Open Government

By Deirdre Frank

Residents must be able to trust their government.

The Court not only found a violation, but issued an Injunction ordering the City Council and Community Development Commission to comply with the Government Code as follows:

1. Closed sessions shall not include discussions of transactions or potential transactions pertaining to real property not specifically identified in the agenda.

2. Closed sessions shall not include discussions pertaining to proposed commitments by the city concerning city property other than the property identified in the closed session agenda as the property subject to the negotiations.

3. As to the real property being negotiated in such closed sessions, discussions shall be limited to price, price-related monetary terms and conditions as to the financing or use of that specific property which are being imposed or proposed by either the city or another negotiating party.

4. The disclosure of items to be discussed in such closed sessions, pursuant to sections 54954.5(b)and 54957.7 (Government Code), shall identify all parties with whom city representatives will be negotiating.

Is this the kind of city government we want?

The City spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars defending itself and is contemplating an appeal of the ruling. I do not think the City should appeal.

I want to restore the faith in our city government, welcoming input on the decisions that affect one of our most important choices. . .where we live.