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:,C~~' MANAGER'S OF"'
MEMORANDUM
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
November 15, 2002
TO: DISTRIBUTION LIST
FROM: BART J. THILTGEN, CITY A'I-I'ORNEY ~
SUBJECT: MASSAGE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
This memo is to advise all interested persons that consideration by the Council
Legislative and Litigation Committee of the proposed amendments to the City of
Bakersfield's ordinance regulating massage establishments has been delayed until after
January 1, 2003. You will be advised when the matter will be placed on the
Committee's agenda. Also, prior to that meeting, you will be provided with a copy of the
most recent revision of the amended ordinance, with alternative language for those
portions for which a consensus between the industry and the Bakersfield Police
Department was not attained.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also, if you
know of an interested person who may have inadvertently been omitted from the
Distribution List, please inform them of this change.
BJT:dll
cc: Legislative & Litigation Committee
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Alan Tandy, City Manager
Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst
S:WOLICEhM EM OS~vlassageOrdA mdPropM mo.dot ~* ~ °
Massage Ordinance Amendment Proposal.~. ~-
November 15, 2002
Page 2
Distribution List:
Eric Mattock, Chief of Police
Jess Molinar, Lieutenant, Police Dept.
Christian Fredericksen
Margaret Hust
Irene Rodriguez
Patricia Trujillo
Kevin Taylor
Chris Gibson
Mary Stroud
Marsha Magnuson
Vanessa Rueda
Karen A. Foley
Bob Hurst
Knute Berry
Datila Frei
Marilyn McKinley
Marsha Bidwell
Sharon A. Riggan
Jesus Carpio
Noemi Fuentes
Renee Nelson
Andrew Ridenour
Sharon Anyan
Donna Henderson
D~I~¢~B~ a~ rd
Toni Solano
Judith Koch
S 5POLIC E\M EM OS~4assageOrdAmdPropM mo.dot *? *,~ ·
ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER
:,=10 S,I:I39¥N¥1AI/d.13,
~ C!9AI3~)3~1
MEMORANDUM
CITY A'n'ORNEY'S OFFICE II'BY ATTORNEY/CLIENT AND
FAX 852-2000 PHONE 326-3721 IIATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
November 15, 2002 IIPRIVlLEGES
TO: LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMI'I-rEE
SUE BENHAM, Chair
DAVID COUCH
JACQUIE SULLIVAN
By: ROBERT M. SHERFY, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: JOHNNY M. BERUMEN VS. CITY OF BAKERSFIELD, ET AL i NOV I 5
KCSC Case No. 2458-8-RJA
DEFENSE VERDICT FOR THE CITY C? MANAGER'S OF'*
The City Attorney's Office is pleased to inform the Legislative and Litigation
Committee that Andrew Thomson of this office obtained a verdict in favor of the City in a
jury trial in the above-entitled case. The trial concluded last week.
This is another of the police misconduct cases filed by the Faulkner attorneys.
In this case, the Plaintiff was driving a vehicle without front license plates. An
Officer of the Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop. After the vehicle
stopped, the Plaintiff got out of the vehicle and ran away. The Officer requested
assistance. The Officer who had initiated the stop determined that the vehicle the Plaintiff
was driving was stolen. Approximately 15 minutes later, the Plaintiff was located on the top
of the AC Electric business building yelling, "1 don't want to go to jail." Plaintiff, after the
incident, reported that he thought that he thought he' had a warrant for his arrest out of
Oregon for failure to appear for sentencing for grand theft.
Shortly after the Plaintiff was located on the business building, Officers Hale-and
Cox arrived at the scene. Officer Hale, a K-9 Officer, removed his dog from his vehicle and
he and Officer Cox approached the building. The Plaintiff was ordered to get off of the
building and did. As Officer Cox approached him, the Plaintiff hit the Officer, turned and
ran. At that point, because of the felony grand theft auto and the assault on the Police
Officer, Officer Hale, in an attempt to prevent the Plaintiff from escaping, released his dog.
The dog bit the Plaintiff on the left forearm and held him until the Officers could take him
into custody.
It should be noted that in this case the Plaintiff had made written settlement demand
of $15,000.00. The demand was communicated to City Attorney Bart Thiltgen and was not
accepted. As a result the matter went to trial and the City prevailed thanks to the
testimony of Officer Hale and others, as well as the fine work by Andrew Thomson.
