy. s
In addition, the public is specifically al-
lowed to make its own tape recordings of a
meeting, absent a reasonable finding bv the
legislative bodv that the recording would dis-
rupt proceedings. s(Although the Brown Act
does not give radio stations the right to broad-
cast meetings of legislative bodies, another
statute conditionally authorizes broadcasts of
meetings required to be open. 10)
Finally, local bodies can go beyond these
minimal standards to require greater access to
their meetings and to those of their appointed
bodies. l i
The public's place on the
agenda
The Brown Act guarantees the public the
right to speak at a meeting on any subject on
which the agency has power to act. But it is up
to the legislative body to decide what is within
its jurisdiction, and precisely when the public
should speak.
The intent of the law is best served bv
allowing the public to speak on an item before
action is taken on it. That does not mean
public comment must be provided on each
item as it comes up.
One alternative is to set aside a fixed pe-
riod of time early in the meeting to receive
public comment on agenda items and other
matters.
"Aft meetings of:
legislative body,
bcal agency shc
be open and tau:
and all persons,
be permitted to
attend any meetl
of the leaeslative
body oF c ;coat
agency exceer
as otherw,se
provided
CHAPTER 5
All Persons
14
Probably the won,t sohttlon
public cootment on agenda items at the end of a
meetzng. That procedure deprives the public q a
conemOtion to the derision-makin~ proce~. [/also
invite~ the pu blic ~ resentment over bein.ff re/e~ated to
the end o[ what might be a tong meeting.
Reactive discussion
The public can talk about anything, but
the legislative body cannot act on an item not
on the agenda. What happens when a mem-
ber of the public raises a subject not on the
agenda? Can the legislative body discuss it?
Yes, if two-thirds of the board determine it
involves a need that arose after the posting of
the agenda. Otherwise, the answer is not abso-
luteix' clear.
'~he Brown Act savs an agenda must de-
scribe each item of business "to be transacted
or discussed," and provides that "no action
shall be taken" on anv item not appearing on
the posted agenda. ~: That section requires dis-
cussion items be on the agenda.
Elsewhere the Brown Act defines "action
taken" as "a collective decision made by major-
it5'` of the members of a legislative body, a
collective commitment or promise by a major-
ity of the members of a legislative body to
make a positive or negative decision, or an
actual vote by a majorit}' of the members of a
legislative bodv when sitting as a bodv or
enti~', upon a motion. proposal, resolution,
order or ordinance." 1 ~ That section makes no
specific reference to a discussion.
Fhe Attorney General believed-disc
items as well as taking of action ~ ~
the 72-hour agenda requirement-- .Au
court would approve a discussion f,
purpose of understanding a problem.
ing out an issue. or providing infon
from staff. t,
The most conse, vative approach ma,
automatically rej~' all new items to staff,
them on the next agenda. A member of the sea
subject to the Brown Act. and may respond to
tion from the audience.
Most likely, the law allows some discussz
legislative bo~v about a matter raised ~ the pl
although the longer the discussion the grea
danger of a violation.
The Brown ,Act probably doe~ not pre'
single member oj a legislative bot~¥ from re~p,
to a public presentation t~':
· askingquestions to clarijS' the speaker's i
· asking staff to provide informati~n i~
ately or at the next meeting;
· disclosinga relevant fact, forexample tt
issue raised is understudy by staff or a com~
· informing the .speaker about a sou
jhrther information or assistance: or
· expressing normal courtesies, such as
tude for the speateer'~ concern.
1. Government Code Section 54953.3
2. Government Code Section 54961
3. 46 Ops. CaLAttv. Gen. 346 (1965~
4. Government Code Section 5495Z9
5. Government Code Seaion 54954.3 (ai and tb~
6. 59 Ops. Cal. At(~.Gen. 619 (1976k 68 Ops. C~d. Atl
65 (1985L
7. Government Code Section 54957.5
8. 64 Ops. CaLAt(~.Gen. 317tl9811
9. Government Code 5~ction 54953.5: A~vens v. Citx
Chino t19651 233 Cal. App. 2d 775
10. Government Code Section o091
II. Government Code Section 54953.7
12. Government Code Section 54954.2 ta~
13. Government Code Section 5495Z6
14. ~Open lUeeting Laws, " Califorma A ttorn~' O
p. 24
CHAPTER 6:
"...$xcept as otherwise provided..."
15
The majnr exceptions to an open meeting
law are. ot course. closed meetings. They are
sharph' restricted by the Brown Act.
The general reason tbr a closed meeting
must be made public--either before or after
the closed session of a regular meeting, and in
the advance notice for any other type of
meeting. ! In some cases--such as pending liti-
gation or real estate transactions--additional
infbrmation must be made public.
Sessions are either open or closed: A leg-
islative body cannot invite selected members
of the public to attend a meeting while reR~s-
ing others.: Closed meetings should usually
involve onh' the members of the bndv. plus
any additional support staff required or any
wimesses: i ndixqduals not necessan, to the meet-
ing should be excluded.
The Brown Act begins with a strong state-
ment in favor of open meetings. ~ It ends by
prohibiting anv closed sessions not expressly'
authorized bv the Act--a provision added in
1987 to eliminate any implied authority (such
as the attorney/client privilege) for secret
meetings. ~
It is not enough that a subject is sensitive,
embarrassing or controversial. Without spe-
cific authority ff>r a dosed session. a matter
mast be discussed in public. As an example. a
Board of Police Commissioners cannot gener-
ally meet in closed session. even though mat-
ters are sensitive and the commission consid-
ers their disclosure contran' to the public
interest. ~
,~though not addressed by the Brown Act.
it may be a breach of~duciaD' du~' to disclose
confidential matters arising during a lawthlh'
closed meeting. One source of problems is
closed sessions invok'ing labor negotiations;
sometimes a member of the legislative body
improperly discusses what transpired with the
affected labor organizations.
A confidential "minute book" mav be kept
to record actions taken at closed meetings. If
one is kept, it must be made available to
members of the legislative body and. if litlea-
lion alleges an open meeting violation. to the
court. Minutes of an improper closed meeting
are not confidential.
Despite the Brown Act's restrictions. closed
meetings have generated many controversies
between news media and legislative bodies.
Especially troublesome have been closed
meetings involving personnel or pending liti-
gation and. to a lesser extent. property trans-
actions and labor negotiations.
Sorne problems arise because secreq itself breeds
distrust. bt no case does the Brown Act requu'e a
rlosed ~ession. and legislative bodie~ do well to resist
the tendency' to call a dosed sesston ~imp(v because
permitted to. A better practice is to go into clo~ed
sessio?~ only when nefessar¢.
Personnel
Meetings can be closed for "personnel
matters"--a term used more for convenience
than [Br accuracy. The Brown Act itself never
mentions "personnel."
The law instead says a meeting can be
closed "to consider the appointment, employ-
ment. evaluation ofpertOrmance, or dismissal
of a public employee or to hear complaints or
charges brought against such employee by
another person or employee unless sucb
e~nployee requests a public hearing."
"Employee" specifically includes a num-
bet of officials not elected to office: city
manager, county administrator. city attorney,
county counsel. department head or similar
administrative officer in a local agency: and
general manager, chief engineer. legal coun-
sel district secretary. auditor. assessor. treas-
urer or tax collector of a district.
Elected officials. persons appointed to
office by the legislative body (other than those
listed above). consultants and independent
contractors are not employees. ';
The result is a relatively narrow exception.
It cannot be used to set salaries, discuss reve-
CHAPTER 6
~11 meerlnas of :r
3nO a// oersons s'
2aencv except
provided .,."
(;HAPTER 6
Exceptions
T,%e excePtiOn ,5
m/tea PC e,..oluaTzn?
:he eerrormdnce :,r O,':
16
nues or budget priorities. reclassit~,' positions
or reorganize a department. All those actions
must be public.
Action on individuals who are not "em-
ployees" must also be public--inchtding dis-
cussing and voting on appointees to commit-
tees. or debating the merits of independent
contractors, orconsideringacomplaintagainst
a member of the legislative body itself.
The exception is limited to evaluating the
performance of an individual employee or job
applicant. Its purpose is to avoid undue pub-
licin, or embarrassment for an employee and
to allow full and candid discussion of that
individual by the legislative body. 7
As a consequence, reclassification of a job
must be public, but an employee's abiliw to fill
that job may be considered in closed session.
.~though an employee's performance can be
rated in a closed session, any resulting salan'
change must be considered in public. ~
A closed session decision to hire or fire an
employee must be publicly announced at the
meeting at which the closed session occurred
or at the subsequent meeting. 9
The teachers' union representative
stepped fonnard to speak. "I'd like to
present the board with the results oF a
survey oF our membership. It shows that
over 80 percent of teachers have no
confidence in the Superintendent..."
"You're out of order,, interrupted the
Chairman. "A school board meeting is
not the proper forum for these kinds of
charges. Send us a copyof your material
and we'll consider it in a personnel ses-
SiOn.'
In the example above, a news sto.ry will
almost surely be written about the survO';
refusing to accept it will probably add fuel to
the fire.
That complication aside, a memberof the
public can discuss any topic in a legislative
body ~ jurisdictionsand that certainl~ in-
dudes the performance of key.' officials. The
Brown Act permits discussion of this topic in a
closed session, but does not prohibit the public
from raising the topic.
.DI c,lployee:~ /,b ke~7orman~ ,,o
be discu.ssed in publit i/ the/.
body so dtooses. Horv~er. the .~
,/ Gzli/brnia Cities twli~,e~ that
discu~ton ,/ all efilp[o)ee~ Inb prl[oyn
ance may expose tbe agenO' to fiabililv
breach oA the employ, ~ right to pnvn9'
~tt~attzing the employee.
On the other hand. a public emplm'ee ha
no right to pnvae3' regardingthe reasons he n
~he is gven a perfo~v'nance bonus,:" and leg'
lative body members as well as other meetin
participants enjoy an absolute legal pnvil&,
for their statements against suits for libel v
slander. n
"This meeting is adjourned," said th~
Mayor, "and now we're going to meet ir
closed session."
'What's the closed session about?'
asked a newspaper reporter.
"just personnel," said the Mayor
'That's all l can tell you."
Problems over "personnel" sesszon
occur because of naggmg suspicions that
lative bodies do not limit discussions to th,
letter of the law. Legislative bodies should b,
cautious:Failure to adhere to the law can/eat
to invalidation.
Part o] the controversy arises over the "p,'r
sonnel" term itself, which is broad and unzn
formatwe: its frequent use can triggerflare-up,
with the news media. If possible, a more spec(/i,
description is preferable--such as "Constder
ing candidates for chief engineer. '
Pending litigation
Historically a local agency could mc
privatelywith legal counsel whenever itwish<
an implied attorney/client privilege had be
held to exist under the Brown Act.
That ended in 1987. when legislation pi
hibited anv closed session not expressly
thorized by the Brown Act..~aq attorney; die
relationship still exists. and legal counsel may
use it tier prMleged written and ~erbal corn-
tunicationsqt rotside of nqeetings--to mere-
hers ol the legislative body. But it can no
longer be the reason 16r a closed session.
What remains is an exception to consider
pending litigation. A closed session can be
held by the body to confer with, or receive
ad,,~ce fi~om. its legal counsel when open dis-
cussion wottld prejudice the position of the
local agency in the litigation. l'2 While the issue
is not absoluteh' clear. the Attorney General
believes that if the agency's attorney is not
present, or if the agency's position is not
prejudiced by open discussion, the meeting
cannot be closed.l:l
More specificallS'. the Brown Act calls liti-
gation "pending" when:
/al a proceeding dncluding eminent
domainl to which the agencx is a part)' has
been ibrmallv initiated before a court or
other adjudicator5' body; or
(b) the legislative body, on advice of its
counsel and based on existing facts and
circumstances. determines there is signifi-
cant exposure to litigation: or when the
legislative body is meeting only to decide if
a closed meeting is authorized: or
(c) the legislative body itself is deciding
on initiating litigation.
Before holding a closed meeting under
the pending litigation exception. the legisla-
17
If the meeting is closed under the first provi-
sion, tbe memorandum must include the title
,~t the litigation: in the other nvo cases. it must
include the ihcts and circumstances on which
it is based. The memorandum must be submi t-
ted prior to the meeting if feasible. and in any
tase not more than a week later. The memo is
confidential until the litigation is finally adju-
dicated or settled.
Ob~ouslv. the Legislature has attempted
to narrowIv define the pending litigation
exception. ~t a great deal of ambiguin' re-
mains. ~X~en is an agency's position preju-
diced by open discussion? ~at is significant
exposure to litigation?
On the one hand, public agency attorneys
often construe the exception liberally. They
may attempt, in private, to prevent the legisla-
tive bodv from taking an unconstitutional
action or pluuging into other legal hot water.
They contend that a legal concern, if ex-
pressed in public. could well become part of a
court action.
On the other hand, the news media and
other obsen'ers argue that the public has ~he
right to know the legal as well as the factual
dimensions of proposed decisions. The par-
ties involved certainly know what's going on,
so secrecy keeps only the public in the dark.
Closed sessions do not deter litigation, thev
only diffuse accountabili~. ~4
There is a vast difference between a vague th rear
of litigation and a lawsuit. Along the way is a
conunuum of competing interests: the legislative
bod~' has to balance the public interest in knowing
what is going on with the public interest in not
~~ jeopardizing the position of the local agenO'.
' Real estate negotiations
A legislative body may meet in closed ses-
sion with its negotiator before the
purchase, sale, exchange or lease of real prop-
tive body must publicly state which of the
three situations apply. If the exception is under
the first provision. the litigation must be iden-
tified-unless disclosure would jeopardize
service of process or settlement negotiations.
Finally. legal counsel must submit a memo-
-andum to the board stating the specific rea-
ms and legal authoritS' for the closed session.
erty by or for the local agency. The purpose is
to give the negotiator instructions on price
and terms of payment.
The bodv's negotiator may be a member
of the body itself. :D.d "lease" includes a lease
renewal or renegotiation.
CHAPTER 6
Exceptions
An attorney/c/lent
re/ationshif2 stl;} exists
rne legislative Door
But it can no
be t~e reason Dr a
closed session
CH3YTER 6
Exceptions
18
As is the case with the pending litigation
exception. additional intbrmation must be
disclosed: Before the closed session. the legis-
lative body must publicly identify the real
properties involved and the persons with whom
it is negotiating. ~''
"Our population is expiodin , and
we have to think about new schooPsites,"
said Board Member Baker.
"Not only that," interjected Member
Chades, "we need to get rid of a coupie
of our older facilities."
"Well, obviously the place to do that
is in a dosed session," said Member Doe.
"Other,vise we're going to set off land
e
~n an uproar.
A closed meeting to discuss potential sites
is not authorized by.' the Brown Act. The excep-
tion is limited to instructing a negotiator over
specific sites--not to decisions in advance of
negotiations. Although staff may investigate
real estate needs, eventually the poli~ decision
to acquire or dispose of real property must be
made at an open meeting.
Labor negotiations
The Brown Act allows closed ses~ ns
some aspects ot labor negotiations. DiffeI
provisions (discussed belnwl apply tn scl
districts.
A legislative body may meet in closed
sion to instruct its bargaining agent on
ployee salaries and fringe benefits. and
working conditions which by law reqx
negotiation. It may also meet in closed ses~
with a conciliator who has intervened in nt
tiations. 18
The legislative body can appoint om
more of its members to represent it. ~7 Bt
the bodv decides to negotiate collective1
cannot meet in closed session to reviex,
decide on its bargaining position. xs
'l have some important news to ar
nounce,' said Board Chairman jones
"We've decided to terminate the contrac
of the Chief Executive, effective immed
ately. The Board has met in closed ses
sion, and we've negotiated two year'
severance pay."
Individual salarie~ or benefits :t, I,
discussed or negotiated in closed session a
"personnel" matters. The action is subject t
invalidation if challenged. The result might t,
different if the severance pay were a negotiate,
settlement of a wrongful termination lawsun
Labor negotiations--school
districts
For most local agencies, labor relatil
with employees are covered bv the Mev/
Milias-Brown Act. That act does not touch
closed session provisions of the Brown I
Employee relations of school dx~
however, are governed bv the Rodda ?
which takes precedence. In this c~:s.e, diffen
meeting and special notice prowsxons apf
The entire board, for example, may negoti
in closed sessions.
Four types of closed meetings are pern
ted: (1) a negotiating session with a reo
nized and certified employee organizatil
(2) a meeting of a mediator with eb sit
/3} a hearing or meeting held by a fi~cttinder
or arbitrator: and (4) a session between the
board and its bargaining agent. or the board
alone. to discuss employee working condi-
tions and instruct its agent. :0
Public participation under the Rodda Act
also takes another form. All initial proposals
of both sides must be presented at public
meetings and are public record. The public
must be given reasonable time to inform itself
and to express its views before the district may
adopt its initial proposal.
In addition. new topics of negotiations
must be made public within 94 hours. Any
votes on such a topic must be followed within
24 hours by public disclosure of the vote of
each member. 20 The final vote must be in
public.
Student discipline
School district boards may also hold a
closed session to consider the suspension or
discipline of a student, if a public hearing
would reveal personal, disciplinary, or aca-
demic information about students contrary to
state and federal pupil privacy law. The pupil 's
parent or guardian may request an open
meeting.
Final action concerning the student must
be taken at a public meeting, and is a public
record,
Grand jury testimony
A legislative body may specifically testiBI in
private before a grand jury, either as individu-
als or as a group. ~'~
License applicants with
criminal records
A legislative body can hold a closed session
with an applicant for a license or license re-
newal who has a criminal record. The purpose
is to determine if the applicant is sufficiently
rehabilitated to obtain the license.
19
If the bodv as a result decides to denv the
license. the applicant may withdraw the appli-
cation. In that case, no record is to be kept of
the decision and all elements of the closed
session are confidential.
If the applicant does not withdraw, the
body must deny the license in public. immedi-
ately or at its next meeting. No information
from the closed session can be revealed with-
out consent of the applicant, unless the appli-
cant takes action to challenge the denial. ~3
Public and national security
Legislative bodies can meet in closed ses-
sion to discuss matters posing a threat to the
securiW of public buildings, or to the public's
right of access to public services or facilities.
The meetings are to be held with the Attornev
General, district attorney, sheriff or chief of
police, or their deputies.
Closed sessions may also be held to discuss
"matters affecting the national security."
Multijurisdictional drug law
enforcement agency
A joint powers agency, formed to provide
drug law enforcement services to multiple
jurisdictions may hold closed sessions to dis-
cuss case records of an on-going criminal
investigation. to hear testimony from persons
involved in the investigation, and to discuss
courses of action in particular cases.
The exception applies to the legislative
body of the joint powers agency and to anv
body adviso~ to it. The purpose is to prevent
impairment of investigations, to protect wit-
nesses and informants, and to permit discus-
sion of effective courses of action..~s
Hospital district trade secrets
A provision in the Health and SafeW Code,
enacted in 1986, gives hospital districts a
unique ability, to hold closed sessions to dis-
cuss "reports involving trade secrets"--pro-
vided no action is taken.
