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A&A: Park & Rec “advisory committee” keeping its advice secret

FAC August 8, 2011

Q: 1. Can the (recently appointed) president of a Park and Recreation board form a “Management Committee” without approval of the full Board when one of the (two) members of said Committee is a public member? 2. This “Committee” met with representatives of several public and possibly private (non-profit) organizations without publically reporting who they met with, when, or the topic of discussion. We do know they met with an individual associated with an individual

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A&A: The CPRA and privately owned utilities companies

FAC August 7, 2011

Q: Does the CA Public Records Act apply to a public, stockholder-owned company regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission? A: Whether or not records retained by the water company are covered by the Public Records Act depends on whether the company fits within the Act’s definition of “state or local agency.” A “state agency” is defined as “every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission or other state body or agency, except

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A&A: How to file a Brown Act complaint

FAC August 6, 2011

A: The City Planning Commission considered an item not on the agenda, discussed it, and voted to deny it. I want to file a complaint. Where can I find what to do, the timeline, and a sample complaint? Q: If you feel that the Brown Act was violated, the first step would be to send a letter to the planning commission demanding that it cure or correct the action taken in violation of the Brown

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A&A: Meeting minutes reveal personal ID information

FAC August 6, 2011

A: The City Council requires members of the public to state their names and addresses before making public comment. I did so at a recent meeting. In the minutes of that meeting my comments were edited, and my private information (address) was published. I did not sign anything nor did I give anyone a verbal ok to use that information. As a retired peace officer I am concerned about my right to privacy being violated.

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Have a legal question on FOI issues? Ask us. FREE!

FAC August 5, 2011

The First Amendment Coalition offers an incredibly useful and FREE legal consultation service. FAC’s Legal Hotline, available on our website, is staffed by top media lawyers who will answer your questions about freedom-of-information, open-meeting laws, First Amendment protections for journalists, bloggers and ordinary citizens, and other open-government issues. I’m writing because FAC wants you to use this completely FREE service. FAC is a nonprofit. Our Legal Hotline service is made possible by grants from the

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