RMS:dll
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Alan Tandy, City Manager
Patrick Flaherty, Risk Manager
Anita Heard, AIMS
Debbie Lund, Acting Administrative Assistant
S:g-it~Closing MMOs~,CT~Be rumenMmo.doc
BAKERSFIELD
Alan Tandy · City Manager
September 23, 2002
Mr. Jerry Bamnowski
Jerry's Pizza
1817 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Dear Mr. Baranowski:
Legislative and Litigation Committee Chair Sue Benham asked that I return the
enclosed photographs to you.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us at the Legislative and Litigation
Committee meeting.
Sincerely,
Trudy Slater
Administrative Analyst III
L&L\L0209231
Attachments
City of Bakersfield · City Manager's Office · 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield · California · 93301
(661) 326-3751 · Fax (661) 852-2050
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
I MEETING DATE: July 31, 2002 AGENDA SECTION: Consent Calendar
ITEM: 8. e.
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED
/-%
FROM: Bart J. Thiltgen, City Attorney DEPARTMENT HEAD ~
DATE: July 18, 2002 CITY A'n'ORNEY ~
CITY MANAGER ~
SUBJECT: Taxi Driver's Permit Appeal Process
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends referral to the Legislative and Litigation Committee.
BACKGROUND:
The current section 5.50.300 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code provides for a revocation or
suspension of a taxi driver's permit under certain specified circumstances, together with an appeal process
to the City Council in the event such a suspension or revocation is ordered by the Chief of Police. In an effort
to streamline the meetings of the City Council, combined with a perceived need to amend the Code to provide
more direction to the Chief of Police, a draft ordinance has been prepared.
Staff recommends Council refer this issue to the Legislative and Litigation Committee for review.
BJT:las
JU31CA2.CC
July 18, 2002, 10:07am
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
5,50.300 OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO TAXI'DRIVER PERMITS
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
SECTION 1~
Section 5.50.300 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
5.50.300. Driver's permit - Revocation or suspension - Appeal - Hearing.
A. 1. The chief of police may summarily revoke or suspend any driver's permit
issued under the provisions of this chapter; provided that the chief has knowledge that the
holder thereof, either before or after issuance of the driver's permit, made misrepresentations
on the application, has been convicted of violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or the
applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions
or duties of the business for which the application is made, including, but not limited to, a
violation of the Controlled Substance Act, or of assault, battery,, pandering, prostitution,
pimping, theft, driving vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants or narcotics, reckless
driving, or a.violation of any law involving moral turpitude.
2. It is unlawful for anyperson to drive, operate or be in charge of any vehicle
governed or affected by this chapter during the time that the driver's permit has been
suspended or after the same has been revoked.
B. Any driver who may be aggrieved by the action of the chief of police in
suspending or revoking the driver's permit or temporary driver's permit, or any applicant who
may be aggrieved by the permit denial by the chief of police, may within ten days from such
denial, suspension or revocation, make written objection to the City Manager stating the
grounds for grievance, whereupon the City Mar~ager shall fix a date for hearing such
objections, giving written notice thereof to such applicant, and upon such hearing may sustain,
suspend or overrule the decision of the chief of police, which decision of the City Manager
shall be final and conclusive. Such order of suspension or revocation by the chief of police
shall remain in full force and effect unless and until acted upon and reversed or modified by
the City Manager.
Page 1 of 2
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the Bakersfield
Municipal Code and shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after the date of its
passage.
.......... 000 ..........
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by the
Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on by the
following vote: '
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER CARSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, Cou~H, HANSON, SULLiVAN, SALVAGGiO
NOES: COUNCIl_MEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER
CITY CLERK and EX OFFICIO of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L. HALL
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BART J. THILTGEN
City Attorney
By:
ALAN D. DANIEL
Deputy City Attorney
ADD:isc
S:",COUNCIL\Ords\TaxiPermits. Amend5.50.3OO.wpd '
Page 2 of 2
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
5.50.300 OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO TAXI DRIVER PERMITS
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 5.50.300 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
5.50,300, Driver's permit - Revocation or suspension - Appeal - Hearing.