CHAPTER 6
Exceptions
t :HAPTER 6
Exceptions
2O
A trade secret is deiined as infbrmation
which is not generall~ known to the public or
competitors and which I 1 ) "derives independ-
ent economic value. actual or potential" by
virtue of its restricted knowledge 12) is neces-
san' to initiate a new hospital sen'ice or pro-
gram or facility. and (:3) would. if prematurely
disclosed, create a substantial probability of
depriving the hospital of a substantial eco-
nomic benefit.
The provision prohibits use of closed ses-
sions to discuss transitions in ownership or
management. or the district's dissolution. ~6
Government Code Sect(on 54957. 7
2. 46 Ops. Cal. At(v. Gen. 346 t1965~
3. Government C~de Section 54950
4. Government Code Section 54962
5 6~ Ops. CaLAtt),Gen. 34 t1985~
t2. Government t;ode Section 54957
7 63 Ops. C~l.4tt).Gen. 215 (1980~.
8. 8an Dtego Union v. Ctty Counctt t 1983~ 146 Cal. App. 3d ,
947.
9. Government Code Section 5495Z 1
10. 68 Ops. L~tLAttv. Gen. 17 (19851
ll. Civil Code Section 47, subdivision 2
12. Government Code Section 54956.9
13. "Open Meeting Laws" California Attorney General, 1989.
p. 41
14. Both pol nts o] view are addressed by 36 Ops. Cal. AttS. Gen
175 (1960~
15. Government Code section 54956.8
16. Government Code Section 5495E6)
17. 57 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 212 (1974~
18. 57 0ps. CaLAtty. Gen. 209t1974)
19. Government Code Section 3549.1
20, Government Code Section 3547
21, Education Code Sections 38146 and 48914
22. Government Code Section 54953. l
23. Government Code Section 54956. 7
24. Government C~de Section 54957
25. Government Code Section 5495Z8
26. Health and Safety Code Section 32106
21
CHAPTEll 7:
Remedies
The Brown Act is far from pertbct. It has
become increasingly complex over the years.
intruding into more areas of local govern-
ment process. It has triggered a number of
court cases and legal opinions--some of which
raise as many questions as they answer.
There are often suspicions the law has
been violated. Even when a violation is clear,
the end result typically remains tinaltered.
Frustration is the rule for those seeking re-
dress: no violation has ever ended tip as a
criminal prosecution.
Yet the Brown Act has made a major differ-
ence in the wav local government operates.
There are virtually no willful. deliberate viola-
tions at its provisions. In the early 1950s, most
local agency meetings were secret; now most
are open and public. Clear guidelines now
spell out agenda and public notice require-
ments. as well as the rights of the public.
When first enacted, the Brown Act had no
penalties or methods for enforcement. The
Act was amended in 1961 to make violations a
crime, and to authorize civil action to stop or
prevent violations. A provision went into ef-
t~ct in 1987 permitting invalidation of some
actions taken in violation of the law.
Criminal complaints
The criminal provision of the Brown Act.
punishable as a misdemeanor,1 is aimed at
officials who act improperly. It does not affect
the action taken.
A violation has two tests: An overt act--a
member of a legislative body must attend a
meeting at which action is taken in violation of
the Act. And knowledge--the member must
know the meeting violates the law.:
"Action taken" is defined elsewhere as not
only an actual vote, but also a collective deci-
sion, ccnnmitment or promise by a majority of
the legislative body to make a positive or
negative decision. !1 If the meeting involves
mere deliberation without the taking of ac-
tion, there can be no misdemeanor penalty.
A violation occurs ~br a tentative as well as
final decision. ~ In fact, criminal liability is trig-
gered bv a member's participation in a meet-
i ng in violation of the Brown Act~notwhether
that member has voted with the majority or
minorirv, or has voted at all.
The second test is that the member must
knowingly violate the law. In this case, igno-
rance of the law is an excuse.
As with other misdemeanors, the filing of
a complaint is up to the district attorney. So
far, none has chosen to prosecute.
Civil action
Any person can file a civil action to stop or
prevent a violation of the Brown Act or to seek
a court rnling on whether an action violates
the law. :'
Unlike the criminal provision, the civil
remedy does not require that action be taken
or that the legislative body members know
they are violating the law. All that is required
is a violation itself. This type of action involves
no manetan' damages. Its major use has been
to stop a legislative body from repeating an
action that violates the law.
Invalidation
Any person mav also seek a second type of'
civil remedy: to invalidate a legislative bodv's
actions that violate the act. Not all actions can
be challenged: and in any case the legislative
body has a chance to cure or correct its ac-
tions. ~
Invalidation is limited to violations which
are not "in substan tial compliance" with any of
three sections of the Brown Act: Section 54953,
the basic open meeting provision: and Sec-
tions 34959._. and 54956, which describe no-
tice and agenda requirements for regular and
special meetings.
Actions which violate those provisions~
such as a decision made in a serial meeting--
could be set aside. An action cannot be invali-
dated because of violation of another section,
such as the provision allowing meetings to be
tape recorded.
The law goes on to specifically exempt
CHAPTER 7
The Act was
amenaed !n i 96 1
!a make violations c
crime anc~ to au;ne
effect in 1987
permitting invafldattc
in violation & the
law
CHAPTER 7
Remecties
/n short, only some
v/elations may be
cha~enged; the legis-
lative body has the
ability to cure and
end even a voidable
action wlli stand if not
challenged within 30
days
22
three tH3es of actions: those invol%4ng sale or
issuance of notes. bonds or other indebted-
ness. or any related contracts or agreements;
those creating a contractual obligation. in-
cluding a contract let by competitive bid. upon
which a party, has in good faith relied to its
detriment: and those connected with the coF
lection of any tax.
Before going to court, a party, must com-
plain to the legislative body within 30 days
after an action that the action violated the
Brown Act. The legislative body then has up to
30 days to cure and correct its action. If it does
not act, suit must be filed within the next 15
days.
In short. only some violations may be chal-
lenged; the legislative body has the ability to
cure and correct most actions: and even a
voidable action will stand if not challenged
within 30 davs.
Court costs and reasonable attorneys fees
can be sought from the agency by a plaintiff
who successfully sues under either of the civil
provisio ns above. A defendant may be awarded
court costs and attorneys fees if the court finds
a civil action was clearly frivolous and lacking
in merit.:
Despite its limitations, the invalidation lan-
guage means legislative bodies will have to be even
more careful not to violate the Brown Act. Chal-
lenges are likely to come not so much from the general
public and news media as from unexpected quar-
ten--such as disgruntled business people.
Some violations, say of agenda or posting re-
quirements, may be relatively easy to cure and cor-
rect. Other violations---of the closed meeting provi-
sions, for example--may be more difficult to correct.
In a memo to its members, the League of Califor-
nia Cities recommended that a legislative body should
cure and correct a challenged action whenever pos-
sible. It suggested two sub-items be placed on the next
agvnda, thefirst for a decision on whether to correct
or cure an action, and the second for consideration
of the action if the answer to the first item is '5'es. .
The recommended action in the latter case is not to
rescind a previous action but to superse/
record of the earlier meeting can be incorpt
new public testimony should be allowed.
Informal resolution
Arguments over Brown Act issues oft
become emotional on all sides. Newspap¢
trumpet relatively minor violations, unhap
citizens fume over an action. and legislati
bodies clam up about information better
cussed in public. Hard lines are drawn
rational discussion breaks down.
A problem may end up in the courts, but
forced action hasn't worked very. well. When
said and done, the best wa'~ to handle Brown
issues is to discuss and settl~ them in a frank. o
public discussion between the legislative bodv
the public.
Few legislative bodies will knowingly and w.
fully violate the law, once it is clear what the law
And members of the public do well to dwell not
much on legalities of a past action as on modi]?i
future practices. The best solution is prey n.
l. A misdemeanor is punishable t~, a fine of up to $l. O0
or up to six months in count jail. or both.
2. Government Code Section 54959
3. Government Code Section 54952.6
4. 61 Ops. CaLAt(~.Gen. 283 (1078)
5. Government (:ode Section 54960
6, Government Code~ction 54960.5
7. Government (;ode Section 54960.5
CHAFFER 8:
Beyond The Law
This guide has fBcused not only on the
Brown Act. but also on meeting practices or
activities that. legal or not, are likely to create
controversy. Problems may crop up, for ex-
ample, when agenda descriptions are too brief
or vague, or when public comment is delayed
to an inconvenient time.
The Brown Act allows a legislative body to
adopt practices for itself and its subordinate
committees and bodies which are more strin-
gent than the law itself requires. Although
many local agencies have adopted regulations
or ordinances on public meeting policy, more
,fften than not they simply restate the law.
It max' be usefi.fi tbr local agencies to create
or update their local open meeting policies, in
an attempt to anticipate and prevent prob-
lems. As with any other significant policy,
public comment should be solicited.
As a start, a policy might consider expecta-
tions of three distinct elements of the public:
· Persons present with something to say.
Most individuals know they cannot take up the
whole meeting, yet do expect reasonable
consideration and quick response. They want
to comment on an item before it is decided.
They do not want to wait for hours to bring a
new item to the body's attention. They expect
~ome answer. even if brieL on a non-agenda
i t em.
23
· Persons absent with something to say.
These persons will be upset at hating missed
the chance to speak on a non-agenda item that
is discussed--and disposed of--in their ab-
sence. They may well question why such action
could not be postponed to a later meeting.
· News reporters. More than most other
members of the public. news reporters are
interested in in-depth information before and
after meetings. They want to report on what is
on, and what underlies. agendas--before a
meeting occurs. After a meeting. they want
immediate amplification of meeting decisions.
Many agencies may have specific constitu-
encies with other expectations. An explicit
and comprehensive public meeting and infor-
mation policy--especially if reviewed periodi-
cally---could be an important element in bet-
tering public relations.
Such a policy exceeds the absolute re-
quirements of the law~but if the law were
enough this guide would be unnecessary,. A
narrow legalistic approach will not avoid or
resolve potential controversies. It mav be well
for an agency to go beyond the law, to look at
its unique circumstances and determine if
there is a better wav to head off potential
problems.
CHAPTEr
if the jaw
enough this gu
would be unne
san/
24
Title
"local agenc ":
public bo~i~s
"local agency":
nonprofit corporation I
"local agency":
nonprofit corporation 2
"legislative body":
governing boards, subsidiaries
body which has an ;'official"
member and receives local
agency funds
"legislative body":
delegated authority
"legislative body":
bad created by
~orcm~al action
meeting and notice for
advisory bodies
The Ralph M. Brown Act
California Government Code
Sections 54950 through 54926
As Amended EffectiveJanura.rv 1, 1989
54950. In enacting this chapter. the Legislature finds and declares t:
the public commissions. boards and councils and the other public agent
in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. I t is the in t,
of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations
conducted openly.
The people of this State do not vield their sovereigns' to the agent
which serve them. The people, in d~legating attthoritx', do not give ~h
public servants the right to decide what is good tbr the people to know
what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remainin~ intornn
so that they may retain control over the instruments thev have created.
54950.5. This chapter shall be known as the Ralph M. Brown Act.
54951. As used in this chapter. "local agency" means a county.
whether general law or chartered, city and counW, town. school distr;
municipal corporation, district, political subdivision. or anv board ,nn
sion or agency thereof, or other local public agencv.
54951.1. For the pnrposes of this chapter, and to the extent not inc,
sistent with federal law, the term "local agency" shall include all priv.
nonprofit organizations that receive public money to be expended t~r put
purposes pursuant to the "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964".
54951.7. "Local agency" includes any nonprofit corporation. created
one or more local agencies, any one of the members of whose board
directors is appointed by such local agencies and which is formed to acqtti
construct. reconstrnct. maintain or operate allv public work project.
54952. As used in this chapter, "legislative bodv" means the governt
board, commission. directors or body of a local agency. or any board
commission thereof, and shall include any board. cmnmission. committ{
or other bodv on which officers of a local agency serve in their ottic
capacity as members and which is supported in whole or in part bv flu:
provided by such agency. whether such board, cotnmission. committee
other body is organized and operated by such local agency or bv a priv:
corporation.
54952.2. As used in this chapter, "legislative body" also means an:. boar
commission, committee, or similar multimember body which exercises a
authority of a legislative bodv of a local agency delegated to it bv
legislative bodv.
54952.3 As used in this chapter 'qegislative bodv" also includes a
advisory, commission, advisory committee or advisory body of a local agen,
created by charter. ordinance, resolution, or by any similar formal action
a legislative body or member oia legislative bodv of a local agene
Meetings of such advisory commissions, committees or bodies c,
ing subjects which do not require an examination of facts and data outsil
the territory of the local agency shall be held within the territory of the 1o~
agency and shall be open and public. and notice thereof must be deliverl
CODE
25
personally ol bv n~all at least 24 hours before the time ot such meenng to each
· ~erson who has reqnested, in writing, notice of such meeting.
If the advism'v commission. committee or body elects to prmfide for the
holding oi regular meetings, it shall provide by bylaws. or by whatever other
rnle is udlized by that advison' body tbr the conduct ot its business. tbr the
time and place tbr holding such regular meetings. No other notice otregular
meetings is required.
"Legislative body' as defined in this section does not include a commit-
tee composed solely of members of the governing body of a local agency
which are less than a quornm of such governing body.
The provisions of Sections 54954. 54955, 54955.1. and 54956 shall not
apply to meetings under this section.
54952.5. ,~s used in this chapter. "legislative body*' also includes. but is no t
limited to, planning commissions. librarv boards. recreation commissions,
and other permanent boards or commissions of a local agency.
549{2.6. As used in this chapter. "action taken" means a collective
decision made bv a majorin· of the members of a legislative body. a collective
commitment or promise by a majority of the members of a legislative bodv
to make a positive or a negative decision. or an actual vote bv a majority of the
mem bets ota legislative body when sitting as a body or en ti ty. upon a motion.
proposal. resolution. order or ordinance.
549~2. Z A legislative body of a local agency may require that a copy of this
chapter be given to each member of the legislative body. An elected
legislative bodv of a local agency may require that a copy of this chapter be
given to each member of each legislative body all or a majority of whose
members are appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative
~ody.
549.53. (a) All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be
open and public. and all persons shall be permitted ~o attend any meeting of
the legislative bodv of a local agency. except as otherwise provided in this
chapter.
(b) NoBvithstanding any other pro~sion of law, the legislative body of a
local agency may use video teleconferencing for the benefit of the public or
~he legislative body of a local agency in connection with any meeting or pro-
ceeding anthorized bv law. The use of~deo telecont~rencing, as authorized
by this chapter, shall be limited to the receipt of public comment or testimony
by the legislative body and to deliberations of the legislative body. If the
legislative body of a local agency elects to use ~4deo teleconferencing, it shah
post agendas of all video teleconference locations and adopt reasonable
regulations to adequately protect the sm:utoB' or constitutional righ~ of ~he
parties or the public appearing before the legislative body of a local agency.
The term "~deo teleconferencing" shall mean a system which provides for
both audio and visual participation be~,veen all members of the legislative
body and the public attending a meeting or hearing at any video teleconfer-
ence location,
This section shall remain in effect until,JanuaD' l, 1994, and on that date
is repealed. unless a later enacted statute, which is chaptered before January
l, 1994, deletes or extends that date.
.~49~. I. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibi t
the members of the legislative body of a local agency from giving testimony
in private before a grand 3ury, either as indi~iduals or as a body.
.~4953.3. A member of the public shall not be required. as a condition to
attendance at a meetin~ of a legislative body of a local agency, to register his
or her name. to provide other information, to complete a questionnaire, or
otherwise to tnlflll any condition precedent to his or her attendance.
re ular meetings of
a~gv~s~ory bodies
less than a quorum of
legislative body members
not/ce, posting
exception for advisory bodies
"legislative body":
permanent boards or
commissions"
"action taken"
co ies of the Act for
o~E;r members, bodies
all meetings must be
open and public
video teleconferencing
grand jury: private testimony
public cannot be
required to register
26
attenc~ance iists eft,
must state they are voluntary
public can tope record meetings
local agencies can impose stricter
requirements on themselves
regular meetings
set by ordinance or other rule
notice by districts to property owners
renewal of property owner rec~uest for
notice of meetings
reasonable charge for notice
re ular meeting agendas:
72 ~our notice and posting
(LALIFOILVL t (;O17T/~\'.l IIC.VT CODE
finn attendauce list. register. questionsmire. or other sip-:",r cl
or is circulated to the persons present during the meeting it. . s
that the signing registering. or completion of tile documeo t I~
that all persons may attend the meeting regardless otwhether a pc
registers. or colnpletes tile docnment.
54953.5. 3aw person attendlug an open and puhlic meetin~ ofi'
bodv of a local agency shall have the right to record the proceeding
recorder in the absence of a reasonable findine: of the tegZislative t
of the proceedings.
54953. 7. Nonvithstanding any o her provision of law legislativt
local agencies may impose requirements upon themselves which all
access to their meetings than prescribed by the minimal standards >
this chapter. In addition thereto, an elected legislative bodv of a 1o
may impose such requirements on those appointed legislative bol
local agency of which all or a majority of the members are appoil
ander the authority of the elected legislative body.
54954. The legislative bodv of a local agency shall provide. b~,
resolution, bylaws, or by whatever other rnle is required for the c
bt siness by that body the time tBr holding regular meetings. Unless
pro'tided for in the act under which the local agency was formed. m
the legislative bodv need not be held within the bonndaries of tht
over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction. If at any time al
meeting fails on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held
business day. If, by reason of fire. flood. earthquake or other eme
shall be unsafe to meet in the p ace designated. the meetings ' v b
the duration of the emergency at such place as is designatec~
officer of the legislative body.
54954.1. The legislative body of anv district which is suhje
provisions of this chapter shall gb'e mailed notice of every regular
and any special meeting which is called at least one week prior to th
for the meeting. to any owner of property located within the distrio
filed a written request for such notice with the legislative body. AI
notice required pursnant to this section shall be mailed at least one ~,
to the date set tBr the meeting to which it applies except that the 1
body may give such notice as it deems practical c fspecial meetings c
than seven days prior to the date set for the meeting.
Any request for notice filed pursuant to this section shall be vail,
year from the date on which it is filed unless a renewal request is filed.
requests for notice shall be filed within 90 days after January 1 of each'
request for notice, or renewal request. filed pursuant to this sect
contain a description of the propert?.' royned by the person filing the
Such description mas' be in general terms but shall be sufticieut el
readily identify such propera'.
The legislative body may establish a reasonable annual charge
such notice based on the estimated cost of providing such a sep, fice.
54954.2 ta) At least 79 hours before a regular meeting, the legislal
of the local agency. or its designee. shall post an agenda containin
general description ot each item of business to be transacted or disc
the meeting. The agenda shall speci~' the time and location of the
meeting and shall be posted in a location that is freely accessiblo to
ofthepublic. Noactionshallbetakenonanyitemnotappearin rh
agenda.
(b) Notwithstand ng subd fis on a) , the legislative bodv mav tak
on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under an
following conditions:
/ L ~,L/?'OR,YL4 GO ~, ?~'R,%:~, lENT
{ 1 I U port a dcterminauon by a maiori~' vote of the legislative body that
an emergency sitnation exists. as defined in Section 34956.3.
