HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02122002 - SD.7 1WA
TO: BOA""OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark DeSaulnier Contra
' Costa
DATE: February 12, 2002 - County
SUBJECT: Review of Maddy Book, Better Government and
Brown Act Processes and Procedures
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
BACKGROUND:
In recent years numerous ordinances and regulations have been enacted to the ensure rights of
individuals to access their government at all levels and to protect their participation in public
processes. Scores of committees and commissions have been created to this end. Dedicated
members of these bodies contribute thousands of volunteer hours. County staff`is assigned to
serve as support to them. With so many groups and rules in place, it is only appropriate that from
time to time we evaluate their operation. Further, it is incumbent upon us as the oversight
authority to review how well our people are being served and if our processes are in fact taking
place in the most open and accessible manner possible. We are indebted to Deputy County
Counsel Mary Ann Mason for her undertaking widespread training in these matters of the law;
however, we must now extend these trainings even further. Our system works well, but it is
essential that there never be even an appearance of impropriety. Also, it should be noted that in
an age of advanced technology and record keeping, Maddy data must be current and open to all,
and deserves a greater presence than a 4-inch thick loose leaf binder.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I. DIRECT the Internal Operations Committee to work with the offices of the County
Administrator, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and the County Counsel in the establishment
of a process for the orientation and regular training of.committee members and their support
staff as to the legal requirements of the Better Government Ordinance, the Brown Act and the
Maddy Book.
2. DIRECT the County Administrator to report to the Internal Operations Committee on the
status of efforts to establish and maintain an up-to-date Maddy Appointive List database, and
to provide access to current Maddy Act advisory body information through the County's web
page.
3. DIRECT the Internal Operations Committee to report back to the Board of Supervisors on
this issue within 60 days.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SM,331RU
ACTION OF BOARD ON February 12. 2002 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED,L_ OTHER,__
See attached addendum for Board's action, .
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X__.UNANIMOUS(ABSENT None t ANIS CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED February 1?, 2002
JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact: Marls DeSwdnkr(925)646-3763
cc: Comity Administrator
Clerk of*e Board
county Counsel B DEPUTY
b
ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.7
February 12, 2002
On this date,the Board of Supervisors considered a review of the Maddy Book,Better
Government and Brown Act Processes and Procedures.
Supervisor DeSaulnier presented his recommendations to staff. The Board discussed the matter.
The chair invited those who wished to address the Board on this issue. The following person no
one appeared to present testimony:
The Chair invited comment from the public. The following person presented testimony:
Ralph Hoffman, 60 Saint Timothy Court, Danville.
After further discussion, the Board took the following action:
♦ DIRECTED the Internal Operations Committee to work with the offices of the County
Administrator, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Counsel in the establishment of
a process for the orientation and regular training of committee members and their support
staff as to the legal requirements of the Better Government Ordinance, the Brown Act and the
Maddy Book;
♦ FURTHER DIRECTED the County Administrator to report to the Internal Operations
Committee regarding the status of efforts to establish and maintain an up-to-date Maddy
Appointive List database and to provide access to current Maddy Act advisory body
information through the County's web page,the Internal Operations Committee to report
back to the Board of Supervisors within 90 days