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Showing 11 - 20 of 64 results

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act First Amendment

    I could not display a video during my public comment at a city council meeting

    […] public, before or during the legislative body’s consideration of the item, that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body." As to special meetings, "Every notice for a special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body concerning any item that has been described […]

    April 3, 2025

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Brown Act Violation Concerns Over Closed Session Protocols for Employee Evaluations

    […] (Government code section 54954.5 and 54947(b)) title: . The employee was told verbally the day before that the item was added but he did not get written notice and was not notified of an option for an open session. After the meeting, the Board Chair announced that he was put on leave and they […]

    January 20, 2021

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act Newsgathering

    Restrictions on Agendas and Minutes

    I am attempting to report on city government and  have learned that the city only offers citizens the chance to view agendas during normal business hours. If one wishes to obtain copies, the city charges $.15 per black and white page. Past agendas and minutes can be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope. […]

    March 5, 2012

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Can a special meeting on 24 hours notice include a closed session?

    Regarding Special Meeting, it is an open public meeting and requires a 24 hour notice to inform the public of the upcoming special meeting, what about the closed session meeting? Even though your organization mentioned that closed session can be done even with a 24 hours notice to inform the public of the Special […]

    June 14, 2009

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Does A Closed Session Employment Termination Decision Violate the Brown Act?

    […] invited to attend the closed session. The meeting was agendized as "Public Employee Evaluation—Library Director " and made no mention of possible disciplinary action. I received no notice of any charges or complaints and was not given the choice of having a discussion in open session. I was unaware that the meeting was disciplinary […]

    November 12, 2018

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Closed sessions to“items discussed not falling within their jurisdiction”

    […] how the law is to be applied. Legislative bodies subject to the Brown Act (such as the Associated Students of a community college) must satisfy the proper notice requirements for a closed session.  At least 72 hours prior to each regular meeting, legislative bodies must prepare an agenda containing a brief general description of […]

    June 14, 2009

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    Does Brown Act Allow Adding Agenda Items Less Than 72-Hours Before A Meeting?

    A California City Council originally released an agenda for its regular meeting without a closed session. Each agenda usually has a closed session heading listed at the end of the meeting — but the council doesn't meet in closed session; it's like a placeholder. On its action calendar, the council was scheduled to discuss […]

    May 19, 2020

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act First Amendment

    Can a city council member control clapping during a meeting?

    During city council meetings, a city council member allows clapping during public comment unless she disagrees with what was said. If she disagrees with what was said during public comment, clapping is prohibited. When the council member has controlled clapping in the past, the speakers did not discuss harming anyone. They said things she […]

    April 24, 2025

  • Asked and Answered

    Brown Act

    School board closed session “under the guise of labor negotiations.”

    […] the unions. To my knowledge there haven't been any formal negotiations, only anticipation of negotiations. The trustees do have "conference with labor negotiators" on their closed session agenda every meeting. The superintendent is the board's labor negotiator. Doesn't a budget "strategy" that has been "articulated in great detail" need to be discussed in open […]

    February 20, 2015