( 2~ Upon a determination by a n~'~thirds vote of the legislative bodv. or,
if less than n~o-thirds of the members are present. a unanimous vote nf those
tnembers present. that the need to take action arose subsequent to the
agenda being posted as specified in subdi~sion
( 3} The item xvas posted pursuant to snbdi~4sion {a) for a prior meeting
nf the legislative bodv occurring not more than five calendar days prior to the
date action is taken on the item. and at the prior meeting the item ~'as
continued to the meeting at which action is being taken.
54954.~ f a} Even' agenda for regular mee rings shall profide an opportu-
nity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on items
nf interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the
legislative body, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not
appearing on the agenda unless the action is othen~ise authorized by subdi-
fision ~b) of Section 54954.2. However, in the case of a meeting of a ci~'
council in a cin' or a board ofsupen4sors in a ciB, and coun ~', the agenda need
not profide an opportunin' fbr members of the public to address the conncil
~r board f)ll anx item that has already been cousidered by a committee.
composed exclusively of members of the council or board. at a public
meetlug wherein all interested members of the public x~ere afforded the
opportunity to address the committee on the item. unless the item has been
substantially cbanged since the cmnmittee heard the item, as determined bv
the council or board.
(b) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable regula-
tions to eusure that the intent ofsubdifision (a) is carried out, including, but
not limited to. regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for
public testimony on particular issues and for each indifidual speaker.
54955. Tbe legislative body of a local agency may adjourn any regular.
adjourned regular. special or adjourned special meeting to a time and place
specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn
from time to time. If all members are absent from any regular or adjourned
regular meeting the clerk or secrem~ of the legislative body may declare the
meeting adjourned to a stated time and place and he shall cause a written
notice of the adjournment to be given in the same manner as protided in
Section 54936 for special meetings, uuless such notice is waived as pro~4ded
fbr special meetings. A copy uf the order or notice of adjournment shall be
conspicuously posted on or near the door of the place where the regular.
adjourned regular. special or adjourned special meeting was held within 24
hours after the time of the adjournment. ~%~en a regular or adjourned
regular meeting is adjourned as prodded in this section. the resulting ad-
journed regular meeting is a regular meeting for all purposes. ~en an order
of adjournmen t of any meeting fails to state the hour at which the adjourned
meeting is to be held. it shall be held at the hour specified for regular
meedngs by ordinance, resolution. by law, or other rule.
54955.1..~y hearing being held. or noticed or ordered to be held, by a
legislative body of a local agency at any meeting may bv order or notice of
continuance be continned or recontinued to any subseqnent meeting of the
legislative body in the same manner and to the same extent set forth in
Section 54933 ?or the adjournment of meetings; pro~ded. that if the hearing
is continued to a time less than 24 hours after the time specified in the order
or notice of hearing, a copy of the order or notice of continuance of hearing
shall be posted immediately following the meeting at which the order or dec-
laratim~ of continuance was adopted or made.
54956. A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding
officer of the legislative body of a local agency. or by a majorin· of the
~nembers of the legislative bo8v. by delivering personalIv or bv mail written
notice to each mere bet of the legislative body and to each local newspaper of
27
exception i:
emergency situation
exception 3:
continued item
public's right to
address legislative body
exception: city items already
constdered at a public heartng
reasonable limits for testimony
adjourned meetings:
posting and notice
continued hearing:
posting and notice
special meeting notice and subject
notification of news media
28
emergency meetings
"emergency situation"
work stoppage
crippling disaster
news media notification
no emergency closed sessions
special meeting requirements apply
posting of actions
no fees except those
authorized in this chapter
closed session:
license applicant with criminal record
(LILIFORVIA GO!~R,\B/E.\T CODE
general circulation. radio or tele%~ision station reqnesting nonce ,,, x~rlr
The notice shall be delivered personalIv or bv mail and shall be
least 24 hours before the time of the meeting as specified in the n,
call and notice shall specify the time and place ol the special meeting ant
business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at
meetings by the legislative body. The written nodce may be dispensed wi~
to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes tiles ~itt-
clerk or secretan' of the legislative body a written waiver of notice. The w:
may be given bv telegram. The written notice max' also be dispensed ~i th
any member who is actually present at the meeung at the time it conve
Notice shall be required pursuant to this section regardless of whether
action is taken at the special meeting. The call and notice shall be poste
least 24 hours prior to the special meeting in a location that is freeh' accesy
to members of the public.
54956.5. In the case of an emergency situation involving matters u
which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or thre:l,
disruption of public facilities. a legislative body mav hold an era{
meeting without complyingwith either the 24-hour notice requiremenl
24-hour posting requirement of Section 54956 or both the notice and
requirement.
For purposes of this section. "emergency situation" means all', ot
following:
~'a) Work stoppage or other activity which severely impairs public
safety or both. as determined bv a majorit5· of the members oi the legisk~
body.
(b) Crippling disaster which severely impairs public health. s~fetx
both. as determined by a majori.ty of the members of the legisla6 '~o
However. each local newspaper of general circulation and rad~
vision station which has requested notice of special meetings pursuan
Section 54956 shall be notified by the presiding officer of the legislative
or designee thereof one hour prior to the emergency meeting by teleph
and all telephone numbers provided in the most recent request of s
newspaper or station for notification of special meetings shall be exhaus
In the event that telephone services are not functioning the notice reqc
ments of this section shall be deemed waived. and the legislative boci,
designee of the legislative body, shall notig' snch newspapers. radio statl,
or television stations uf the fact of the holding ot the emergency meeting.
purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after
meeting as possible.
Notwithstanding Section 54957. the legislative body shall not mee
closed session during a meeting called pursuant to this section.
All special meeting requirements. as prescribed in Section 54956 shal
applicable to a meeting called pursuant to this section. with the excepu,1
the 2~l-hour notice requirement.
The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section. a list of pe~
who the presiding officer of the legislative body. or designee of the legisla
body, notified or attempted to noti6,. a copy of the roll call vote.
actions taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 da~
public place as soon after the meeting as possible.
54956.6. No fees may be charged by the legislative body of a local age
for carrying out any provision of this chapter. except as specificalls' aut h ori,
by this chapter.
54956. Z Whenever a legislative body of a local agency determin~
is necessarv to discuss and determine whether an applicant for a license
license renewal. who has a criminal record. is snf~cientlv rehabilitated
obtain the license, the legislative body may hold a closed session with
~ LtL]lzOR,x,'IA (;0~ I'ZR,V,~,IENT CODE
applicant and the applicant's attorney. ifanv. tBr the purpose of holding the
discussion and making the determination. If the fegislative body determines,
as a result of the closed session, that the issuance or renewal of the license
shonid be denied, the applicant shall be offered the opportunity to withdraw
the application, If the applicantwithdraws the application. no record shall be
kept ot the discussions or decisions made at the closed session and all matters
relating' to the closed session shall be confidential. lfthe applicant does not
withdraw the application. the legislative body shall take action at the public
meeting during which the closed session is held or at its next public meeting
dem~ng the application for the license but all matters relating to the closed
session are confidential and shall not be disclosed without the consent of the
applicant. except in an action by an applicant who has been denied a license
challenging the denial of the license.
54956.8. Not,Mthstanding any other provision of this chapmr. a legisla-
tive body of a local agency may hold a closed session with its negotiator prior
to the purchase. sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the local
agency to give instructions to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of
payment tBr the purchase. sale. exchange, or lease.
However, prior to the closed session. the legislative body of the local
agency shall hold an open public session in which it identifies the real
property or real properties which the negotiations may concern and the
person or persons with whom its negotiator may negotiate.
For the purpose of this section, the negotiator may be a member of the
legislative body of the local agency.
For purposes of this section. "lease" includes renewal or renegotiation of
a lease.
Nothing in this section shall preclude a local agency from holding a
:losed session for discussions regarding eminent domain proceedings pur-
suant to Section 54956.9.
54956.9. Nothing iu this chapter shall be construed to prevent a legisla-
tive body of a local agency, based on advice of its legal counsel, from holding
a closed session to confer with, or receive advice fi~om. its legal counsel
regarding pending litigation when discussion in open session concerning
those matters would prejudice the position of the local agency in the
litigation.
For purposes of this chapter, all expression of the lawyer-client privilege
other than those provided in this section are hereby abrogated. This section
is the exclusive expression of the la~Ter-client privilege for purposes of con-
ducting closed-session meetings pursuant to this chapter. For purposes of
this section, litigation shall be considered pending when any of the following
circumstances exist:
(a) An adjudicatory proceeding before a court, administrative body ex-
ercising its adjndicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator, to which the
local agency is a party, has been initiated formally.
(b) ( 1 ) A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative
body of the local agency on the ad~ce of its legal counsel. based on existing
facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against
the local agency: or
(2) Based on existing facts and circumstances, the legislative body of the
local agency is meeting only to decide whether a closed session is authorized
pursnant to paragraph ( 1 ) of this subdivision.
(c) Based on existing ~icts and circumstances, the legislative body of the
,ocal agencv has decided to initiate or is deciding whether to initiate
Iitigation.
29
closed session:
real property
disclosure of real
property parcel, owner
closed session:
pending litigation
no meetings under general
lawyer-client privilege
"pending litlgation~':
adjudicatory procee ing
"~ending litigation/':
stgnificant exposure
closed session to
decide on a closed session
"pending litigation": decision to litigate
30
disclosure of type
of pending litigation
memo by body's attorney
closed session: public security
closed session:
evaluate or hire public employee
closed session: national security
disclosure of hiring or firing
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE
Prior to holding a closed session pursuant to this secti, h e
body of the local agency shall state publicly to which subdivi~ s
If the session is closed pursuant to subdivision (a) , the body sha. sta
of or otherwise specifically identify the litigation to be discussed.
body states that m do so would jeopardize the agency's ability to
service of process upon one or more unserved parties, or that to d~
jeopardize its ability to conclude existing settlement negotiati
advantage.
The legal counsel of the legislative body of the local agency sha
and submit to the body a memorandum stating the specific reason,*
authority for the closed session. If the closed session is pursuant to r
(a) , the memorandum shall include the title of the litigation.
session is pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) , the memorandum sn,
the existing facts and circumstances on which it is based. The leg;
shall submit the memorandum to the body prior m the closed
feasible, and in any case no lamr than one week after the closed ses
memorandum shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to Sectic
For purposes of this section, "litigation" includes any adjudic:
ceeding, including eminent domain, before a court, administra
exercising its adjudicatory authority, hearing officer or arbitrator.
54957. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed t
the legislative body of a local agency from holding closed session:
Attorney General, district attorney, sheriff, or chief of police.
respective deputies, on matters posing a threat to the security
buildings or a threat to the public's right of access to public services
facilities, or from holding closed sessions during a regular or specia
to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of
dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or,
against such employee by another person or employee unless suca
requests a public hearing. The legislative body also may exclude
such public or closed meeting, during the examination ofa wimess,
other wimesses in the matter being investigated by the legislative l
For the purposes of this section, the term "employee" shall no
any person elected to office, or appointed m an office by the legisis
of a local agency; provided, however, that nonelective positior.
manager, county administrator. city attorney, county counsel, or
merit head or other similar administrative officer of a local agenc~
considered employee positions: and provided, further that nonelec
lions of general manager, chief engineer, legal counsel, district s
auditor, assessor, treasurer, or tax collector of any governmental dis
plying services within limited boundaries shall be deemed emplo
tions.
Nothing in this chapter s hall be construed to prevent any board,
sion, committee, or other body organized and operated by any privat
zation as defined in Section 54952 from holding closed sessions to
(a) matters affecting the national security, or (b) the appointment,
merit, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee or
complaints or charges brought against such employee by another p
employee unless such employee requests a public hearing. Such b
may exclude from any such public or closed meeting, during the exar,
of a witness, any or all other witnesses in the matter being investigat~
legislative body.
54957.1. The legislative body of any local agency shall p~ '- r
the public meeting during which the closed session is held or a~ :
meeting any action taken, and any roll call vote thereon, to appmn t,
or dismiss a public employee arising out of any closed session of the le
body.
CAL~ORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE
5495Z2. (a) The legislative body of a local agency may, by ordinance or
resolution, designate a clerk or other oi~cer or employee of the local agency
who shall then attend each closed session of the legislative body and keep and
enter in a minute book a record of topics discussed and decisions made at the
meeting. The minute book made pursuant to this section is not a public
record subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act
(Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1), and
shall be kept confidential. The minute book shall be amiable only to
members of the legislative body or, if a violation of this chapter is alleged to
have occurred at a closed session, to a court of general jurisdiction wherein
the local agency lies. Such minute book may, but need not, consist of a
recording of the closed session.
(b) An elected legislative body of a local agency may require that each
legislative body all or a majority of whose members are appoin ted by or under
the authority of the elected legislative body keep a minute book as prescribed
under subdivision (a).
5495Z5. (a) No twithstm~ding Section 6255 or any other provisions of law,
agendas of public meetings and other writings, when distributed to all, or a
majority of all, of the members of a legislative body of a local agency by a
member. officer, employee, or agent of such body for discussion or considera-
tion at a public meeting of such body, are public records under the California
Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Divi-
sion 7 of Title 1 ) as soon as distributed, and shall be made available pursuant
to Sections 6253 and 6256. However, this section shall not include anywriting
exempt from public disclosure under Section 6253.5, 6254, or 6254.7.
(b) Writings which are public records under subdivision (a) and which
are distributed prior to commencement of a public meeting shall be made
available for public inspection upon request prior to commencement of such
meeting.
(c) Writings which are public records under subdivision (a) and which
are distributed during a public meeting and prior to commencemen t of their
discussion at such meeting shall be made available for public inspection prior
to commencement of, and during, their discussion at such meeting.
(d) Writings which are public records under subdivision (a) and which
are distributed during their discussion at a public meeting shall be made
available for public inspection immediately or as soon thereafter as is practi-
cable.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the legislative
body of a local agency from charging a fee or deposit for a copy of a public
record pursuant to Section 6257. The writings described in subdivisions (b) ,
(c) and (d) are subject to the requirements of the California Public Records
Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Tide 1 )
and subdivisions (b), (c) and (d) shall not be construed to exempt from
public inspection any record covered by that act, or to limit the public's right
to inspect any record required to be disclosed by that act. This section shall
not be construed to be applicable to any writings solely because they are
properly discussed in a closed session of a legislative body of the local agency.
Nothing in th is chapter shall be construed to require a legislative body or [sic ]
a local agency to place any paid advertisement or any other paid notice in any
publication.
(D "Writing" for purposes of this section means "writing" as defined
under Section 6252.
54~5Z6. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a legislative
:~ody of a local agency may hold closed sessions with the local agency's
designated representatives regarding the salaries, salary schedules, compen-
sation paid in the form of fringe benefits of its represented and unrepre-
sented employees. Closed sessions of a legislative body of a local agency, as
31
minute book
agendas, ether writings,
are public records
writings distributed before
sting are available on request
wHtlngs distributed before
discussion are to be
available before discussion begins
writings distributed
during discussion to e made
available immediatelb)'
fee or deposit for
copying a public record
"writing" defined
closed session:
labor negotiations;
salary and fringe benefits
32
closed session with state conciliator
closed session on other
working conditions
disclosure of general
reason for a closed session
closed session: multijurisdictional
drug law enforcement agency
removal for willful disruption
CALI~OPuVIA GOVERNxX4E~VT CODE
permitted in this section. shall be for the purpose of reviewing ~t~ ,~os~
instructing the local agency's designated representatives. Clc --s
permitted in this section, may take place prior to and during
and discussions with representatives of employee organizations and
sented employees.
For the purposes enumerated in this section, a legislative body c
agency may also meet with a state conciliator who has intep:ene~
proceedings.
(b) In addition to the closed sessions authorized by subdi~,~sion
legislative body, as defined by Sections 54952.54952.2, 54952.3, and
of a public agency, as defined by subdivision (c) of Section 3501. m
closed sessions with its designated representatives on mandatory
within the scope of representation of its represented employees, a
mined pursuant to Section 3504.
54957. Z Prior to or after holding any closed session. the Iegislati
of the local agency shall state the general reason or reasons for the
session, and may cite the statutory, authority,, including the specific
and subdivision, or other legal authority, under which the session
held. In the closed session, the legislative body may consider oni
matters covered in its statement. In the case of special. adjourne
continued meetings, the statement shall be made as part of the
provided for the special, adjourned. or continued meeting. Nothing
section shall require or authorize the giving of names or other infor
which would constitute an invasion of privacy or otherwise unnec
divulge the particular facts concerning the closed session.
5495Z8. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construe_d to t
the legislative body of a multijurisdictional drug law enforcem
an advisory body of a multijurisdictional drug law enforcemen,
ment agency, from holding closed sessions to discuss the case record~
ongoing criminal investigation of the multijurisdictional drug law e
ment agency or of any party to the joint powers agreement, to hear tes'
from persons involved in the investigation, and to discuss courses ofac
particular cases.
'Multijurisdictional drug law enforcement agency." for purposes
section. means a joint powers entity formed pursuant to Article I (co~r
ing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1, which
drug law enforcement services for the parties to the joint powers agree
The Legislature finds and declares that this section is within the
interest, in that its provisions are necessary to prevent the impairm
ongoing law enforcement investigations. to protect witnesses and inforl
and to permit the discussion of effective courses of action in particular
54957.9. In the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a
or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such m~
unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals w
willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative bod
ducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and contiI
session. Only matters appearing on the agenda may be considered in
session. Representatives of the press or other news media. except
participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any sessioI
pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legi~
body from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or ind
sis not responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the me
54958. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the legisl
every local agency notwithstanding the conflicting provisions o, ,y
state law.
CALIFORNIA GOVEPuVMENT CODE
54959. Each member of a iegislative body who attends a meeting of such
legislative body where action is taken in violation of any provision of this
~pter, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting is in violation thereof,
,. guilty of a misdemeanor.
54960. Any interested person may commence an action by mandamus,
injunction or declarato~ relief for the purpose of stopping or preventing vio-
lations or threatened violations of this chapter by members of the legislative
body of a local agency or to determine the applicability, of this chapter to
actions or threatened future action of the legislative body.
549~0.1. (a) Any interested person may commence an action by manda-
mus or injunction for the purpose of obtaining a judicial determination that
an action taken by a legislative body of a local agency in violation of Section
54953, 54954.2or 54956 is null and void under this section. Nothing in this
chapter shall be construed to prevent a legislative body from curing or cor-
recting an action challenged pursuant to this section,
(b) Prior to any action being commenced pursuant to subdivision (a) ,
the interested person shall make a demand of the legislative body to cure or
correct the action alleged to have been taken in violation of Section 54953,
54954.2 or 54956. The demand shall be in writing and clearly describe the
challenged action of the legislative body and nature of the alleged violation.
The written demand shall be made within 30 days from the date the action
was taken. Within 30 days of receipt of the demand, the legislative body shall
cure or correct the challenged action and inform the demanding party in
writing of its actions to cure or correct or inform the demanding party in
writing of i~s decision not to cure or correct the challenged action. If the
legislative body takes no action with the 30 day period, the inaction shall be
deemed a decision not to cure or correct the challenged action, and the 15
day period to commence the action described in subdivision (a) shall
xamence to run the day after the 30 day period to cure or correct expires.