A. 1. The chief of police may summarily revoke or suspend any driver's permit
issued under the provisions of this chapter; provided thathe the chief has knowledge that the
holder thereof, either before or after issuance of ,his the driver's permit, made
misrepresentations on the application, has been convicted of violating any of the provisions
ofthischa er, or,,~o,.,~,,~.v,,,,,,..,~,~,_,,,:,,~,~,,~,,_,, ,,,~,,,,.,,~,,,.,,,,.,,,~ny ,,,~
u, prOViSiOF~S -~ '~' '
"' .... ^'--~--"~ De the applicant has been
convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of the
business for which the application is made, including, but not limited to, a violation of the
Controlled Substance Act, or of assaUlt, battery, pandering, prostitution, pimping, theft, driving
vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants or narcotics, reckless driving, or any' ct,her
violation of any law involving moral turpitude.
2. It is unlawful for any person to drive, operate or be in charge of any vehicle
governed or affected by this chapter during the time that his the driver's permit has been
suspended or after the same has been revoked.
B. Any driver who may be aggrieved by the action of the chief of police in
suspending or revoking h:,s the driver's permit or temporary driver's permit, or any applicant
who may be aggrieved by the permit denial by the chief of police of ,his app',",cat:,o,~, may within
ten days from such denial, suspension or revocation, make written objection to the
-: ......... :' City Manager ~ stating the grounds for grievance whereupon the
~,,~IL,)' ~,,~t,,~l Ik,~ll
,
count?, City Manager shall fix a date for hearing such objections, giving written notice thereof
to such applicant, and upon such hearing may sustain, suspend or overrule the decision of the
chief of police, which such decision of the City Manager shall be final and conclusive. Such
order of suspension or revocation by the chief of police, shall remain in full force and effect
unless and until acted upon and re'versed or modified by the dry cou,ncll City Manager.
Page 1 of 2
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the Bakersfield
Municipal Code and shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after the date of its
passage.
.......... 000 ..........
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by the
Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on by the
following vote: '
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER C~,RSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, COUCH, HANSON, SULLIVAN, SALVAGGIO
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER
CITY CLERK and EX OFFICIO of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L, HALL
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BART J. THILTGEN
City Attorney
By:
ALAN D. DANIEL
Deputy City Attorney
ADD:!sc
S:\COU NCIL\Ords' TzxiPermits.Amend5.50.300Rdln.wpd
Page 2 of 2
C. Review, discussion and recommendations regarding the request from the
Kern County Homeless Collaborative to support Proposition 46 on the November
2002 Ballot
CONFIDENTIAL -
PROTECTED BY ATTORNEY-
CLIENT AND ATTORNEY
WORK-PRODUCT
PRIVILEGES
MEMORANDUM
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
May 9, 2002
TO: LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
Sue Benham - Chair
David Couch
Jacquie Sullivan
FROM: BART J. THILTGEN, City Attorney ~
SUBJECT: SCA 7
At the April 15, 2002 meeting of the Legislative and Litigation Committee, the
issue of the proposed amendment to the California Constitution related to Access to
Government Information (SCA 7) was discussed. During this discussion, I informed the
Committee it was my understanding the measure had already passed and was
scheduled to be on the November 2002 ballot. This past week, while attending the
League of California Cities City Attorney Spring Conference, I learned I had been
misinformed, and based upon such misinformation, had incorrectly advised the
Committee. SCA 7 has not been passed by the Legislature and, in fact, was recently
pulled from the Senate Governmental Organization calendar and is pending a policy
committee hearing.
Attached to this memo is a copy of a letter sent by the League to Senator John
Burton, the author of SCA 7. The League has taken the position of "Oppose Unless
Amended." The letter provides the reasons for the League's opposition, and some
proposed amendments. As you will note, some of the League's stated reasons coincide
with what has earlier been provided to the Committee for consideration.
BJT:lsc
Attachment
S:\COU NCIL\M EMOS\SCA7.GovAccess. Leg&Lit.doc
April 17, 2002
senator John Burton
Room 205, State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SCA 7 (Burton) Access to Government Information..
