Audio Recording, Meetings Q: Is it legal in California for a homeowner to secretly tape a HOA meeting. What rights do I have as a homeowner when I find that I have unknowingly been taped of my comments as a homeowner at a monthly HOA meeting? Does any homeowner have the right to tape without disclosure? Does the Board have the right to negate the use of audio recordings? A: Although I cannot advise you
Online Sheriff’s Blotter Q: The County Sheriff Department maintains a website that contains a sheriff’s blotter of recent calls and related arrests by community. When I first started using this website to track crime in my community, the information about arrests included the charges filed, felony status, jurisdiction issuing warrants, etc. That information was removed about 18 months ago and replaced with this statement: “Due to security concerns, we have discontinued posting detailed inmate information on this website. Information required
Third Party Notification Q: Does the custodian of a public record have the right to notify the party that someone is requesting their public record? I.e., there was a bid for a public entity that is now closed. I want to obtain a copy of the winning bid, but the custodian is saying that they have to notice all requests to the party that placed the bid. This doesn’t seem quite right. A: Under Public
Unreasonable Fees for Access Q: The county keeps a database of records that are computer printouts of companies who have valid permits, and these lists used by their staff daily. They are not custom made for the public, and other counties post these lists on their website at no charge. In addition, the County requires a written request and charges a search fee of $67.00 to determine if there are records available, the request is then processed, and then an
The CPRA and the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Q: Are call detail reports – detailed billing of land, cell and fax phone numbers public records under CPRA and San Francisco enhanced Sunshine Ordinance? I know home phone numbers at times may be redacted but what about a person’s cell phone number? How would an agency know from a listing what are home, cell or office numbers? How does this square with the concept that some