.,~thin 15 days of receipt of the written notice of the legislative body's
decision to cure or correct, the expiration of the 30 day period to cure or
correct, or not to cure or correct, within 15 days afar within 75 days from the
date the challenged action was taken, whichever is earlier, the demanding
party shall be required to commence the action pursuant to subdivision (a)
or thereafter be barred from commencing the action.
(c) An action taken shall not be determined to be null and void if any of
the following conditions exist:
( 1 ) The action taken was in substantial compliance with Sections 54953,
54954.2 and 54956.
(2) The action taken was in connection with the sale or issuance of notes,
bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or any contract, instrument or
agreement thereto.
(3) The action taken gave rise to a contractual obligation, including a
contract let by competitive bid, upon which a party has, in good faith, detri-
mentally relied.
(4) The action taken was in connection with the collection of any tax.
(d) During any action seeking a judicial determination pursuant to sub-
division (a) if the court determines, pursuant to a showing by the legislative
body that an action alleged to have been taken in violation of Section 54953,
54954.2 or 54956 has been cured or corrected by a subsequent action of the
legislative body, the action filed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be dismissed
with prejudice.
(e) The fact that a legislative body takes a subsequent action to cure or
~.orrect an action taken pursuant to this section shall not be construed or
admissible as evidence of a violation of this chapter.
33
misdemeanor violation
civil action to prevent
or stop violations
civil action to invalidate an action
demand to cure and correct
action to cure or correct
exception 1:
substantial compliance
exception 3:
contractual obligation
exception 4: tax collection
dismissal with prejudice if an
action has been cured and corrected
action to cure and correct
is nat evidence of violation
34
attorney fees far plaintiff
attorney fees for defendant
no activity permitted in a
facility that discriminates
closed sessions must be
expressly authorized
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE
54960.5. A court may award court costs and reasonable attor'*~v f~
theplaintiffinanactionbroughtpursuanttoSection54960or5~
itisfound thata legislative bodyoftbe local agency, hasviolated the,
of this chapter. The costs and fees shall be paid by the local agency and
not become a personal liability, of any public officer or employee of the
agency.
A court may award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to a d
dant in any action brought pursuant to Section 54960 or 54960.1 whet
defendant has prevailed in a final determination of such action and the I
finds that the action was clearly frivolous and totally lacking in merit.
54961. No local agency, shall conduct any meeting, conference, or c
function in any faciliW that prohibits the admittance of any persol
persons, on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, anc~
or sex. This section shall apply to even,, local agency as defined in Sel
54951, 54951.1, or 54951.7.
5496~'. Except as expressly authorized by this chapter, no closed se:
may be held by any legislative body of any local agency.
.ion taken 14, 21.25, 28, 30, 33, 34
ad hoc advisory, groups 7
adjourned meeting 9, 27
adjudicatory 17, 29, 30
advice 17, 29
advisors 5
advisory 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 10, 19, 24, 25, 32
agenda 1.3, 6, 9.14, 21-23, 25-27, 31, 32
air pollution 5
airport 4
Alameda County, 7
ancestry, 13, 34
arbitrator 19, 29, 30
attendance list 13, 25
attorney fees 34
Attorney General 1-4, 6-8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19,
20, 30
attorney/client privilege 15, 16
attorneys fees 22
Bagley-Keene Act 1
bargaining 18, 19
blue ribbon 7
Board of Education 7, 8
bonds 22, 33
boundary 2, 4, 9, 26, 30
budget 6, 16
bylaws 9, 10, 25, 26
~lifornia Newspaper Publishers Association 4
dxdidate 2, 5, 6, 16
central committees 5
Chamberof Commerce 7
charge 10, 26
citizen 2, 4, 7, 12, 22
civil action 21, 22, 33
closed meeting 2, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 30
closed session 10.15-20, 28-32, 34
coliseum 7
color 13.34
commission 1, 5, 6, 10, 15, 24, 25, 30
committee 2, 5-7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 23-25, 27, 30
communication 1
competitive bid 22, 33
confusion 2
consultants 15
continued heating 9, 27
contract 11, 18, 22, 33
contractual obligation 22, 33
controversial 4, 6, 15
controversy 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 15, 16.23
correspondence 11
council 3, 5-7, 11, 13, 20, 27
court 1-3, 5, 7, 10, 8, 12, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 29-31,
33, 34
criminal 2, 19, 21, 28, 32
~riminal complaints 21
iminal record 19, 28
~ure or correct 21, 33,
daisy<hain 3
defendant 22.34
delegated authority, 6, 7, 24
delegating 1, 24
deposit 13, 31
determination 12, 27, 29, 33, 34
directors 4, 5, 7, 24
disaster 10, 28
disciplinary hearino 5
district4-8, 8, 10-12, 15, 13-21, 24, 26, 30
district attorney 19, 21, 30
disturbance 13, 32
drug 19, 32
Earl Warren 1
emergency 9-11.26-28
emergency meeting 10, 11, 28
emergency situation 10, 11, 27, 28
eminent domain 3, 17, 29, 30
employee 2, 5, 15, 16, 18, 19, 30-32, 34
exception 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15-19, 25, 27,
28,33
factfinder 19
fee 13, 22. 28, 31, 34
fiduciary 15
finance committee 6
formal action 5, 7, 24
fringe benefits 18, 31
funds 5, 7, 24
gathering 1, 3, 4
general law 4, 5, 9, 24
governing body 6, 25
grand jury 19, 25
guardian 19
hearing 3, 5, 9, 13, 15, 19, 25, 27. 29-31
hospital 7, 8, 19, 20
housing authority 5
hub-and-spoke 3
indebtedness 22. 33
independent contractors 15, 16
informal 3, 4, 22
intent 1, 11, 13,24.27
invalidate 1, 11, 21, 33
invalidation 12, 16, 18, 21, 22
xrrigation district 4, 6
job applicant 6, 16
Joint powers 7, 19, 32
judges 5
judiciary 1, 5
urisdicdon 4, 13, 16, 26, 27, 31
Kiwanis 4
labor 15, 18, 31
law enforcement agency 19, 32
lawyer-client privilege 29
League of California Cities 1, 4, 11, 16, 22
lease 17, 29
legal counsel 1, 15-17, 29, 30
legislation 1, 16
legislature 1, 5, 17, 24, 32
less than a quorum 2, 5, 6, 9, 25, 27
library boards 5, 25
lobbyist 3
luncheon 4
mail ballots 13
Marin 7, 8
mayor 7. 16
mediator 18
memorandum 17. 30
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act 18
Mike Harris 1
minute book 15, 31
misdemeanor 21, 22, 33
muhi-member 2, 5
multijurisdictional drug law enforcement agency
19, 32
multimember 24
national origin 13.34
national security 19, 30
negotiation 15, 17-19, 29-31
negotiator 17, 18, 29
news media 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15-17, 22, 27, 28.32
newspaper 2-4, 9, 16, 27, 28
non-agenda item 1 I, 23
nonprofit corporation 7, 24
notes 22, 33
notice 1, 3, 4. 6, 9-11.15.18, 21.24-28. 31-33
official capacity 5.7, 24
ordinance 9, 14, 24-27, 31
Palm Springs 8
parent 19
parole 5
pending litigation 10, 15-18. 29, 30
permanent board 5, 25
personnel 11, 15, 16, 18
plaintiff 22.34
planning agencies 5
planning commission 5, 6, 25
police commissioners 15
political subdivision 24
private 2, 5, 17, 19, 24, 25, 30
property 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 26, 29
public comment 3, B, 13.14. 23. 25
public funds 7
public health 10, 28
public notice 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 21
public record 13. 19, 31
public security 30
public testimonv 22. 27
public work project 7.24
quasi-judicial 5
questionnaire 13, 25
quorum 1-6, 9, 25, 27
race 13, 34
Ralph M. Brown 1, 24
reactive discussion 14
real estate 15, 17, 18
real property 17, 18, 29
recreation boards 5
redevelopment agency 3, 4
register 13, 25
regular meeting 9-11, 15, 25-27
religious creed 13, 34
report 6, 11, 19, 23, 30
reporter t, 3, 4. 6, 16, 23
request 10, 13. 19, 26, 28, 31
retreats 4
Richard (Bud) Carpenter 1
right 1.3. 13, 16. 17. 19.24-27, 30.31
rights 9. 3, 21
RoddaAct 18. I9
Rotary, 4
rotating 3
rule 2.9, 21, .05-27
salary, 15, 16, 18, 31
school 4. 5.7, 11, 12. 16. 18, 19, 24
secret votes 13
security 19, 30
semi-closed 13
serial 3, 21
seriatim 3
service of process 17.30
session 1.10, 15-20. 28-32, 34
settlement 17, 18, 30
sex 1.5, 34
single decision-maker 7
social events 4
sovereignty l, 24
special district l0
special meeting 9-I l, 21, 26-28. 30
staff2, 3, 5, 12, 14, 15, 18
state agency, 1, 2
student 19
subquorum 6, 7
substantial compliance 21, 33
superintendent 7. 16
Superior Court 5
Supreme Court 2, 8
surprise items 12
tape recorder 1B, 26
task force 7
teleconference 25
telephone 3, I0, 28
testimony 3, 19, 22. 25.27.32
trade secrets 8. 19
unitary body 6
vacant position 6
video 3, 25
violate 24, 21, 22
violation 2-4, 6, 14, 15, 21, 2, 31, 33, 34
work stoppage 10, 28
writing9, 10, 13,25,28,31,33
zoning 5
THE CITY OF TEMECUI, A, CALIFORNIA
HANDBOOK FOR
BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND
COMMISSIONS
1989
THE COMMISSIONER'S ROLE AND AUTHORITY
City Committees, Commissions and Boards have a primary role - to encourage increased public
input and citizen participation in the determination of City policies and procedures.
City Committees/Commissions/Boards are not involved in the administration or operation of
City departments. Committee/Commission/Board members may not direct administrative staff
to initiate programs, conduct major studies, or establish official policy without the approval
of the City Council. However, City staff members are available to provide general staff
assistance to Committees/Commissions/Boards.
Despite Committees, Commissions, and Boards differing tasks, all share some basic
responsibilities. Members need to stay informed on subjects of interest to their specific
Committee/Commission/Board. The City Council of the City of Temecula encourages and
provides opportunities for continuing education to assist the members of City Commissions
in the conduct of their duties. Conscientious attendance is also a fundamental responsibility,
as irregular attendance lessens one's ability to study all aspects of items under consideration.
2
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CITIZEN MEMBERS
It is not appropriate for individual members to present their personal views or
recommendations as representing the Committee/Commission/Board unless such body has
voted to approve such action. Members expressing views not approved by the majority of
a Committee should indicate their opinions are viewed as "private citizens." Individual
opinions must be identified as such.
Public statements should not include promises that may be construed to be binding on the
Committee, City Council or City staff. When making a public statement, members should
indicate that Committee actions are recommendations and that final action will be taken by
the City Council.
Committee member may be selected on the basis of representing defined groups; however,
each member should represent the overall "public good" and not an exclusive group or special
interest.
GUIDELINES FOR CITIZEN MEMBERS
Work to establish a good relationship with other committee members. The
success or failure of committee efforts may be dependent upon the degree of
cooperation evident among the individual members of the body.
Each member should keep in mind these important points:
* Show respect for another's viewpoint.
* Allow others adequate time to fully present their views before making
comments.
* Be open and honest.
* Make new members welcome and help them become acquainted with
their duties.
* Strive to minimize political action among members.
I. ROLE, AUTHORITY AND STAFFING OF COMMISSIONS
The City Council is empowered to establish commissions and to appoint members to
assist the Council in the conduct of City business. Members usually represent a cross-
section of the community and are prohibited from being a salaried employee of the
City.
The primary role of any City Commission is to review and make recommendations to
the City Council on matters within their scope of responsibility and to promote
increased public input and citizen participation in the determination of City policies and
program implementation.
The specific role of City Commissions is basically to serve as a citizens' advisory arm
of the City Council, focusing attention on specific program areas of the City. The City
Council may authorize certain "commissions" to take final actions in prescribed areas,
for example the Planning Commission is authorized to grant final approval of certain
projects and is required to provide a recommendation to the City Council on other
projects. In addition, staff may bring various projects to a commission for their review
before taking that matter to the City Council for final approval. On specific matters
referred to it by the City Council; boards, committees and commissions serve a
principal reviewing body of the City. All decisions, however. are subject to call uo and
review bv the City Council.
Commissioners should represent the general interest of the City as a whole and not
specific program areas and their special interest groups.
ADoointments and Removals
Chapter 2.06 of the Temecula Municipal Code, Commissions -- General Provisions~
provides that appointments are by a four-fifths (4/5ths) majority of the City Council
and removal of an appointee is by a majority vote of the City Council.
Rules of Procedure/By-Laws
Rules of procedure or by-laws for the proper conduct of business should be adopted.
Organization and Officers
As set forth in the by-laws, there shall be an annual election of a chairperson and vice-
chairperson. The position of chairperson and vice-chairperson should be rotated among
members on an annual basis.
The Chairperson
The Chairperson is the key to the entire group process. The Chairperson must balance
being strong enough to make certain the meeting is conducted in an orderly fashion
~ Temecula Municipal Code (Ordinance No. 90-02)
and democratic enough to use the power and authority of the position wisely. The
Chairperson's ability to handle meetings will have a significant impact on morale,
operation and effectiveness.
The Chairperson must make sure that discussions do not get side-tracked on minor
issues and must have the ability to see the "whole picture".
The most important duty of the Chairperson lies in his/her ability to find a common
ground and achieve workable compromises if appropriate.
Last, but far from least, the Chairperson must be able to represent the entire group to
the City Council and community groups.
Minutes
It shall be the responsibility of the board/committee/commission staff support to record
and maintain minutes for all meetings. The Council has provided that these minutes
shall be "action minutes" and not "verbatim" which briefly describe the issues and
actions taken2. Minority opinions of members may also be recorded in the minutes if
desired. Comments by all members on every agenda item cannot practicably be
included in the minutes. Also, members abstaining for legal conflict of interest
requirements are required to state their reason for recordation in the minutes. Minutes
must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office and the City Council; they also become
a part of the City's official records in the office of the City Clerk.
Development and Review of Commission Goals and Deoartment Policies
The City of Temecula prepares and operates on an annual budget cycle. Boards,
committees and commissions 8r6 encouraged to annually review and comment on
department programs and capital projects that may be related to their scope of
interest. This evaluation is intended to focus attention on the overall program and
service priorities and commission objectives; and is not intended to be an evaluation
of the administration or operation of City Departments.
The City Council will conduct at least one joint meeting with each commission annually
to review commission goals and work programs, and review the past year's activities.
The City Council also reviews the commission's work program to ensure it's consistent
and responsive to the Council's goals and objectives.
Involvement in Administrative Matters
Commissions should not become involved in the administrative or operational matters
of City departments unless specifically provided in the prescribed powers and duties.
Members may not direct staff to initiate major programs, conduct large studies or
2 Policy and Procedure CCL-006
5
establish department policy without approval of the City Council. City staff assigned
to furnish staff services shall be available to provide general staff assistance, such as
preparation of agenda materials, general review of department programs and activities,
to perform limited studies, program reviews and other services of a general staff
nature. Commissions may not establish department work programs or determine
department program priorities unless specifically authorized in their prescribed powers
and duties. The responsibility for setting policy and allocating City resources rests
properly with the City's duly elected representatives, the City Council, and cannot be
delegated to an outside group, however capable and interested it might be.
Communication with the City Council
To avoid possible compromising situations, the invitation to individual commission
members to address the Council on matters relating to their official capacity rests
solely with the City Council. It should be emphasized, additionally, that when a
member is present at a Council meeting and is asked to address the Council on a
matter, the member should represent the viewpoint of the commission as a whole (not
a personal opinion), unless a proper qualification is made.
Workina with Other Members
Members should make every effort to uphold their reputation for honesty, fairness and
openness with the citizens of the community. Each group will undoubtedly consist of
diverse personalities; it is important that we work together to accomplish common
goals.
Working with Staff
Commission members are individually appointed by the City Council. City staff
assigned to work with the groups report to the City Manager, who in turn, reports to
the City Council. Each group usually is aided by a department director or administrator
who provides staff support.
If a commissioner wishes to initiate a project which requires staff development, it is
necessary that it be placed on the commission agenda for discussion and a
recommendation to the City Council that the project be authorized. Only after City
Council authorization may staff begin preparing the necessary reports and studies.
Staff support also means facilitating operations. Staff is aware of their responsibilities,
and the members should be aware of the time involved on the part of staff in preparing
studies and reports requested.
If friction develops, individuals should make every attempt to clarify differences and
make certain that clear communication is taking place. The public meeting should not
be used to express anger or disagreement. If differences cannot be resolved by this
method, the Councilmember serving as Commission Liaison and/or City Manager
should then be consulted in an effort to resolve the matter.
Staff Reoorts to Council on Commission Actions
There will be occasions when City staff will be required to prepare an agenda report
on either a commission action or appeal for City Council review. In preparation of such
a report the staff member should present both the staff position and the commission's
position. The position of members not voting in the majority on an item should also
be presented in the staff report if so indicated by the member.
It is the desire of the City Council to have an opportunity to hear and consider all sides
of an issue and alternative recommendations to assist in their decision-making process.
Procedure for Handline Public or Aooeal Hearinas
In some instances, commissions will have to conduct a public hearing, either on a
major issue of concern to the community or on a permit application or appeal of a staff
decision. It is recommended that the procedure established by the City Attorney3 be
followed at all times during the conduct of this kind of hearing.
Leoal Assistance
Some commissions require the presence of a City Attorney. When there is doubt
concerning the legality of an issue, the Attorney should advise members as to the
legality of the proposed action.
Great care must be taken in the maintenance of records of the proceedings when
litigation is a possibility. The direction of the City Attorney should be followed closely.
Remember the adage, "Discretion is the better part of valor", and when in doubt about
the legality of a procedure, wait until the legal opinion is rendered. If necessary, a
hearing may have to be continued until matters can be clarified. Counsel must very
often control the circumstances surrounding a particular matter since he/she may be
required to defend the action in court.
Council Review of Action
Most actions and recommendations of commissions may be appealed to the City
Council for review and approval. Certain actions are final with the Commission with
no right of appeal.
City
Public Appearance of Members
When a commission member appears in a non-official, non-representative capacity
before any public or private body, the member shall not identify or disclose his/her
Attorney's Opinion No. sff/INS13308
7
membership on a commission. If a question of membership arises, the member shall
indicate that he/she is appealing and speaking only as an individual. If a commission
member appears as the representative of the applicant or a member of the public, the
Political Reform Act governs this appearance. The City Attorney should be consulted.
Members should take notice that the Brown Act makes punishable as a misdemeanor,
the attendance by a member at a meeting at which action is taken in violation of the
Brown Act. "Action taken" is defined to mean a collective decision, commitment or
promise by a majority of the members of such a body when setting as a body, upon
a motion, proposal, resolution, order or ordinance. Further, the Brown Act provides
that the City can be enjoined by the courts from violating the Brown Act. (See Section
XII Ralph M. Brown Act).
