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A&A: Slideshow presentation during public comment at school board meeting

firstamendment June 13, 2009

Slideshow Presentation During Public Comment at School Board Meeting Q: I spoke before the School District Board meeting, giving a slide show presentation concerning the proposed transfer of Special Education classes from the county office to the district, against the transfer.  I spoke in the public comments section, having 4 minutes to speak.  About one minute into the presentation, the superintendent cut me off saying “That’s enough…we won’t have any more of that….shut it down.” 

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A&A: City-Funded Committees with Non-Public Official Member

firstamendment June 13, 2009

City-Funded Committees with Non-Public Official Members Q: The issue is that the City funded a committee of residents to develop a strategy to pass an open space initiative (at one Council meeting the money was referred to as seed money).  Two City Council members were on the committee, but have refused to give the names of the other members. The ordinance was passed by the voters, and the City Council has been asked to provide

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A&A: Question and Answer Session with Consultants

firstamendment June 13, 2009

Question and Answer Session with Consultants Q: I was at a recent city council meeting where the engineering consultants put on a presentation to justify doubling the rates we pay for our water. Then there was a question and answer period where the public was invited to address their questions to the consultants. There were many questions about the components of planned upgrades to the infrastructure: whether or not they were “growth facilitating” and whether

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A&A: School Board Agenda Packets Availability

firstamendment June 13, 2009

School Board Agenda Packets Availability Q: I have a question about access to school board agenda packets. My understanding is that districts only need to notice a meeting 48 hours in advance, but that school board packets become public record as soon as they’re sent to the trustees. The school district that I cover has asked that I wait until Monday to pick up board packets that are sent to the trustees Friday. Up to

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A&A: Elected Officials Right to Public Comment

firstamendment June 13, 2009

Elected Officials Right to Public Comment Q: Can an elected official (City Councilperson) speak under Oral Communications and claim to do so as a resident? May that official verbally insult residents who have spoken without some consequence to himself? Is there any violation of the Brown Act? How can we the residents protect ourselves and how can we convince the Mayor and Council, who have been intimidated, to take action? What recourse do we have?

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