Open meetings a work in progress in Victorville

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – After continued rumblings from citizens and the Daily Press about Victorville improperly using closed session meetings, it only took one letter from a successful open-government activist to spark changes in how the City Council does business.

But with some concerns still not addressed, the threat of a civil suit looms.

Richard McKee, president of the nonprofit Carmichael based group Californians Aware, wrote a letter to every council member and the city attorney’s office in late January. In that letter, he demands they address a series of what he sees as violations to the Brown Act, the state’s open meetings law.

After reviewing city agendas, minutes and audio tapes from past council meetings, McKee said he spotted “numerous and repeated” violations of the Brown Act including:

• Not properly agendizing anticipated litigation to be discussed during closed session;

• Not giving citizens a chance to comment on closed session items before those discussions took place;

• Discussing items in closed session other than what’s allowed and not reporting on votes taken behind closed doors; and,

• Adding “urgency” items to the agenda where no immediate action is needed or the city knew about the item in time to add it to the regular agenda.