Commission Members Runnine for Elective Office
Members of the City's commissions shall be permitted to retain membership on such
appointive bodies while seeking any elective office. Members of appointive bodies
shall not, however, use the meetings, functions or activities of such bodies for
purposes of campaigning for elective office.
Commission Positions on Ballot Prooosals and Legislation
Commissions may review and make recommendations to the City Council on ballot
proposals and legislation. The City Council shall review all such recommendations.
Commission member shall only represent the majority position of the City Council on
such matters unless speaking as an individual or indicating a minority opinion.
8
Bibliography
Chapter 2.06 - Municipal Code Commissions -- General Provisions
Procedure CCL-006 - City of Temecula - Preparation of Minutes
City Attorney's Opinion No. sff/INS13308 - Public Hearine Process &
Procedures
sff/ORDl1001(010390-7)
Sections:
Chapter 2.06
COMMISSIONS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS
06.010
06.020
06.030
06.040
06.050
06.060
.06.070
.06.080
.06.090
.06.100
Commissions established.
Number of members.
Qualifications.
Applications.
Appointment.
Term.
Vacancies.
Meetings/Quorum.
Absence from meetings.
Compensation.
2.06.010 Commissions established. There shall
be established within the City a Planning Commission. The
City Council may establish by ordinance or resolution such
other commissions as it deems necessary.
2.06.020 Number of members. Unless otherwise
specifically provided, each commission shall consist of five
(5) members.
2.06.030 0ualifications. Unless otherwise
specifically provided by law, or by ordinance or resolution
of the City Council, all members of commissions of the City
shall, at all times during their incumbencies, be bona fide
residents and registered voters of the City. No member of
any commission shall be a City employee, nor shall any
person be a member of more than one commission at any one
time. No person shall be eligible for appointment as a
commission member for more than two full consecutive terms
(six (6) years).
2.06.040 ADDlications. The City Clerk shall
maintain all applications submitted to the City for
commission positions for a period of two (2) years.
2.06.050 Members: ADDointment and Removal.
Members of each commission shall be nominated by an Ad Hoc
Committee of two Councilmembers subject to the approval of a
four-fifths (4/5ths) majority of the City Council. A
majority of the Council may remove an appointee for good
cause. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of each
commission shall be selected by a majority of the membership
of that commission.
-21-
sff/0RDl1001(010390-7)
2.06.060 Term. The term of each commission
member shall be three (3) years with staggered terms.
Initially, all five members may be selected at once. In
order to achieve staggered terms, one member shall be
appointed for a term of three (3) years; two for terms of
two (2) years; and two for terms of one (1) year, said terms
to be determined by drawing lot. At the completion of any
term, a commission member may be reappointed pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section 2.06.050.
2.06.070 Vacancies. If vacancies in any
commission occur, other than by expiration of term, such
vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired
portion of the term.
2.06.080 Meetinas/Ouorum. The City Council
shall establish meeting schedules for each commission by
resolution. A quorum of three shall be required for the
transaction of any business.
2.06.090 Absence from meetings. Should any
commission member be absent from any three consecutive
meetings of the commission, without excuse acceptable to the
City Council, that member shall vacate his or her seat on
the commission. The vacancy shall be filled in the same
manner as any other vacancy.
2.06.100 Compensation. Unless otherwise
required by law, commission members shall receive no
compensation.
-22-
Pro. # 006
Date Revised 1/28/91
Dept. City Clerk
CITY OF TEMECULA
Policies and Procedures
Preparation of the Minutes
City Clerks in general law cities are specifically required to keep a record, journal of
proceedings or minutes of City Council and City Commissions meetings (G.C. 36814 and
40801). The form in which this record is to be maintained is not spelled out in the Government
Code, therefore, the City Council of the City of Temecula has approved the following policy.
Purpose of Council Minutes
Keeping a good record of City Council and City Commissions proceedings is very important.
A sufficient record must be kept to furnish evidence that the City Council and City Commissions
have complied with the law or rules by which they are governed, thus pointing to the need for
accurate and clear proceedings. The facts contained in the minutes are also treated as evidence
in a court of law.
Form and Content of Council Meeting Minutes
1. Standard Format
Use of a standardized format is needed to develop uniformity of minute entries
and to save time in composing the record. The minutes will be drafted on word
processing equipment to increase the efficiency of preparation.
Jurisdictional Matters
To establish proof that jurisdictional requirements have been complied with, it is
important that minutes contain the following:
Date, hour and place of meeting.
Whether it is a regular, adjourned regular, or special meeting.
That proper notice has been given it is a special meeting.
The names of councilmembers/commissioners in attendance. If a
councilmember/commissioner arrives late or departs before adjournment,
the minutes should reflect the time of arrival and/or departure at that point
in the minutes.
Policies and Procedures
City Clerk Pro. ~X)6
1/8/91
Approval of Previous Minutes
Although there is no legal requirement that minutes be approved by the
Council/Commission, the City of Temecula will place them on the agenda for
approval, since it lends further weight to the accuracy and completeness of the
record. Copies of the minutes will be provided to Councilmembers/
Commissioners in sufficient time prior to a City Council meeting to allow review.
When approved as written, or as amended by the City Council or City
Commission, the minutes are then official record.
Record of Action Taken
The City of Temecula requires "Action Only" minutes, where very little narrative
is included, and only motions and votes are shown in the record.
In adoption of a resolution or introduction or second reading (adoption) of an
ordinance, the minutes shall include the title of the resolution or ordinance. If
the ordinance is not going to be read in full, the motion shall include, and the
minutes reflect that full reading was waived by unanimous vote of the members
present. When the full reading is waived, but there is a split decision on
introduction or adoption, the minutes shall show the separate actions and vote on
each.
Since any written record is the best evidence of its contents, a written report or
written communication presented at a City Council and City Commission meeting
need only be referenced in the minutes with the name and title of the author, date
of the report or communication, subject of the communication or title of report,
and the action taken on the matter.
Oral reports or communications will be referenced in the minutes by name of
person, address, the subject matter and any disposition made by the Council.
Oral Debates, Arguments and Discussions
The City Clerk/Minute Clerk will, as a matter of course, make no reference in
the minutes regarding Councilmember's/Commissioner's remarks, except where
a Councilmember/Commissioner specifically requests that his/her remarks be
included in the minutes or when those remarks make reference to reasons for
voting for or against a motion.
Policies and Procedures
City Clerk Pro. #006
1/8/91
6. Hearings
Minutes of City Council and City Commission meetings with respect to
hearings shall include:
1) Jurisdictional facts
In order that there be sufficient proof that a hearing was held in
compliance with the statue or ordinance governing same, the
minutes shall record the fact that required notice was given in
accordance therewith, and that the hearing was held at the time
and place specified in the notice.
2) Evidence produced at hearings
Written Evidence. Minutes shall make appropriate reference to any
written evidence in the form of statements, affidavits, reports,
photographs, maps, correspondence, or other objects filed at the
hearing, and included as part of the record.
Oral Testimony. The record shall show the name of the person
speaking, his or her address, and whether testimony was for or
against the hearing subject. The City Clerk will briefly refer to
the content of the testimony in the minutes.
Findings of Council/Commission. Usually the findings made by City
Council and City Commissions in respect to public hearings are
incorporated in the ordinance or resolution adopted as a result of the
heating. When this is done, the minutes need not record these findings
in the body of the minutes, but shall refer to the resolution or ordinance
voted upon by the City Council and City Commissions.
Arguments and Debates at Hearings. There is no requirement for
inclusion in the record, but as a matter of procedure, the City
Clerk/Minute Clerk will briefly note arguments and debates.
Policies and Procedures
City Clerk Pro. #006
1/8/91
Adjournment
In recording adjournment, the minutes shall show whether it is to another time
prior to the next regular meeting or merely adjourned. Adjournment will be by
motion.
Signing the Minutes
The approved minutes will be signed by the Mayor or Commission Chairperson
and certified by the City Clerk.
4
sff/~NS13308
CITY OF TEMECULA
PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS & PROCEDURES
The City Council and Planning Commission conduct public
hearings on zoning matters, land development applications,
and other matters as required by law. This document is
provided to inform you of the process under which the public
hearing will be conducted. The following steps will be
taken:
1. City Staff will review the application/project/
matter, present a staff report, and may make a
recommendation or propose alternatives to the City
Council prior to the public hearing.
2. A notice of the public hearing will be posted and
published, and when required by law mailed to all
property owners within 300 feet of the project (for
applications/projects involving specific
properties) and mailed to all others who so request
notice.
3. The Members of the City Council will receive the
staff report for the application/project/matter in
their agenda packet prior to the meeting. This
provides the Council with an opportunity to study
-1-
.. sff/.INS13308
the staff report which will become part of the
hearing record, and to become familiar with the
project prior to the public hearing.
When the public hearing is called, the City Staff
will summarize the application/project/matter as
contained in the staff report, or request a
continuance to a future meeting. The City Council
may ask questions of clarification during this
time.
Once the public hearing is opened, the
applicant/proponent is entitled to present his
application/project/matter in person or through a
representative. The applicant/proponent is limited
to a fifteen minute presentation.
Following this presentation, all other
proponents/supporters of the application/project/
matter are provided the opportunity to speak.
Individual testimony is limited to three minutes;
groups are limited to ten minutes.
After the proponents finish, the Mayor will ask for
any opponents or other concerned citizens to come
forward to speak. Groups are limited to twenty
minutes; individuals to three minutes.
Once all opponents or concerned citizens have
spoken, the applicant will be provided an
-2-
sff/INS13308
10.
ll.
12.
opportunity to rebut any testimony or evidence
provided by opponents or by staff. The rebuttal
shall be limited to answering or refuting testimony
of opponents or staff. Rebuttal is limited to ten
minutes.
The Mayor or a majority of the Council may extend
all time limits.
Following each presentation, each Council Member
may question the speakers.
Following rebuttal, the item is then before the
City Council for discussion and clarification.
Any Member of the Council may then make a motion
to:
A. Continue the Public Hearing to a date
certain to allow for further
study/discussion; or
S. Close the public hearing and do one of
the following:
1. Approve the application/project/matter
as submitted.
2. Conditionally approve the
application/project/matter with certai]~
revisions.
3. Deny the application/project/matter.
-3-
sff/INS13308
14.
4. Deny the application/project/matter without
prejudice (this action will allow applicant to
refile without waiting a specified time period
and will permit the waiver of the required
fees).
The applicant may withdraw the application/project/matter at
any time before a vote is taken by the City Council.
These rules apply equally to all other City Commissions.
-4-
sff/INS10308
CITY OF TEMECULA
MAYOR'S GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Mayor states "This is the time for the Public Hearing on
Agenda Item # (Describe generally from agenda). The
Mayor also explains the time limits on testimony·
The Mayor opens the Public Hearing by calling on the
City Manager for the Staff Report. (The City Manager
will then call on the appropriate staff member to give
the report·) Council Members may ask clarifying
questions of staff·
The Mayor calls on:
A. The Applicant and Asks Them to State Their Name and
Address for the Record
B. Others in Favor of the Matter and Asks Them to
State Their Name and Address for the Record
C. Those in Opposition to the Matter or Concerned
about the Application/Project/Matter and Asks Them
to State Their Name and Address for the Record
D. The Applicant for Rebuttal
E. Following each presentation, the Council may
guestion the speakers·
-1-
4. The Mayor states: 'The issue is now before the City Council
for discussion."
5. The Mayor calls upon individual Council Members who
request recognition to speak.
6. Following discussion, the Mayor or any Member of the
Council will make a motion to:
A. Continue the public hearing to a date certain to
allow for further discussion or study; or
B. Close the Public Hearing and: [Do one of the following]
1. Approve the application/project/matter as submitted.
2. Conditionally approve the application/project/matter
with certain revisions.
3. Deny the application/project/matter.
4. Deny the applicaton/project/matter without prejudice
(this action will allow applicant to refile without
waiting a specified time period and without repaying
of the required fees)
7. The Council votes on the motion.
8. The Mayor then opens the next public hearing.
9. These guidelines apply equally to all other City Commissions.
-2-
RDA RESOLUTION NO. 91-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF TEMECULA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE.
WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Agency of Temecula was activated pursuant to
Ordinance Nos. 91-08, and 91-14, respectively; and;
WHEREAS, it is foreseeable that the Redevelopment Agency officers and employees
may participate in the making of decisions which could have a material impact on their personal
financial interests distinguishable from the public generally; and,
WHEREAS, the California State Fair Political Practices Commission has ruled that such
material interests should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the affected official
should abstain from voting or participating in such a decision; and,
WHEREAS, "local agencies" including redevelopment agencies are required by
Government Code Section 87300 to adopt a Conflict of Interest Code; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF TEMECULA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the attached Conflict of Interest Code, is hereby adopted as the
Conflict of Interest Code for the Redevelopment Agency of Temecula.
SECTION 2. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of September, 1991.
~Moore, Chairperson
ATTEST:
J u~ t%Cle'~rk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE) SS
CITY OF TEMECULA)
I, June S. Greek, Secretary of the Redevelopment Agency of Temecula, HEREBY DO
CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 91-04 was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the
Redevelopmerit Agency of Temecula on the 10th day of September, 1991 by the following roll
call vote:
AYES: 4 AGENCY MEMBERS: Lindemans, Moore, Birdsall, Parks
NOES: 0 AGENCY MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 1 AGENCY MEMBERS: Mufioz
5/rdaresos -2-
/PCA/COI19764
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
FOR THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE
CITY 6F TEMECULA
SECTION 1. Purpose. Pursuant to the provisions Of
Government Code Sections 87300, et seq., the Redevelopment
Agency for the City of Temecula (hereinafter referred to as
"Agency") hereby adopts the following Conflict of Interest
Code. The provisions of this Code are in addition to those
contained in Title 9, Chapter 7 of the Government Code
(Section 87100 et seq.). Except as otherwise indicated, the
definitions contained in Title 9, Chapter 2 of the
Government Code (Section 8200 e__t seq.) are incorporated
herein and apply to this Code. It is the purpose of this
Code to provide for the disclosure of assets and income of
designated employees and officials which may be materially
affected by their official actions, and, in appropriate
circumstances, to provide that designated employees and
officials should be disqualified from participating in
Agency decision-making in order that conflicts of interest
may be avoided.
-1-
/PCA/COI]9764
SECTION 2. Designated Positions. The positions
listed in Exhibit "A" are designated positions. Officers
and employees holding those positions are deemed to make or
participate in the making of decisions which may foreseably
have a material effect on t~eir financial interest.
SECTION 3. Disclosure Statements. Designated
positions shall be assigned to one or more of the disclosure
categories set forth in Exhibit "B". Each designated
employee or official shall file an initial and annual
statement of financial interests disclosing that employee's
or official's interest in investments, business positions,
interests in real property and income reportable under the
category to which the employee's or official's position is
assigned in Exhibit "B".
SECTION 4. Place and Time of Filing.
(a) All designated employees or officials required
to submit an initial and annual statement of financial
interests shall use FPPC Form No. 730 and shall file the
original with the City Clerk's office.
(b) The City Clerk's office shall make and retain
a copy of the statement.
(c) A designated employee or official required to
submit an initial statement of financial interest shall
submit the statement within 30 days after the effective date
of this Code, disclosing interests held including
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~/PCA/CO I 19764
investments, business positions, and interests
property on the effective date of this Code or
designated employee or official assumed office,
in real
the date the
whichever is
later, and income received during the twelve (12) months
prior to the effective date of this Code.
(d) All persons hereafter appointed, promoted, or
transferred to designated positions shall file initial
statements not more than 30 days after assuming office.
(e) Annual statements shall be filed by April 1,
of each year by all designated employees and officials.
Such statements shall disclose reportable investments,
business positions, interests in real property, and income
held or received at any time during the previous calendar
year or since the designated employee or official took
office if during the calendar year.
(f) A designated employee or official required to
file a statement of financial interest with any other agency
which is within the same territorial jurisdiction and whose
disclosure requirements are comparable may comply with the
provisions of this Code by filing a duplicate copy of the
statement filed with the other agency, in lieu of an
entirely separate statement.
(g) Every designated employee or official who
leaves office shall file, within 30 days of leaving office,
a statement disclosing reportable investments, business
-3-
:/PCA/COI~9764
positions, interests in real property, and income held or
received at any time during the period between the closing
date of the last statement required to be filed and the date
of leaving office.
(h) A designated .~mployee or official who resigns
his or her position within 30 days following initial
appointment is not deemed to assume or leave office,
provided that during the period between appointment and
resignation the individual does not make, participate in
making, or use the position to influence any decision of the
City or receive or become entitled to receive any form of
payment by virtue of being appointed to the position.
SECTION 5. Contents of Disclosure Statements.
Disclosure statements shall be made on forms supplied by the
City Clerk's Office, FPPC Form No. 730, and shall contain
the following information:
(a) Contents of Investment and Real Property
Reports. When an investment or an interest in real property
is required to be disclosed, the statement shall contain:
(1) A statement of the nature of the
investment or interest;
(2) The name of the business entity in which
each investment is held and a general description of the
business activity in which the business entity is engaged;
-4-
/PCA/COI19764
(3) The address or other precise location of
the real property;
(4) A statement whether the fair market value
of the investment or interest in real property equals or
exceeds one thousand dollar~ ($1,000) but does not exceed
ten thousand dollars ($10,000), whether it exceeds ten
thousand dollars ($10,000) but does not exceed one hundred
thousand dollars ($100,000), or whether it exceeds one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). For purposes of this
Code, "interest in real property" does not include the
principal residence of the designated employee or official
or any other property which the designated individual
utilizes exclusively as that individual's personal
residence.
(b) Contents of Personal Income Reports: When
personal income* is required to be disclosed the statement
shall contain:
(1) The name and address of each source of
income totaling two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more in
value, or fifty dollars ($50) or more in value if the income
* "Income is defined in Title 9, Chapter 2 of the
Government Code (Section 82030). That definition is
attached hereto as Exhibit "C".
-5-
:/PCA/COlI9764
was a gift, and a general description of the business
activity, if any, of each source;
(2) A statement whether the total value of
income from each source, or, in the case of a loan, the
highest amount owed to each source, was at least two hundred
fifty dollars ($250) but did not exceed one thousand dollars
($1,000), whether it was in excess of one thousand dollars
($1,000) but not greater than ten thousand dollars
($10,000), or whether it was greater than ten thousand
dollars ($10,000);
(3) A description of the consideration, if
any, for which the income was received;
(4) In the case of a gift, the name, address
and business activity of the donor and any intermediary
through which the gift was made; a description of the gift;
the amount or value and the date on which the gift was
received;
(5) In
interest rate and the
the case of a loan, the annual
security, if any, given for the loan.