Notice of Oppose Unless Amended Position
Dear Senator Burton:
I am writing on behalf of Jthe League of California Cities to regrettably inform you
that we have taken an oppose unless amended position on your Senate Constitutional
Amendment 7. We are hopeful that by continuing our discussions with your staff and
the sponsors of the measure, that we may arrive at a mutually a~eeable Sunshine Act
that will encourage and preserve access to government information, while protecting
the public's trust and security.
The most monumental challenge that we have had to face since SCA 7 was
introduced is to determine the impacts that SCA 7 has on existing Public Records and
Brown Act provisions. The stated intent of the measure is clear, and one. that the
League supports: Access to information concerning the conduct of the people's
business is a fundamental and necessary right of ever person in this State. The people
have a right to attend, observe, and be heard in the meetings of elected'and appointed
public bodies, and to inspect and copy records made or received in connection with
the official business of any public body, agency, officer, or employee, or anyone
acting on their behalf
The League also supports the unmasking of political corruption that sometimes exists
behind the veil of current access exemptions. However, we believe that the provisions
set forth in SCA 7 would jeopardize cities' ability to make sound determinations
about disclosure in light of public protection.
The sponsors argue that the broad language of SCA 7 will not endanger existing open
session exceptions and public records act exemptions. On the contrary, we believe
that SCA 7 would make fundamental changes in both Acts based on new standards
and findings.
SCA 7, Burton
Pa§e 2 of 7
What exemptions are affected by SCA 7?
These new standards are much higher than existing requirements, both in terms of
new limits placed on the le~slature's power to adopt legislation providing for closed
sessions or disclosure exemptions, and in terms of findings local agencies must make
in order to legitimately apply any such exemption to a particular case. For instance,
SCA 7 appears to nullify those closed sessions relating to litigation that do not
involve "preserving public funds and resources," "protecting public safety",
"ens.uring the fair and effective administration of justice" or "protecting private
property."
In addition, SCA 7 would nullify those closed sessions relating to personnel matters
unless a (1) "private individual" includes an employee of a local agency, or (2) an
individual's constitutional right to privacy (Art I, 3 (a)) requires holding a closed
session when evaluating or considering the discipline of a government emploYee.
Certain exceptions outlined in the Public Records Act that do not fall within those
four categories would also be affected. For example:
· SCA 7 as proposed would eliminate or narrow the preliminary drafts
exemption in Government code section 6254(a) that is intended to protect
the quality of official decision making.
· SCA 7 would limit section 6254 (b) which limits closed sessions on in
pending litigation to only apply to "preserving public funds and
resources", "protecting public safety", "ensuring the fair and effective
administration of justice" or "protecting private property". Any pending
litigation that is construed to fall outside of this scope will be subject to
discussion in open session.
· SCA 7 also eliminates the exemptions that apply to personnel records
relating to "fitness" and qualifications of a variety of public 'qfficers who
are city employees. This would include psycholo~cal examinations,
physical fitness tests, evaluation of performance, disciplinary actions,
physical or psychological limitations, and any other information that is
related to fitness for duty. This means that the personnel files for the
Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and any other city
employee who has been designated an "officer" by local law, or who
exercises the duties of a public officer as those duties have been defined
by the courts
· SCA 7 would not allow for Closed session discussions regarding
performance evaluations for public, officers.
· SCA 7 would limit Section 6254(k) which recognizes limits on
disclosure in other federal or state laws, including the attorney-client
SCA 7, Burton
Page 3 of 7
privilege and the official information privilege to only apply to
"preserving public funds and resources," "protecting public safety,"
"ensuring the fair and effective administration of justice" or "protecting
private property." Any other privileges that are construed to fall outside
of this scope will'be subject to disclosure.
· SCA 7 would eliminate the balancing test set forth in Section 6255 which
allows a city to identify unique situations that have not been identified in
the law, in which the need to withhold information outweighs the
public's interest in disclosure of that information.
Under SCA 7 as proposed, statutory authority that cities have used to conduct the
public's business while balancing public rights of access, privacy concerns and their
fiduciary obligations may be limited or eliminated or remain available only at the risk
of costly litigation.
The Practical Application Problems with SCA 7
The burden on cities will be significant due to the new requirement under SCA 7
which compels cities to arrive at "particularized findings" demonstrating a substantial
probability of serious harm to the public interest that the denial will avert. Under the
Brown Act, the required particularized findings cannot be made before a closed
session without either disclosing the subject matter of the closed session or pre-
supposing the contents of the discussion in closed session.
