Resolution No. 2011-196RESOLUTION NO. 2011-196
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON ADOPTING A CITY POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR
COMPLYING WITH OPEN MEETING LAWS INCLUDING THE
RALPH M. BROWN ACT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Vernon as well as
City commissions, boards, committees and other governmental bodies in
the City of Vernon aid in the conduct of the people's business; and
WHEREAS, the actions and deliberations of these governmental
bodies should be conducted openly so that the public has the
opportunity to attend these meetings and participate in the discussion
since the best ideas and approaches to public issues emerge through
open debate and exchange of ideas, it is imperative to protect the
public's right to participate; and
WHEREAS, transparency in the City's decision making process
promotes efficiency and effectiveness in government; and
WHEREAS, Citizens who are fully aware of and free to observe
the performance of public officials and listen to their deliberations
are in a better position to ensure government is operating in an
honest, cost effective and prudent manner; and
WHEREAS, the California Constitution states that the people
have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the
people's business and that meetings of public bodies shall be open to
public scrutiny; and
WHEREAS, the City is required to comply with the open
meeting provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Sections
54950 et seq., the "Brown Act"), in complying with these provisions,
the City recognizes the need to balance the public's right to open
meetings with the need for confidential debate and the right of
privacy; and
WHEREAS, the City's Independent Ethics Advisor, John Van de
Kamp, recommended in his report, dated July 29, 2011, that the City
develop a written Brown Act compliance policy; and
WHEREAS, on August 25, 2011, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 2011-149 affirming the City's commitment to implement
the Independent Ethics Advisor's recommendations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the recitals contained hereinabove are true
and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
establishes a policy that the City shall comply with the provisions of
the Brown Act, including any amendments thereto, to ensure meetings
are open to the public, that the public has notice of such meetings,
that the public has access to such meetings and has the opportunity to
participate. The City Council and other legislative bodies of the
City, as defined in the Brown Act, shall conduct their meetings in
accordance with the provisions of the Brown Act to ensure transparency
and promote public participation and collaboration.
SECTION 3: The City shall issue a Brown Act compliance
manual to City officials and City staff to outline the requirements of
the law and the City's related policy and procedures. The City Clerk
and the City Attorney shall annually review the manual and prepare any
necessary updates.
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SECTION 4: The City shall conduct Brown Act compliance
training for City officials and City staff on an annual basis, in
accordance with City Council Resolution 2011-69.
SECTION 5: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of
Resolutions of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of December, 2011.
Name: William J. Davis
Title:cS!I Mayor Pro-Tem
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Willard G. Yamaguchi, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution
No. 2011-196, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council
duly held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, and thereafter was duly signed
by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of December, 2011, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 8, 2011
TO: Rory Burnett, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Daniel Calleros, Interim Police Chief
Kristen Enomoto, Council Department Manager
Carlos Fandino, Director of Light & Power
Masami Higa, Assistant Finance Director
Alex Kung, Senior Accounting Manager
Joaquin Leon, Deputy City Treasurer
Lewis Pozzebon, Director of Health & Environmental Control
James Rodino, Police Captain
Martha Valenzuela, Director of Personnel/Business Services
Mark Whitworth, City Administrator/Fire Chief
Kevin Wilson, Director of Community Services & Water
FROM: Willard Yamaguchi, City Clerk
RE: Resolution No. 2011-196 — A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vernon
Adopting a City Policy and Procedures for Complying With Open Meeting Laws Including
the Ralph M. Brown Act
Transmitted herewith is a copy of Resolution No. 2011-196 referenced above, which was approved by City
Council on December 6, 2011.
Thank you.
WY:dj
Attachment
c: Resolution No. 2011-196
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RECEIVED ;wr
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CITY CLEWS OFFICE STAFF
•
CITY •
DATE: December 1, 2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark C. Whitworth, City Administrator
RE: Brown Act and Public Records Act Compliance Policies
Backeround
In his report, dated July 29.2011, the City's Independent Ethics Advisor, former Attorney
General John Van de Kamp, recommended that the City develop written Brown Act and Public
Records Act compliance policies.
Per Mr. Van de Kamp's recommendation, the City worked with counsel to develop the proposed
compliance policies and is continuing to work with counsel on the preparation of Brown Act and
Public Records Act compliance manuals.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the attached Brown Act and Public Records Act Compliance Policies be
adopted.
Attachments