(c) Contents of Business Entity Reports. When the
designated employee's or official's pro rata share of income
to a business entity, including income to a sole
proprietorship, is required to be reported, the statement
shall contain:
-6-
X/PCA/COI19764
(1)
description of the
(2)
The name, address, and a general
business activity of the business entity;
The name of every person from whom the
business entity received payments if the designated
employee's or official's pso rata share of gross receipts
from such person was equal to or greater than ten thousand
dollars ($10,000) during a calendar year:
(3) Income of a business entity is required
to be reported only if the direct, indirect, or beneficial
interest of the designated employee/official and his or her
spouse in the business entity totals a 10 percent or greater
interest. In addition, for purposes of subparagraphs 2 and
3 of this subsection, the disclosure of persons who are
clients or customers of a business entity is required only
if it is reasonably foreseeable that the client or customer
may be materially affected by the decisions of the
designated employee/official.
(d) Contents of Business Position Disclosure.
When business positions are required to be reported, the
designated employee/official shall list the name and address
of each business entity in which he or she is a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee, or in which he or she
holds any position of management; a description of the
business entity in which the business is engaged, and the
/PCA/COI19764
designated employee's or official's position with the
business entity.
(e) Acquisition or Disposal During a Calendar
Year. If any otherwise reportable investment or interest in
real property was partially'or wholly acquired or disposed
of during the period covered by the statement, the statement
shall contain the date of acquisition or disposal. No
designated employee shall acquire any interest in any real
property included within a redevelopment project area
subject to the limited exceptions contained in Section 33130
of the Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 6. Disqualification. Designated
employees and officials shall disqualify themselves from
making, participating in the making of, or in any way using
their official position to influence a governmental decision
when it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will
have a material financial effect (distinguishable from its
effect on the public generally) on the designated employee,
or a member of his or her immediate family, or on:
(a) Any business entity in which the designated
employee/official has a direct or indirect investment worth
one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more;
(b) Any real property in which the designated
employee/official has a direct or indirect interest worth
one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more;
-8-
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(c) Any source Of income, other than gifts and
other than loans by a commercial lending institution in the
regular course of business on terms available to the public
without regard to official status, totaling two hundred
fifty dollars ($250) or mon~ in value provided to, received
by, or promised to the designated employee/official within
12 months prior to the time when the decision is made;
(d) Any 5usiness entity in which the designated
employee/official is a director, officer, partner, trustee,
employee, or holds any position of management; or
(e) Any donor of, or any intermediary or agent for
a donor of, a gift or gifts totaling two hundred fifty
dollars ($250) or more in value provided to, received by, or
promised to the designated employee/official within 12
months prior to the time when the decision is made.
For purposes of this section, "indirect investment
or interest" means any investment or interest owned by the
spouse or dependent child of a designated employee/official,
by an agent on behalf of a designated employee/official, or
by a business entity or trust in which the designated
employee/official, and/or his agents, spouse, and dependent
children own directly, indirectly, or beneficially a 10
percent interest or greater.
No designated employee/official shall be required
to disqualify himself or herself with respect to any matter
-9-
~/PCA/CO~19764
which could not legally be acted upon or decided without his
or her participation.
A designated employee/official required to
disqualify himself or herself shall notify the Executive
Director and the Secretary,'and the Secretary shall record
the person's disqualification.
Violations
Pursuant to Government Code Section 87300, this
Code "shall have the force of law" and any violation of any
provision of this Code shall be punishable in accordance
with Government Code Sections 91000 to 91015 and include
criminal and civil sanctions, as well as discipline within
the City's Personnel System.
sff/AGRl16001
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(/PCA/COllg~64
SECTION 7. EXHIBIT "A"
Designated Temecula Employees and Officials
and Disclosure Categories
The following Redevelopment Agency positions entail
the making or participation in the making of decisions which
may foreseeably have a material effect on financial
interests:
Designated Position Disclosure Categories
Agency Members ............................................ 1
Executive Director ........................................ 1
Secretary ................................................. 1
General Counsel ............................................ 1
Members of the Old Town Redevelopment Advisory Committee...1
Members of Project Area Committee(s), if applicable ........ 1
A-1
/PCA/COI19764
SECTION 8. EXHIBIT "B"
Categories of Reportable Economic Interests
Designated Persons in Category "1" Must RepOrt:
All investment interests, interests in real
property, income, and any bdsiness interests in which the
person is a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
or holds any position of management. These interests and
income are reportable only if partially or wholly derived
from activities conducted within the jurisdiction of the
Redevelopment Agency and located within a redevelopment
project area or within a two mile radius of a project
area. Prospective business interests in a redevelopment
project area are reportable and business interests existing
at any time during the two years prior to the filing of the
disclosure statement, are reportable.
The Redevelopmerit Agency reserves its right to add other
categories of Reportable Economic Interests and to
redesiqnate positions where necessary or in compliance with
the Political Reform Act, as amended
B-1
(/PCA/COI19764
EXHIBIT "C"
82030. Income. (a) "Income" means, except as
provided in subdivision (b), a payment received, including
but not limited to any salary, wage, advance, dividend,
interest, rent, proceeds from any sale, gift, including any
gift of food or beverage, loan, forgiveness or payment of
indebtedness received by the filet, reimbursement for
expenses, per diem, or contribution to an insurance or
pension program paid by any person other than an employer,
and including any community property interest in the income
of a spouse. Income also includes an outstanding loan.
Income of an individual also includes a pro rata share of
any income of any business entity or trust in which the
individual or spouse owns, directly, indirectly or
beneficially, a 10-percent interest or greater. "Income,"
other than a gift, does not include income received from any
source outside the jurisdiction and not doing business
within the jurisdiction, not planning to do business within
the jurisdiction, or not having done business within the
jurisdiction during the two years prior to the time any
statement or other action is required under this title.
(b) "Income" also does not include:
(1) Campaign contributions required to be
reported under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 84100).
(2) Salary and reimbursement for expenses or
per diem received from a state, local, or federal government
agency and reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem
received from a bona fide educational, academic, or
charitable organization.
(3) Any devise or inheritance.
(4) Interest, dividends, or premiums on a
time or demand deposit in a financial institution, shares in
a credit union or any insurance policy, payments received
under any insurance policy, or any bond or other debt
instrument issued by any government or government agency.
(5) Dividends, interest, or any other return
on a security which is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission of the United States Government or a
commodity future registered with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission of the United States Government, except
C-1
×/PCA/CO~19764
proceeds from the sale of these securities and commodities
futures.
(6) Redemption of a mutual fund.
(7) Alimony Or child support payments.
(8) Any loan or loans from a commercial
lending institution which are made in the lender's regular
course of business on terms available to members of the
public without regard to oEficial status if:
(A) ...... Used to purchase, refinance the
purchase of, or for improvements to, the
principal residence of filer; or
.(B).The balance owed does not exceed ten
thousand dollars ($10,000).
(9) Any loan from an individual's spouse,
child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister,
parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece,
uncle, aunt, or first cousin, or the spouse of any such
person, provided that a loan from any such person shall be
considered income if the lender is acting as an agent or
intermediary for any person not covered by this paragraph.
(10) Any indebtedness created as part of a
retail installment or credit card transaction if made in the
lender's regular course of business on terms available to
members of the public without regard to official status, so
long as the balance owed to the creditor does not exceed ten
thousand dollars ($10,000).
(11) Payments received under a defined benefit
pension plan qualified under Internal Revenue Code Section
401(a).
(12) Proceeds from the sale of securities
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of
the United States Government or from the sale of commodities
futures registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission of the United States Government if the filer
sells the securities or the commodities futures on a stock
or commodities exchange and does not know or have reason to
know the identity of the purchaser.
C-2
1991-1992
STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS
FOR DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
FORM 730 AND INSTRUCTIONS
IF YOU ARE AN OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE WHOSE POSITION IS DESIGNATED IN A
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE, USE THE FORM 730 TO FILE:
ASSUMING OFFICE STATEMENT
ANNUAL STATEMENT
LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT
INITIAL STATEMENT
CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Prepared by the
Fair Political Practices Commission
P,O Box 807
Sacramento, CA 95804-0807
Phone' (916) 322-5662
GIFT LIMITATIONS AND HONORARIA PROHIBITION
Gift Limitations
Elected State Officers may not accept gifts with a value of more than $250 in a calendar year
from a single source.
Local Elected Officers may not accept gifts and honoraria with a value of more than $1,000 in a
calendar year from a single source.
State Board and Commission Members, and State AGency Officials and Desiclnated Emplo ees
may not accept gifts with a value of more than $250 in a calendar year from a sin (e source i~/the
member or employee would be required to report the receipt of income or gifts ~rom that ~ource
on his or her statement of economic interests.
This prohibition does not apply to a part-time member of the governing board of a public
institution of higher education, uhless the member is also an elected official.
Exceptions To Gift Limit:
The following are not prohibited or limited by the Political Reform ACt:
The items listed in "Exceptions From Disclosure" in the instruCtions for "Completing
Schedule F -- Gifts" of this disclosure form.
Payments, advances, or reimbursements for travel and related lodging and subsistence as
described in "Travel Payments." However, many payments for travel, lodging and
subsistence must be disclosed.
-- Wedding gifts. However, wedding gifts must be disclosed.
Gifts From Lobb ists: EleCted state officers and certain state board and comm ss on members
and state agency o~icials and empl"~es are prohibited from accepting a g ft or gifts, inc ud ng
wed~T~'~gifts, aggregating more than $10 in a month from a obbyist or lobbying firm registered
with the Secretary of State.
"Gift" means anything of value, whether tangible or intangible, for which equal or greater
value is not provided. You must disclose girls with an aggregate value of $50 or more received
during the reporting period from a single source, without reQard to the location of the donor
(inside or outside your 'urisdiction). Any number of gifts from one person the values of which
add up to $50 or more c~uring the reporting period, must be disclosed.
Honoraria Pri3hibition
Elected State Officers may not accept any honorarium. "Honorarium" means, with the
exceptions noted below, any payment made in considerat on for any ~peech given, art c e
I
pub ished, or attendance at al%y public or private conference, convention, meeting, social event,
meal, or like gathering.
Local Elected Officers may not accept honoraria for any speech given, article published, or
attendance at any public or private conference. convention, meeting, soc a event. meal, or Jike
gathering, or gifts which aggregate more than $1,000 from a single source in a calendar year.
Members of State Boards and Commissions, and Employees of State Aqencies may not accept
an honorarium from any source, if the member or employee would be required to report the
receipt of income or gifts from that source on his or her statement of econ6mic interests.
This prohibition does not apply to any part4ime member of the governing board of any public
institutionof higher education unless the member is also an ele. cted official.
Exceptions To Honoraria Prohibition:
1. "Honorarium" does not include earned income for personal services which are customarily
provided in connection with the practice of a bona fide business, trade, or profession, such as .
teaching practicing law, medicine, insurance. real estate, banking, or building contracting,
h
unless the sole or predominant activity of the business, trade, or profession is making speec es.
2. This prohibition does not apply to payments, advances, and reimbuniements for travel and
related lodging and subsistence, as described in 'Travel Payments" below.
3. This prohibition does not apply to any honorarium which is not u~ed and, within'30 days
after receipt, is either returned to the donor or delivered to the Controller for donation to the
General Fund, without being claimed as a deduction from income for tax purposes.
Travel Payments
with the following exceptions, payments and reimbursements for travel are subject to the gift
limitations set out above:
Payments. advances. or reimbursements for travel, including actual transportation and related
lodging and subsistence which is reasonably related to a legislative or governmental purpose, or
to an issue of state, national, or international public policy, are not prohibited or limited, if either
of the following apply:
(1) The travel is in connection with a speech given by the elected officer or state emplo ee, the
lodging and subsistence expenses are limited to the day immediately preceding the day o~, and
the day immediately following the speech, and the travel is within the United States.
(2) The travel is provided by a government, a governmental agency, a foreign overnment, a
governmental authority, a bona fide public or private educational institution, as c?efined in
Section 203 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or a nonprofit charitable or religious organization
which is exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or by a
person doralolled outside the United States which substantially satisfies the requirements for tax
exempt status under Section 501 (c) (:3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3) Travel costs paid from campaign funds.
(4) Travel provided by the agency of an elected officer, member of a state board or
commission, or designated employee of a state agency.
(5) Travel which is reasonably necessary in connection with a bona fide business, trade, or
profession and which satisfies the criteria for federal income tax deduction for business expenses
in Sealions 162 and 174 of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the sole. or predominant ~tctivity of
the business, trade, or profession is making speeches.
(6) Travel which is excluded from the definition of a gift by any other provision of the Political
Reform Act.
NOTE: Travel payments which are not prohibited or limited may have to be disclosed. Refer to
the instructions for completing Schedule D-1 for detaded information.
TYPES OF STATEMENTS AND WHEN
STATEMENTS MUST BE FILED
FAILURE TO FILE STATEMENTS ON TIME MAY RESULT IN PENAL TIES
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LATE FINES.
Assuming Office Statement:
File if you assume a position designated in your agency's conflict of interest code.
a. Positions subject to State Senate confirmation - File no later than 30 days after your appointment or
nomination by the Governor.
b. AII other positions - File no later than 3O days after you assume office.
Annual Statement:
File at the time prescribed in your agency's conflict of interest code (April 1 for most fliers).
Leaving Office Statement:
File no later than 30 days after you leave your designated position.
Initial Statement:
If your agency has a newlv-adoOted conflict of interest code, file no later than 30 days after the effective date of
your agency's conflict of interest code. If your position was newly designated in your agency's conflict of interest
code, file no later than 30 days after the effective date of the amendment to the code.
Candidate Statement:
File no later than the final filing deadline for your declaration of candidacy. (Candidates for elective offices not
specified in Coy. Code Section 87200 must file a "candidate" statement (Form 730) only if required by the
agency's conflict of interest code.)
WHERE MUST STA TEMENTS BE FILED?
All statements, except those filed by State Assembly Staff members, are filed with your own agency, board or
commission unless otherwise specified in your agency's conflict of interest code.
State Assembly staff members file their statements directly with the Fair Political Practices Commission.
You must file an originally signed statement of economic interests with each agency, board or commission with
which you hold a designited position covered by a conflict of intereSt code.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE DISCLOSURE CA TEGORIES
Before completing this form, contact your agency, board or commission to receive a copy~ of your disclosure category,
which outlines the type of information you' must disclose.
FORM 730
Statement of Economic Interests
For Designated Employees
Date Received by Filing Official
(Type or Print in ink)
NAME OF FILER
A PUBLIC DOCUMENT
1991/92
NAME OF AGENCY
MAILING AODRESS
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX(ES):
JPOSITION TITLE
DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER
)
ASSUMING OFFICE STATEMENT:
[] Date
Positions subject to State Senate confirmation - File no later than 30 days after your appointment.
[] Date
All other positions - File no later than 30 days after you assume office.
You must disclose on Schedules A. B, C-1. C-2. and G all reportable investments, interests in real property and
businesspositionsrequiredbyyourdisclosurecategory, heldonthedateyouassumed ourposition. lnaddition,
you must disclose on Schedules D. D- I, E, F. H- 1, H-2 and H-3 income from all reportable sources received during
the 12 months priorto the date you assumed office.
ANNUAL STATEMENT: (Required to be filed for each year that you hold your designated position.)
[] You are required to file a statement no later than disclosing all reportable investments,
interests in real property and business positions held and income received during the period from
January 1. 1991 through December31, 1991.
LEAVING OFFICE STATEMENT: (Required to be filed when you leave your designated position.)
[] You are leaving or have left your position on and must file a statement no later than 30 days aher that
date. You must disclose all reportable investments, interests in real property and business positions held and
income received during the period from January I, 1991 through the date you left your designated position.
INITIAL STATEMENT: (Check the box below ONLY if your position has been recently designated or if you are filing
under a new Conflict of interest Code for your agency.)
[] .The conflict of interest code for your agency became effective or ~,our position was newly designated
You must file a statement no later than 30 days after this date. You must disclose on Schedules A, B, C* I, C-2 and
G all reportable investments. interests in real property, and business positions he~d on the date your agency's
code or your designation became effective. In addition, you must disclose on Schedules D, D- I, E, F, and H- I,
2 and H-3 inc'>me from all reportable sources received d~ring the 12 months prior to the date your agency's
cede or your designation became effective.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT: (If required by the conflict of interest code of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking elective office.)
[] The conflict of interest code specifies the types of interests you must disclose, You may be required to complete
Schedules A, B, C-1. C-2 and G.
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL FILERS
(Do not complete this summary until you have carefully reviewed the
instructions for each schedule)
SCHEDULE A -- INVESTMENTS (Which Are Not Held By A Business Entity Or Trust)
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS [~ SCllEDULE DOESNOTAPPLY
· TO lay DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE B o- INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY (Whleh Are Not Held By A Business Entity
Or Trust)
D COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTEaEM [] SCIIEDULE DOESNOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE C-I- INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY HELD BY A BUSINESS ENTITY
ORTRUST
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACIIED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS [] SCHEDULE DOEENOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CA TEGORY
SCHEDULE C-2 -- INVESTMENTS HELD BY A BUSINESS ENTITY OR THUST
~3 COMPLETED AND ATTACIIED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS
SCHEDULE D - INCOME (Other Than Loans And Gifts )
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTAELE INTERESTS
[] 9CHEDULE GOES NOT APPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
[] SCHEDULE GOESNOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE D-1 -- INCOME - TRAVEL PAYMENTS, ADVANCES, REIMBURSEMENTS
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [~ NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS [] SCHEDULE GOESNOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE E -- INCOME - LOANS (Received Or Outstanding During The Reporting Period)
]COMPLETED AND ATTACIIED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS
SCHEDULE F -- INCOME - GIFI'S
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS
SCHEDULE G-- BUSINESS POSITIONS
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS
[] SCHEDULE DOESNOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
]SCHEDULE DOES NOT APPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
] SCHEDULE GOES NOT APPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE H-I --COMMISSION INCOME RECEIVED BY BROKERS, AGENTS AND SALESPERSONS
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS [] SCHEDULE DOESNOTAPPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
SCHEDULE H-2--INCOME AND LOANS TO BUSINESS ENTITIES OR TRUSTS
[] COMPLETED AND .:kITACHED [] ~r0 REPORTABLE INTERESTS
SCHEDULE H-3 -INCOME FROM RENTAL PROPERTY
[] COMPLETED AND ATTACHED [] NO REPORTABLE INTERESTS
VERIFICATION
[] SCHEDUL~ DOES NO T APP£Y
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
[] SCHEDULE GOES NOT ARPLY
TO MY DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
I have used all reasonable diligence in preparing this statement, I have reviewed the statement and to the
best of my knowledge the mformat~on contained herein and in the attached schedules is true and
I
comp ere.
I certify under penalty of pedury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Execute~ on , 19 , at
SIGNATURE
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE A - Investments
( Which Are Not Held By A Business Entity Or Trust)
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INVESTMENTS YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
Yo:J must report as an investment any financial interest in any business entity located in or doing business in your
jurisdiction in which you or your immediate family (your spouse and your dependent children) had a direct, indirect
or beneficial interest aggregating $1,000 or more during the reporting period. In addition, if you had a 10% or
· greater interest in a business entity, please see Schedules C-I, C-2 and H-2.
