Alameda Municipal Code § 2.90 Introduction

This sunshine ordinance has been developed to codify the City of Alameda's public policy concerning participation in the deliberations of the City's legislative bodies and to clarify and supplement the Ralph M. Brown Act and the California Public Records Act and expanding its application and effectiveness to local governments. It is an affirmation of good government; and a continued commitment to open and democratic procedures. It is an effort to expand our citizens' knowledge, participation and trust. As procedures of government change and evolve, so also must the laws designed to guarantee the process remains visible. In addition, this ordinance will establish a mechanism for enforcement.

(Ord. No. 3036 N.S., § 1, 11-1-2011, eff. 2-1-2012)

An informed public is essential to democracy. It is the goal of the ordinance codified in this article to ensure that the citizens of Alameda have timely access to information, opportunities to address the various legislative bodies prior to decisions being made, and easy and timely access to all public records.

(Ord. No. 3036 N.S., § 1, 11-1-2011, eff. 2-1-2012)

The Alameda City Council finds as follows:

a. It is government's duty to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public, except as provided elsewhere in this article.

b. Elected City officials, commissions, boards, advisory bodies, task forces and other agencies of the City exist to conduct the people's business. This article is intended to assure that the deliberations of these bodies and the City's operations are in full view of the public.

c. It is the City's duty to serve the public and to accommodate those who wish to obtain information about or participate in the process of making decisions.

d. The right of the people to know what their government and those acting on behalf of their government are doing is fundamental to a democracy, and with very few exceptions, which this article will clarify, that right supersedes any other policy interest government officials may use to prevent public access to information. In those rare and unusual circumstances where the business of government may be conducted behind closed doors, those circumstances must be carefully and narrowly defined to prevent any abuse.

e. This article is intended in part to clarify and supplement the Ralph M. Brown Act and the California Public Records Act to assure that the people of the City of Alameda can be fully informed and thereby retain control over the instruments of local government in their city.

f. As adopted, it is the intention of this article that members of the City Council who sit on separate boards and commissions, such as, but not limited to the ARRA and CIC, will adopt these rules and requirements for each of those bodies.

(Ord. No. 3036 N.S., § 1, 11-1-2011; Ord. No. 3151 N.S., § 1, 4-19-2016)

The City Manager shall ensure that City staff is trained regarding their obligations under this article.

(Ord. No. 3151 N.S., § 2, 4-19-2016)

If the Mayor delivers a State of the City address, it shall be given in a disabled accessible venue with audio and video streaming and transmission capabilities. The event shall be noticed, recorded, free to the public and open to all. The report shall include a report on the previous year's complaints, if any, concerning the ordinance, how they were resolved, and a summary of any actions taken or pending related to provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 3151 N.S., § 2, 4-19-2016)