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oohh . audio

audio is wonky

There is a problem with the audio.

Tasha, your audio is static-filled.

bad connection

can't hear

I can't hear clearly

The audio

its distorted

very muffled audio fam

The audio is impossible.

Interference from John Eastman?

Jewish space lasers?

jackass

yes

https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/

Fire Districts are included

how does the city council get away with renewing police contracts without public input or able to see agreements before they are agreed upon.

Welcome to everyone who joined after we got started. This is being recorded and closed captioning is enabled. We'll be watching for your questions via chat & Q&A.

why is arbitration closed sessions

Can ADHoc committes be formed in closed session?

we will address teleconference meetings toward the end of the workshop

I like the preamble of the SF Sunshine Ordinance that makes a proactive statement.https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_admin/0-0-0-19481

a lotta these public mtgs are intentionally elusive ....n strategically inaccessible for greater public participation 📌

Many public officials/bodies used the COVID pandemic as an excuse to flout Brown and/or CPRA? How can we fight such conduct when such situations arise in the future?

esp. the jail/prison board MTGs

does the public have a right to know who is on these arbitration committees?

@Richard Knee, I agree that during COVID a lot was thrown to the waste side because everything almost shut down. Courts to be able to bring litigation forward were scrambling and closed to the public.

What about quorum of sub or standing committees?

On provision #3, may someone sign in to speak anonymously.

I’ve seen people speak as Citizen and Anonymous.

Sheriffs Department Here

You can bring in small signs!

Might be interesting to discuss Canon 35.

can an adhoc commitee be formed in closed session

There is no requirement to identify yourself when entering a public space for a public meeting. No sign-in sheets, etc.In SF, we allow anonymous public comment and even filing of complaints for noncompliance of open meetings and public records.

Labor negotiations?

Q: What about information being discussed regarding law enforcement personnel that is subject to public disclosure in a meeting and in writing but a meeting body decides to meet in closed session labeling it as a personnel matter?

In San Diego you do fill out a form and can list yourself as what you want to be called like citizen, initials and anonymous. Good to know how SF does it.

Is there a time window for posting those documents before a vote? LA City Council often drops large documents hours before a vote?

Sometimes, SF Board of Supes has dropped docs literally minutes before a vote!

^In SF, must be posted and/or delivered with the agenda/meeting notice.

Can they say for public comment item during a special meeting that the public can only speak on items on the agenda?

@RickKnee Yep but folks rarely file complaints about it.

so csn you ask questions on agenda items

during the public comment time period

General public comment is not required for special meetings (LA abuses this), they still have discretion to open up to general

At the begging of the agenda before the agenda items

I have seen non agenda comment on special meetings but if it is not on the agenda we’ve had to stick to what is on the agenda even for special meetings.

they've also shifted agenda topics

I haven't seen a provision in the Brown Act that requires general public comment for items not on the agenda. Am I missing it somewhere?

Agreed!

or leaving very limited time for public participation for folks not physically present💯🫤

All kinds of AB 361 issues regarding virtual meetings and now bills in play, AB 1944 & 2449.

Agree with @Cat and @Winnie. These tactics are all against civic engagement and hearing the public voices. Often they have already made their deals.

Frequently, meeting bodies will clump a bunch of sub-items under a topic heading then limit public comment to the topic heading for all the sub-items. This is a nefarious tactic to limit public comment.

It is part of their job to listen to ”The People!”

^One would think and hope so.

Can a city council require public comment on an agendized item be deferred to point at which that item comes up on the agenda? Even for consent items that may be voted on with unanimous consent and therefore not open to public comment?

They just disrespect the people.

SF Sunshine Ordinance:(d) A policy body shall not abridge or prohibit public criticism of the policy, procedures, programs or services of the City, or of any other aspect of its proposals or activities, or of the acts or omissions of the body, on the basis that the performance of one or more public employees is implicated, or on any basis other than reasonable time constraints adopted in regulations pursuant to Subdivision (c) of this Section.https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_admin/0-0-0-19651

Yes, actions in closed session must be reported out. Best practice is not to take action in closed session. Have the discussion in closed session but take action publicly/

Can the City Manager interact/ respond to public comment insted of city council responding

please clarify the difference between a public comment vs. inquiries

OMG

Much appreciation. <3

I'm curious to know how San Diego and National City cops treat journalists at protest actions.

Please explain the importance of the McKee Act Govt Code 54960 et seq.

^Specifically, Section 54960.2 on cease and desist letter by "any interested person".

@RichardKnee we were limited on where and what we could've filmed.

Reporting out actions in closed session: Govt. Code § 54957.1

@CatherineMendonca do cops there brutalize journos as they do in SF and Oakland?

Reminding everyone that you can submit questions to our free Legal Hotline if you have something specific you want our team look into: https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/

But they never take it up.

And the public under 54960.2 can issue a cease and desist letter.

^Can you speak about this?

@RichardKnee not as bad but copwatchers gotten retaliation against for filming

The Brown Act language on threat of litigation allowing a closed session is as follows: "A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency." Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(2).

That language must be understood in light of the state constitutional rule that exceptions to transparency must be construed narrowly.

But yes, it can be subject to abuse

Agreed. It is abused

Generations of DAs keep saying there isn't a criminal action they can point to take up noncompliance despite the provision of violations may be subject to misdemeanor.

Your audio is down.

I hear you fine.

AB361 requires that the public can observe the body..Does that include the right to see the governing body on camera

during a meeting

"Declared state of emergency" is often cited. Other than the governor, how gets to declare a "state of emergency" ? When does the emergency expire? This work-around to in-person meetings is being abused.

If a city council takes a "straw vote" in closed session to support an administrative decision by its city manager without prior public notice or opportunity for the public to address is that an action that must be declared in open session and is that "vote" subject to being voided?

@RichardKnee Cat, her partner and other journalist were brutalized and there is a current case regarding a journalist shot with pepper balls during a protest.

Can't hear David.

Can you provide a statute to support that last point please.In SF, we had issues of barriers to access using long distance phone numbers.

AB361 requires that the public can observe the body..Does that include the right to see the governing body on cameraduring a meeting

camera during*

please tag @HARPNOWORG when posting to the SM. I'd love to reshare with my audience ✅😃✊🏾😌

NO SOUND!!

The video and chat will be on our website by tomorrow. Videos from our recent PRA and protest rights sessions are already there. https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2022/05/know-your-rights-a-summer-workshop-series/

thank you team

Thank you all for being with us.

Thank you for having us

https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/

You are all so appreciated. Thank you for keeping freedom and democracy alive.

I would love that education and knowlege is key