A business entity is located in or doing business in the jurisdiction if it. a parent or subsidiary. or
a related business entity:
· Manufactures, distributes, sells or purchases products or services on a regular basis in the jurisdiction; or
· Plans to do business in the jurisdiction; or
Has done business in the jurisdiction within the previous two years; or
a Has an interest in real property in the jurisdiction; or
· Has an office in the jurisdiction
The most common types of investments are:
· Sole proprietorships
· Partnerships
· Stocks, bonds, warrants and options including those held in margin or brokerage accounts
· individual Retirement ACCOunts (IRAS) which are invested in reportal)le business entities or real property
You are not required to disclose the following investments: · Bank accounts, savings accounts and money market accounts
· Insurance policies
· Shares in a credit union
· Government bonds
· Diversified mutual funds registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
· Common trust funds created under California Financial Code Section 1564
· Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAS) invested in non-reportable interests such as insurance policies,
diversified mutual funds or government bonds
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE A
Assume that:
· You have a 50% partnership interest in ABC Land Developers, valued at S250,000, which you did not acquire
or dispose of during the reporting period.
Your partnership in ABC Land Developers must be disclosed.
Schedule A should De completed as follows:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
ABC Land Developers
Parmeg'ship
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Land Developer
If Acqu:re~i Or D,sposed Durtn~ The
Reporting Period, You Must Indicate
Month, Day And Yeir:
Date A~qeired: ~
VALUE
[] $1.000-510.0Q0'
] averS100.000
NOTE: You may be reduired tO report on S~hedule D any salary commission, distribution or other income
($250 or more) rec~eived by you or your spouse from business entities listed on S~hedule A. '
*If you have checked this box you must report any interests in real property and investments he d by the
NAME
Schedule A - Investments
(Which Are Not Held By A Business Entity Or Trust)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENT, LG.CQMMONSTO(K. pAetneaSN~,mtlei$1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS A~IVITY
' NAME OF BUSINESS ENTI~
If ACquired Or DisOosed During The
Rel)ortmg Period, YOu Must Indicate
Month. Day And Year:
Oate ACquired:
Date Oit4)osed:
If ACquired Or Disposed During The
ReBorting Period, You Must Indicate
Month, Dry At4 Year:
Date ACguired:
Oate DisDosed:
VALUE
[] $1,000-$10,000
] Over$100,000
VALUE
]S1.000-$10.000
[] $10.001-$100.000
]DyerS100,000
OwnershiD Interest
] Less than 10%
] 10%orgreater*
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
GIENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITy
If Acqu,red Or Disposed During The
Re;ortmg Per:De. You Must Indicate
Month. Day And Year:
Date Acclu:red:
Date Desposed:
VALUE
[] S1.000-S10.000
[] DyerS100.000
OwnershaD interest
] Lessthan 10%
] 10% orgreater*
VALUE
]S1.000-S10,O00
[] Over S100.000
NOTE: YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO REPORT ON SCHEDULE D ANY SAI.~RY, COMMISSION, DISTRIBUTION OR OTHER INCOME (S250 OR
MORE) RECEIVED BY YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE,FROM ANY BUSINESS ENTITY USTEO ON SCHEDULE A.
*if you have Checked this box, you must report on Schedules C-1 and C-2 any interests in real property and
investments hetd by the busineEs entity. In addition, if your pro rata share of the gross income from any one
source was S 10,000 or more, you may be required to report the name of that source on Schedule H-2.
[] If additiOrral space is needed, check box and attach an additional Schedule A.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE B - Interests In Real Property
( Which Are Not Held By A Business Entity Or Trust)
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR A GENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INTERESTS YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
YOu must report interests in real property located in our jurisdiction in which you or your immediate family had
a direct. indirect or beneficia interest aggregat ng $1,001~or more at any time dur ng the report ng period.
Jurisdiction for reporting interests in real property:
Judges, court commissioners state officeholders and state agenc officials and employees have statewide
jurisdic'uon and must report reat property located anywhere witffim the State of Californ a An riterest n real
property is in the jurisd c'don of a c~t or county if t is located in, or w th n two mes of, the cty or county or within
two miles of any land owned or usedYby the city or county. ' '
Interests in real property include: · A leasehold interest*
· A beneficial ownership interest
· A deed of trust
· An easement
· An option to acquire any of the above
· An interest in real property held by an IRA in which you have a 10% or greater interest
You are no__t required to disclose the following interests in real property:
· Any residence which you utilize exclusively as your personal residence unless it is also a place of business e g,
family farm, retail business, or vacation renta, n wh ch case you are required to disclose only the value of
that portion of the property which is used in connection with your business activities.
· Interests in real property acquired by a blind trust pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18235.
Reporting Interests in Rental Property and Income from Rental Property
If you or your immediate family have an interest in a rental property directly, i.e., not through a business entity,
you must report:
· The property on Schedule B;
· Your share of the total amount of rental income received from the property on Schedule D; and
· If your ownership interest is 10% or greater, the name of any tenant who paid rent of which your share was
$10,000 or more on Schedule H-3.
If you or your immediate family own a 10% or greater interest in a business entity, such as a partnership or joint
venture, which owns real property, you must report: · The business entity on Schedule A;
· The property held by the business entity on Schedule C- 1
· Your share of the total amount of income, incl udi ncj rents received from the business ant ty on Sched u · D
· The name of any c lent or customer who provided ~ncome to the bus hess entity of which your pro rata share
was $10,000 or more on Schedule H-2.
· An interest in a lease on real property is reportable if the value of the leasehold interest is $1,000 or more. The
value of the leasehold interest is the total amount of rent owed by you durin the reporting period or on an
assuming office statement, during the prior 12 months. No leasehold interest wi~gh a value Of less than $'1,000 need
be reported. When reporting a leasehold interest, you must include the address or other precise location of the
leased property and the date upon which the lease became effective, if this occurred during the reporting peri od.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE B
Assume that:
· You have a 25% interest in a commercial rental buitding at 14738 Spruce Street, Little Town. The fair market
value of your interest in the building is $85,000 and you did not accluire or dispose of the property during the
reportmg period.
Schedule B should be completed as follows:
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECTSE LOCATION OF PROPERTY CITY
14738 Spruce Stzeet Little Town
NATURE OF INTEREST. E.G., OPTION. OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD, DEED OF TRUST
Ownership
If Acquired Or Dasposeci During The Oate ~cauired: If Rental ProDeft'/,
FAIR [] SI,000-S1Q,000
MARKET D~]~10,001-$100,000
VALUE [] DyerS100,000
.come C,=50 o, m0rel,.ce,vedbyyouoryourspo.se
you have a 10% or greater interest in a rental property, you may have additional reporting reQuirementS on
Schedule H-3.
NAME
Schedule B - Interests In Real Property
(Which Are Not Held By A Business Entity Or Trust)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
'STREET.ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY ~CITY
NATURE OF INTEREST, E.G., OPTION, OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD, DEED OF TRUST
FAIR [] $1.000-$t0.000
MARKE. T [] $10,001-S100,000
· VALUE [] Over$100,O00
If Acquired Or Disposed DUring The Date Acquired:
Reporting Period You Must Indsr,~te Date Disposed:
Month. Day And Year:
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY
NATURE OF INTEREST, E.G.. OPTION, OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD. DEED OF TRUST
FAIR [] $1.000-$10,000
MARKET [] $10,001-$I00,000
VALUE [] DyerS100,000
If Acquired Or Disposed Ounng The
Reporting Period You Must Indecite
Month, Day And Year:
Date DP~posed;,
NATURE OF iNTEREST, E.G., OPTION, OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD. DEED OF TRUST
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY
If Rental Propor'of,
Chvnef$hip Interest Is
EZ]Lessthan 10%
] 10% orgreater'
FAIR [] $1,000-$10.000
MARKET [] $10,001-$100,000
VALUE [] Over $100.000
CITY
NATURE OF INTEREST, E,G, OPTION, OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD, DEEDOF TRUST
FAIR [] S1.000-S10.000
MARKET [] $10,001-S100,00Q
VALUE [] Over $1~0.000
If AcRuired Or DisOose~ During The Date Acquired: If Rental Property, [] Less than 10%
NOTE: YOu may be required to report ;)n Schedule O any income ($250 or more) received by you or your Spouse
from rental property listed on Schedule B.
*If you have a 10% or greater interest in a rental property. you may have additional reporting requirements
on Schedule H-3.
[] If additional space is needed, check box and attach an additional Schedule n.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE C-1 -
Interests In Real Property Held By Business Entities Or Trusts
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSUL T YOUR A GENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF INTERESTS YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
If, during the reporting period, you or your immediate family had a 10% or greater interest in a business entity or
in a trust, and
If, during the reporting period, the business entity or trust held interests in real property:
You must report such interests in real property if your pro rata share in any interest in real property is $1,000
or more and if the real property is Iotated in your jurisdiction.
In addition, you must report the business entity holding such interests in real property as an investment on
Schedule A.
Reporting Assets Held By A Trust: You must disclose interests in real property held by any trust in which you
have a 10% or greater interest, if your pro rate share of the interest in real property is $1,000 or more. Pursuant to
FPPC Regulation 18234, you have an interest in .a trust if you are:
1. A maker and:
a. can revoke or terminate the trust; or
b. have retained any rights to the income or principal of the trust or retained .any reversionary or remainder
interest; or
c. have retained any power of appointment including the power to change the beneficiaries.
2. A beneficiary and:
a. presently receive income; or
b. have an irrevocable future right to receive income or principal.
If you are only a trustee, you do not have a reportable interest in the trust.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE C-1
Assume that:
· You have a 50% partnership interest inABC Land Developers worth $250,000.
· ABC Land Developers owns real property worth $300,000 located within your jurisdiction. The real property
was not acquired or disDosed of during the reporting period.
Your 50% interest in 'ABC Land Developers must be reported on Schedule A. The reat property held by ABC Land
Developers must be reDorted on Schedule C-1 as follows:
INTERESTS IN REA.L PROPERTY HELD BY: ABC Land Developers
(Name Of Business Entity Or Trust Holding The Real Property)*
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY C]TY.
AP 0'~9 589202 Little Town
NATURE OF INTEREST. E.G., OPTION,OWNERSHIP, LEASEHOLD, DEED OF TRUST
OwnershiD
If Acqu,red Or DisDosed Outing Date Acclu,red:
FArm ~ S1,000-$10.000
M&aK[T S10.001-$100,000
Over S100.000
'Your investment in this Dusiness entity must be reDoRed on Schedule A-investments.
NAME
Schedule C-1 - Interests In Real Property
Held By A Business Entity Or Trust
(SEE I.NSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDrNG PAGE)
INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY HELD BY:
(Name Of Busmess Entity Or Trust Holding The Real Property)"
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY CITY
NATURE OF INTEREST, E.G., ORTION,OWNERSHIP. LEASEHOLD. DEED OF TRUST
~Acc~umredpeOr D~spyocsed Durm9 The Date Acquired:
eDortlng ertod Ou Must Intocare
Month, Day And Year' Date D~$Oosed:
STREET ADDRESS OR PRECISE LOCATION OF PROPERTY CITY
NATURE OF INTEREST, E G.. OPT ON,OWNERSHIP. LEASEHOLD. D~ED OF TRUST
FAIR [] $1.000-$10.000
MARKET [] $10.001-$100.000
VALUE [] Over $100.000
FAIR [] $1,000-S10,000
MARKET [] $10.001-S100,000
VALUE [] Over $100.000
FAIR F~ Sl.000-$I0.000
MARKET $10.001-$100.000
VALUE [] Over $100,000
FAIR [] Sl,000-$10,000
MARKET [] 310,001-3100,000
VALUE [] Over$100.000
FAIR [] Sl,000-$10.000
MARKET ["} S10,001-S100,000
VALUE [] Over 3100.000
*Your investment in this business entity must be reported on Schedul? A-Investments.
[] If additional space is needed, check box and attach an additional Schedule C-1.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE C-2 -
Investments Held By Business Entities Or Trusts
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES INTERESTS YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
If, during the reporting period, you or your immediate family had a 10% or greater interest in a business entity or
in a trust, and
If, during the ~'eporting period, the business entit~ or trust held investments:
You must report such investments if your pro rata share of any investment is $1,000 or more and the
investment is in a business entity located in, or doing business in, your jurisdiction (report this on Schedule C-
2).
In addition, you must report the business entity holding such investmentS as an investment on Schedule A.
Reporting Assets Held By A Trust: You must disclose investmentS and interests in real property held by any trust
in which you have a 10% or greater interest, if your pro rata share of the investment or interest in real property is
$1,000 or more. Pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18234, you have an interest in a trust if you are:
1. A maker and:
a. can revoke or termi hate the trust; or
b. have retained any rights to the income or principal of the trust or retained any reversionary or remainder
interest; or
c. have retai ned_~an.~, power of appointment including the power to change the beneft ciaries.
2. A bene~ciaQl and:
a. presently receive income; or
b. have an irrevocable future right to receive income or principal.
If you are only a trustee, you do not have a reportable interest in the trust.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE C-2
Assume that:
· ABC land Developers owns common stock worth $3,000 in Ajax Building Materials, which does business in
your jurisdiction. The investment was not acquired or disposed of during the reporting period.
Your 50% interest in ABC Land Developers must be reported on Schedule A. The common stock held by ABC Land
Developers must be reported on Schedule Co2 as follows:
INVESTMENTS HELD BY:
ABC Land DeveloOers
(Name Of Business Entity Or Trust Holding The Investment(s))*
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
Ajax BuildLug Materials
NATURE OF INVESTMEI:IT, E.G,. COMMON STOCK, PARTNERSHIP
Common Stock
GENERA J, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Manufactures BuildLug Supplies
If Acqu:red Or OispOse~ During The FAIR
ReDOfling Period, You Muff Indicate MARKET
Month. Day And Year: VALUE
*Your in~'estment in this business entity must be reported on Schedule A-Investments.
] Sl.ooo-slo.ooo
] Over$100.O00
NAME
Schedule C-2 - Investments Held By A Business Entity Or Trust
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
INVESTMENTS HELD BY:
(Name Of Business Entity Or Trust Holding The Investment(s))*
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENT, E,G,, COMMON STOCK. PARTNERSHIP
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
If Acquire Or Deslxlsed During The
Reportrag Period, You Must Indicate FAIR
MARKET
Month. Day And Year:
VALUE
Date Acquired:
Date Ols;~)sed:
] $1.000-S10.000
] Over$100.O00
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENT. E .G., COMMON STOCK, PARTNERSHIP
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
IfAtj:luirodOrDislx)sedDuringThe FAIR ~ Sl.000-$10.000
RelN)rtlng Period, You Must Indtcate MARKET $ I 0.001 -S 100.000
Y Ova r $100.000
MOnth, Day And ear: VALUE
Date Acquired:
Date Disposed:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENT, E,G,. COMMON STOCK, PARTNERSHIP
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
If Acquire Or Dislx~ted During The FAIR
Repoellng Period. You Must Indicate MARKET
Month. Day And Year: VALUE
Date Acquired:
Date Disposed;
Over S100.000
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENTsE.G., COMMON STOCK. PARTNERSHIP
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
If Acquired Or Olsl;~osed During The FAIR
RepOrting Period. YOu Must Indicate MARKET
MOnth, Day And Year: VALUE
$1.000-S10.000
] OverSlO0.000
NATURE OF INVESTMENT. E.G., COMMON STOCK, PARTNERSHIP
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
If Acquired Or D~sOosed Dunng The FAIR ~ S 1.000-S 10,000
Reportrag Period. You Must Inaecate MARKET S 10,001 -S 100.000
Month. Day An~lYear: VALUE [] OverS100,000
Date Acquired:
Date D~sOosed:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NATURE OF INVESTMENT. E.G.. COMMON STOCK, PARTNERSHIP If Acquired Or Dis;Died During The FAIR
Reporting Period. You Must indicate MARKET
Y
Month. Day And ear: VALUE
GENER~AL DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY Date Acquired: ·
*YOur investment in this business entity must be reported on Schedule A-Investments.
Over $100.000
] If additional space is needed. check box and attach an additional Schedule C-2,
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE D - Income
(Other Than Loans, Girls And Honoraria)
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
Important: Under the Political Reform Act, reportable income is different from income for tax purposes,
You must report your qross income and your community property merest n your spouse's gross ncome Gross
income is the total amount of income before deductSrio expenses losses or taxes. Income aggregating $250 or ~
received trom any source located ~n or aiomg business en your lur~hct~on must De disclosed.
A source of income is located in or doing business in the jurisdiction if it or a parent. subsidiary,
or a related business entity:
· Manufactures distributes, sells or purchases products or services on a regular basis in the jurisdiction.
· Plans to do business in the jurisdiction.
· Has done business in the jurisdiction within the previous two years
· Has an interest in real property in the jurisdiction.
· Has an Office in the jurisdiction.
Reportable income includes:
· Commission income. (See Schedule H-1 -Commission Income.)
· Salary/wages, per diem. reimbursement for expenses. (See exclusions below. Also see Schedule D-1-Income --
Travel Pa merits Advances Reimbursements.) ·
· Income ~r~m a I~usiness entity and your pro rata share of the tote gross payments received by a business
entity (including rental property) or a trust in which you or your spouse had an ownership interest of 10% or
more.
· Your community property interest (50%) in your spouse's income
· Proceeds from any sale including the sa · of a house or car (The tote sale price is reportable regardless of
any obligation you might have to pay on pans secured by the property.)
· Rental income.
· Prizes or awards not disclosed as fts.
a Forgiveness of a loan or other i nag~btedness.
· Loan payments received by you.
You are not required to disclose the following types of income:
· Sale orreimbursementsforexpensesandperdiemfromafedera stateor ocal government agency.
· Rei~rYoursement for travel expenses and par diem race ved from a bona fide educational, academic or
charitable organization.
· Campaign contributions.
· A devise or inheritance. (However, inheritance of an investment or an interest in real property may be
reluired to be reported on Schedule A or B.)
· Dividends, interest or other returr~ on a security which is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
· Payments received under an insurance po cy
· Interest dividends or rem ums on a t me or demand deposit in a financial institution, shares in a credit
union, an insurance bo~ ,ora bond orotherdebt nstrumentissued bya government agency.
· Income of dependent ct~iCrr~ren.
e. Payments received under a defined benefit pension plan qualified under .Internal Revenue Code Section
401(a).
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE D
Assume that you received income from the following sources during the reporting period:
· $4,800 in total rental incomefromadu lex, whch sin our jurisdiction,
· Your spouse received $18 000 in salary from Genera Te?'~;phone Company, a manufacturing firm which sells
products in your jurisdiction,
Schedute D should be comoleted as follows:
Duplez
104 & IN Main Street, Little Town, CA
General Telephone Company
GROSS INCOME RECEIVED:
] s2s0 - s1,000
] $1.001 -S10.000
] Over $10,000'
] S~K0 - S 1.000
] $1,001 -S10.000
] Over$10.000
NAME
Schedule D - Income
(Other Than Loans, Gifts And Honoraria )
(SEE INSTRUCTION5 ON PRECEDING PAGE)
NAME OF THE SOURCE OF INCOME
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH INCOME WAS RECEIVED
NAME OF THE SOURCE OF INCOME
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH INCOME WAS RECEIVED
NAME OF THE SOURCE OF INCOME
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR WHtCH tNCOME WAS RECEIVED
NAME OF THE SOURCE OF INCOME
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVETY, IF ANY
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR WHICH ~NCOME WAS RECEIVED
GROSS INCOME RECEIVED:
] $250 - S 1.000
] Over S 10,000
] $250 - $1,000
] Over S 10.00(3
] Over S 10,000
] S250 - S ~ .000
] $1.00t -SlO,O00
] Over$10.O00
] If additional space is needed. check box and attach an additional Schedule D.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE D-1 - Income '-
Travel Payments, Advances, Reimbursements
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
Schedule D*I is for disclosing payments, advances, or'reimbursements for travel, including actual transportation
,lnd related lodging and subsistence. In lieu of disclosing travel payments on Schedule D-l, such payments may be
disclosed as gifts on Schedule F, or as income on Schedule D.
Generally, travel payments are "gifts" and must be disclosed if you receive $50 or more in such payments from a
single source.
Travel payments are "income" if you have provided services which were equal to or greater in value than the
payments for the travel. Income of $250 or more received from a single SOurce must be disclosed.
Government Code Section 82028 provides that any person, other than a defendant in a criminal action. who
claims that a payment is not a gift by reason of receipt of consideration has the burden of proving that the
consideration received is of equal or greater value.
Payment or reimbursement for travel within California in connection with an event at which you gave a speech,
participated in a panel or seminar or performed a similar service is not required to be disclosed. However, travel
payments in connection with such an event outside California must be disclosed.
Travel payments received from a state, local, or federal government agency, for which you have provided equal
or greater consideration, are not required to be disclosed. If you have not provided equal or greater consideration
for the payments, you may be required to disclose the payments as gifts.
Travel payments received from a bona fide educationa[, academic, or charitable organization, for which you have
provided equal or greater consideration, are not required to be disclosed. If you have not provided equal or greater
consideration for the payments, you may be required to disclose the payments as gifts.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE D-1
Assume that you artended a trade show in Mudville, CA.:
· The American Manufacturers Assn. paid $175 for your travel and accommodations
Schedule D-1 should be completed as follows:
American Manufacturers AJsn.
f7 Green Lane, Mudviile, CA
Trade Association
DATE(S):
(so. ~,y S yr) AMOUNT(S):
$175
PURPOSE AND
LOCATION OF
TRAVEL:
transportation and
accommodations to
attend trade show
NAME
Schedule D-1 - Income -- Travel Payments, Advances, Reimbursements
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
PURPOSE AND
DATE(S): AMOUNT(S): LOCATION OF
(roD, day & yr) TRAVEL:
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
TYPEOFPAYMENT: (CHECKONE) [] GIFT
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
TYPE OF PAYMENT; (CHECK ONE) [] GIFT
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
TYPE OF PAYMENT: (CHECK ONE) [] ?IFT
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY
TYPE OF PAYMENT: (CHECK ONE) [] GIFT
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
TYPEOFPAYMENT: (CHECKONE) [] GIFT
] INCOME
] INCOME
[] INCOME
] INCOME
·
[] INCOME
If additional space is needed. check box a.nd attach an additional Schedule D-1.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE E - Income -- Loans
(Received Or Outstanding During The Reporting Period)
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
You must report loans, including real eState loans and margin accounts. received by either yourself or your
spouse aggregating $250 or more from a single source which is located in, or doing business in, your jurisdiction. All
reportable loans received or outstanding during the reporting period must be disclosed. Note: Multiple loans from a
single SOurce must be aggregated.
A source of income is located in o~ doing business in the jurisdiction if it or a parent, subsidiary,
or a related business entity:
· Manufactures. distributes. sells or purchases products or services on a regular basis in the jurisdiction.
· Plans todo business in the jurisdiction.
· Has done business in the jurisdiction within the previous two years.
· Has an interest in real property in the jurisdiction.
· Has an office in the jurisdiction.
You are not required to disclose the following loans:
· Any loan from a commercial lending institution used to purchase. refinance the purchase of, or for
improvemenU to, your principal place of residence if the loan was made in the lender's regular course of
business on terms available to members of the public without regard to official status.
· Loans from a commercial lending institution in the normal course of business which did not exceed $10,000 at
any time during the reporting period. (Multiple loans from a commercial lending institution must be
aggregated.)
· Any indebtedness created as pan of a retail installment or credit card transaction made in the creditor's
regular course of business on terms available to the public without regard to official status if the aggregate
amount owed to the creditor did not exceed $10,000 at any time during the reporting period.
· Any loan from your spouse, child, parent. grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-
law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person, except.that a
loan from any such person is reportable if the person is acting as an intermediary or agent for any person not
covered by this provision.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE E
Assume that:
· You received a~ equity loan in the amount of $I 5,000 from Greatest Savings and Loan on your principal place
of residence to consolidate your bills and to take a vacation.
. You must report:
· The equity loan on your principal place of residence because the loan amount was over $10,000 and the
money was not used to refinance or for improvements to your principal residence.
Schedule E should be completed as follows:
NAME OF LENDER
Greatest Savings ..¢ Loaa~
ADDRESS
123 Ma~t Street, Little Town
NATURE OF BUSINESS. IF AN~ ~
Lending Institution
SPECIFIC SECURITY FOR LOAN INCLUDING GUARANTOR (If Rear Pfoper~y, Proviola Aaaress)
Personal Residence []
WAS THE ENTIRE LOAN ~ YES
THE REPORTING PERrOD.
REPAID DURING ~ r~ NO
NONE
AMOUNT Of HIGHEST BALANCE
DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD:
] S2E0-$1,000
] Sl.001 -$1o,0oo
] Over$10.000
INTEREST RATE
14% [] NONE
NAME
Schedule E - Income -- Loans
(Received or Outstanding During the Reporting Period )
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
NAME OF LENDER
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
IWA$ THE ENTIRE LOAN [] YES
REPAID DURING
THE REPORTING PERIOD? [] NO
SPECIFIC SECURITY FOR LOAN INCLUDING GUARANTOR (If Real Property. PrOvKle Address)
NAME OF LENDER
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
] NONE
iW~ THE ENTIRE LOAN [] YES
REPAID DURING
THE REPORTING PERIOD? [] NO
] NONE
SPECIFIC SECURITY FOR LOAN INCLUDING GUARANTOR (If Real Property, Provide Address)
'NAME OF LENDER
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY ~ WAS THE ENTIRE LOAN [] YES
REPAID DURING
THE REPORTING PERIOD? [] NO
~PECIFIC SECURITY FOR LOAN INCLUDING GUARANTOR (If Real Property. Prowde Address) [] NONE
NAME OF LENDER
ADDRESS.
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY I WAS THE ENTIRE LOAN [] YES
REPAID DURING
THE REPORTING PERIOD? [] NO
SPECIFIC SECURITY FOR LOAN INCLUDING GUARANTOR (If Real Property. Provide Address) [] NONE
AMOUNT OF HIGHEST BALANCE
DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD:
] S250-$1.000
] Over $10,000
INTEREST RATE
] NONE
] S250 - S 1,000
] Over $10.000
INTEREST RATE
] NONE
] S250 o S1.000
] Over S 10.000
INTERESTRATE
] NONE
] SES0-S1,000
] DyerS10.000
INTEREST RATE
] NONE
[] If additional space is needed, check box and attach an additional Schedule E.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE F - Income -- Gifts
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE. CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
"Gift' means anything of value, whether tangible or intangible, for which equal or greater value is not provided+
You must disclose gifts with an aggregate value of $S0 or more received during the reporting period from a
single source, without regard to the location of the donor (inside or outside vour jurisdiction). Any number of gihs
from one person, the values of which add up to SS0 or more during the reporting period, mu, st be disclosed.
It is the acceptance of the gift, and not the ultimate use to which it is put, that imposes a reporting obligation on
you. Thus, you must report a gift even if you never make use of it (unless you return the gift or donate it to a charity)
or if you give it away to ~nother person. (Note: There are special rules for reporting gifts of free passes or tickets.
(Commission Regulation 18726.3.)) If the exact amount of the gift is not known, you must make a good faith
estimate of the item's fair market value. Listing the value of the gift as 'over $50' or "value unknown' is not
adequate disclosure. Gifts are reportable without regard tO where the donor is Iotated,
See Schedule D-l- Income -- Travel Payments, Advances, Reimbursements for information concerning payments,
including advances and reimbursements, for travel.
IMPORTANT: If you receive a gift through an intermediary, you must disclose the name, address and business
activity of both the donor and the intermediary.
You are not required to disclose the following types of gifts:
· Gifts of hospitality involving food, drink or occasional lodging provided in an individual's home.
· Gifts equal in value exchanged between you and an individual, other than a lobbyist, on holidays. birthdays,
or similar occasions.
· Gifts of informational material, such as books, pamphlets, reports, calendars or periodicals.
· Gifts from your spouse child parent grandp_arent grandchild brother sister parent-in-law brother-in-law
sister-in-law. aunt. uncle, niece, ne hew, or first cousin or the spouse o4 any such person~ provided that a
from an such person must be dis~?orsed if the person is acting as an agent or intermediary for a reportagl:;le
source ~)~ income.
· A beguest or inheritance. (However, an inheritance of an investment or an interest in real property may be
required to be reported on Schedule A or B.)
· Gifts which are not used and which within 30 days after receipt, are returned to the donor or delivered to a
char tab · organ zation without being da reed as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.
· Personalized plaques and trof~hies with an individual value of less than $250.
· Campaign contributions.
· Food, beverage, and necessary accommodations received directly in connection with an event at which you
gave a speech, participated in a panel, or provided a similar service.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE F
Assume that:
· You received season tickets worth $200 to professional baseball games from Valley Pipe Systems. You used
the tickets.
5~hedule F should be completed as follows:
Valley Pipe Systems
· 200 I~. Fifth, Hometown
Manufactures Irrigation & I'lumblng Supplies
DATE(S)
RECISIVED: DESCRIPTION
(too. day a yr) VALUE(S): OF GIFT(S):
March I, 1991 $20~
Season tickets to
Hometown A'S
bMeba|l team
NAME
Schedule F - Income -- Gifts
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE)
DATE(S)
RECEIVED:
(roD. day & yf) VALUE(S):
DESCRIPTION
OF GIFT(S):
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITy. IF ANY
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, IF ANY
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY
NAME OF SOURCE
ADDRESS
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY
m.
[] If additional space is needed. check box and attach an additional Schedule F.-
information for SCHEDULE G: Business Positions
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF POSITIONS YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
You must report the name of any business entity covered by your disclosure category for which you are a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or hold any position of management.
Positions held in non-profit or charitable organizations or campaign committees are not reportable,
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE G
Assume that:
e
Your disclosure category requires you to disclose business positions in entities which are contractors, land
developers, or manufacturers of equipment used by your agency. You have been a partner in ABC Land
Developers during the entii'e reporting period. You would report that position as foil ows:
Schedule G should be completed as follows:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
ABC [~nd Developers
NATURE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY. IF ANY
L4md Developer
POSIT~3N HELD THROUGH ENTIRE REPORTING PERIOD?
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
5744 Tenfk Street, Little Town
YOUB JOB TITLE OR POSITION
Partner
IF NO POSITION COMMENCED ON
PLEASE INDICATE: POSITION TERMINATED ON
NAME
Schedule G - Business Positions
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGE )
NAME OF ENTITY
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY
POSITION HELD THROUGH ENTIRE REPORTING PERIOD?
[] YES [] NO PLEASE INDICATE:
[] YES [] NO PLEASE INDICATE:
[] YES [] NO PLEASE INDICATE:
[] YES [] NO PLEASE INDICATE:
[] YES [] NO PLEASE INDICATE:
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR JOB TITLE OR POSITION
IF NO POSITION COMMENCED ON
PLEASE INDICATE: POSITION TERMINATED ON
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR JOE TITLE OR POSITION
POSITION COMMENCED ON
POSITION TERMINATED ON
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR JOB TITLE OR POSITION
POSITION COMMENCED ON
POSITION TERMINATED ON
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR ,rOB TITLE OR POSITION
POSITION COMMENCED ON
POSITION TERMINATED ON
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR JOB TITLE OR POSITION
POSITION COMMENCED ON
POSITION TERMINATED ON
ADDRESS OF ENTITY
YOUR JOB TITLE OR POSITION
POSITION COMMENCED ON
POSITION TERMINATED ON
[] If additional space is needed, check box and attach an additional Schedule G.
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE H-l-- Commission Income
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
Brokers, agents, or salespersons are required to disclose the names of sources of commission income if their pro
rata share of the gross commission income amounts to $10,000 or more from a single source. NO ownership interesz
in a business entity is necessary to require disclosure or disqualification under this provision. 'Commission income'
means gross payments received as a result of services rendered as a br~>ker. agent, or salesperson. Persons who must
report commission income include: insurance brokers or agents, real estate brokers or agents, travel agents or
salespersons. stockbrokers, and retail or wholesale salespersons. The "source" of commission income may be a client
or customer or it may be a broker, a company or other business entity through which the goods or services were sold,
or it may be both. (See example below.) NOTE: If you have reported yourself or your employer as a source of
commission income on Schedule D. you are not required to itemize yourself or your employer as a source of income
on Schedule H-1.
During the reporting period, did you or your spouse receive 'commission income' for services rendered as a
broker. agent. or salesperson?
NO- You are not required to complete Schedule Hol.
YES-- YoumustProvidethenameofeachindividualorentitywhich: - Islocatedin, ordoingbusinessin. yourjurisdiction;and
- Was a source of income. provided that your pro rata share of such receipts was $10.000 or more.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE H-1
Assume that:
· You are an agent for Smith and Jones insurance Company. You sold a Businessmen's Insurance Company
insurancepolicytoXYZCompany. Yourecevedcommissionincomeof$1S,00Ofromthetransaction.
· Your spouse is a real estate broker for Goldwater Realty and received a commission of $20.000 from the
Grand Company.
You would:
· Report both XYZ Company and 8usinessmen's Insurance Company as sources of commission income because
each was a source of $10,000 or more. Smith and Jones is disclosed on Schedule D as a source of commission
income. and on Schedule H-1 as the business entity through which you received the income.
· Repor~ Grand Company. your spouse's client, because your community property share (50%) of the gross
receipts amounted to $I0,000 and would meet the reporting threshold. You would also repor~ your
community property share of your spouse's income from Goldwater Realty on Schedule D as a source of
income.
Schedule H-1 would be completed as follows:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
Smith and Jones Insurance Company
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME
XYZ Company
Businessmen's Insurance Company
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
Goldwater Realty
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME
Grand Company
INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULES H-2 AND H-3 '-
Income And Loans To Business Entities Or Trusts
And Income From Rental Property
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHEDULE, CONSULT YOUR AGENCY'S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE TO DETERMINE THE TYPES OF INCOME YOU MUST DISCLOSE.
If, during the reporting period, you and your spouse owned an aggregate interest of 10% or more in any business
entity (including rental property) or a trust, you must provide the name of each individual or entity which:
· Is located in, or is doing business in, your jurisdiction; and
· Was a source of income, including loans received or outstanding, to the business entity or trust, provided that
your pro rata share of such payments or receipts was $10,000 or more (Schedule H-2), or
· Made rent payments, provided that your pro rata share of such receipts was $10,000 or more (Schedule H-3).
IMPORTANT:
The requirement to report sources of income to a business entity or trust is determined by the
location of the source of loan or income--not by the location of the business entity or trust which
received the loan or income or by the location of the rental property.
If the business entity in which you have a 10% or greater interest is located in or doing business in
your jurisdiction, it must also be reported on Schedule A and you may be required to complete Schedules
C-1 and C-2. Your pro rata share of the gross income to the business entity must also be reported on
Schedule O.
If the rental prol3erty in which you have a 10% or greater interest is located in your jurisdiction, it
must also be reported on Schedule B. Your pro rata share of the gross rental income from the property
must also be reported on Schedule D.
FPPC Regulation 18740 provides a procedure for obtaining an exemption from the disclosure
requirement of clients' names which are legally recognized as privileged under California law. You
may obtain a copy of Regulation 18740 by contacting the Fair Political Practices Commission.
NOTE: If your pro rata share of income or a loan to a business entity or trust is $256 or more, you may
be required to disqualify yourself from decisions affecting that source of income or loan, even though you
are not required to report it.
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE H-2
Assum,e that: ·
· During the reporting period, ABC Land Developers, in which you have a 50% partnership interest, received a
loan from the Little Town Bank in the amount of $30,000. The bank has a branch which is located in your
jurisdiction. ,
· ABC Land Developers received a gross payment from JOhn H. Brown, a customer. in the amount of $~5,000.
Mr. Brown is doing business in your jurisdiction.
· Your spouse owns 100% of a law 'firln. A client paed your spouse $20,000 during the reporting period. This
client is doing business in your lurlsdiction
You would:
e
Report the loan to ABC Land Developers from the Little Town Bank because your pro rata share (50%) of the
$30,000 loan is $15,000 and meets the $ I 0,000 reporting threshold.
Not report the name of John H. Brown, a customer, because your pro rata share (50%) of ~is $15,000 gross
payment is only $7,500 and does not meet the $10,000 reporting threshold. However, Mr. Brown is a source
of income to you, and you may have to disqualify yourself from decisions affecting Mr. Brown.
Report your spouse's law firm and its client because your pro rata share (50%) of the $20,000 paid to the law
firm is $10,000 and meets the reporting threshold.
Schedule Ho2 would be completed as follows:
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
ABC Land Developers
NATURE OF BUSINESS. IF ANY
Land Developors
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME AND LOANS TO THE BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
Little Town Bank
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
Smith end Jones
NATURE OF BUSINESS, IF ANY
Law Firm
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME AND LOANS TO THE BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
Joseph Brown and Associates
EXAMPLE, SCHEDULE H-3
ASsume that:
· You own 25% of a commercial building located in your jurisdiction from which rental income was received
from a single tenant in the amount of $40,000.
You would:
Report the name of the rental tenant who provided payments in the amount of $40,000 to the commercial
building because your pro rata sKare (25% of the rental payments) is $10,000 and would meet the reporting
threshold.
Schedule Ho3 would be completed as follows:
AODRESS OF RENTAL PROPERTY
14738 Spruce Street
NAMES OF RENTERS
Sylvan Taylor, M.D.
cITY
I. ittl T
e own
NAME
Schedule H
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PRECEDING PAGES)
Schedule H-1
Commission Income Received By Brokers, Agents And Salespersons
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME
Schedule H-2
Income And Loans To A Business Entity Or Trust
NAME OF BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
NATURE OF BUSINESS
NAMES OF SOURCES OF INCOME ANO LOANS TO THE BUSINESS ENTITY
OR TRUST
ADORESS OF BUSINESS ENTITY OR TRUST
Schedule H-3
Income From Rental Property
You must disclose the name(s) of any tenter(s) who made rent payments, provided that your pro rata share of such
receipts from any one tenter was S10,000 or more,
ADDRESS OF RENTAL PROPERTY CITY
NAMES OF RENTERS
ADDRESS OF RENTAL PROPERTY .
NAMES OF RENTERS
CITY.
] If additional space is needed. check box and attach additional schedules.