For example, consider a city that wishes to hold a closed session to discuss whether or
not litigation should be initiated. SCA 7 requires the city to make findings
demonstrating the substantial probability of serious harm that will occur if the
discussion occurs as part of an open public meeting. How is it possible to make this
finding without disclosing (1) the facts and circumstances that are the basis of the
city's cause of action against the potential defendant; (2) the identity of the defendant;
and (3) the nature of the threat to the public safety, or to the preservation of public
funds and resources that the litigation seeks to avert? Further, how is it possible for a
city employee to determine whether or not there is a substantial probability of serious
harm to the public interest until the city council discussion occurs? The city council
may determine not to initiate the litigation because there is no serious harm to the
public interest.
Under the Public Records Act, cities will be required to cite the exemption and make
particularized findings in demonstrating the justification for nondisclosure. SCA 7
does not explain how a city could make the additional findings, and if those findings
will be sufficient to justify withholding the information.
SCA 7, Burton
Page 4 of 7
The language of SCA 7 does not clearly authorize limitations on the public's right to
attend, observe, and be heard at public meetings.
· First, section 3('0)(3) authorizes the Legislature to provide for
limitations on the right of public access "to governmental
information." Information would seem to include records but not
include meetings.
o. Then, section 3Co)(3) provides that any application of one of the
limitations "to deny rights specified in paragraph (1)" requires certain
findings. The fights specified in paragraph (1) are the fight of access
to government records and the right to attend, observe and be heard at
public meetings. This part of section 3(b)(3) §eems to conflict with the
first part.
· Finally, section 3(b)(3) requires that particularized findings be made
demonstrating a substantial probability of serious harm that the
"denial" will avert. A "denial" seems to most lo$cally refer to denial
of access to records. Section 3(b)(3) is not a clear exPression of the
intent to allow application of the limitations to deny access to records
and to hold closed sessions.
SCA 7 does not contain any guidance about the nature of the "serious harm to the
public interest" that a denial requires. SCA 7 seems to provide that disclosure of
records relating to the fair and efficient administration of justice, for example,
sometimes is in the public interest, sometimes may cause moderate harm to the public
interest, and sometimes may cause serious harm to the public interest. However,
neither anything in SCA 7, nor existing law, provides standards for how to determine
the level of harm caused to the public by the disclosure. This is, along with the
general terms of limitations set forth in section 3, are an invitation to litigation.
In addition to practically applying particularized findings, cities would 15ave to cite
why the serious harm cannot be averted by reasonable alternatives. What would be a
reasonable alternative to denying access to records pertaining to a criminal
investigation? What would be a reasonable alternative to holding a closed session to
discuss the existing facts and circumstances that may result in litigation against a
city?
SCA 7 sets up a three-part test: The record or the meeting must relate to one of the
identified areas (protect public safety or private property, etc.). Denial of that recordl
or the holding of that meeting in closed session, must be based on the substantial
probability of serious harm to the public interest. Finally, the serious harm cannot be
averted by reasonable alternatives. By the time the custodian of records-reaches the
third part of the test, s/he has determined that the record relates to one of the
identified areas; and that there is a substantial probability of serious harm to the
~' .. SCA 7, Burton
Page 5 of 7
public interest if the record is disclosed. What is a reasonable alternative to denying
access other than disclosure?
The Affects on the Deliberative Process
The core of the deliberative process privilege should be retained. The courts in at
least two cases that the sponsors cite to support SCA 7(California First Amendment
Coalition v. Wilson and Wilson v. Los Angeles Times) denied access to pre-decisional
factual material, citing the deliberative process privilege. Each of these cases
acknowledges that the privilege protects candid consideration of alternatives; allows
public officials to "think out loud," to test policy positions without concern that the
rejected ideas will become the focus of public debate; and protects the integrity of
decision-making by confirming that officials should be judged by what they decide,
not what they considered before making up their minds. There is a difference
between pre-decisional facts and the process of reaching a decision. It is not
necessary to eliminate the entire deliberative process privilege 'in order to eliminate
the exemption for pre-decisional facts.
Proposed Amendments
The League is encouraged by our lengthy discussions with the sponsors of the
measure that we may arrive at a mutually acceptable constitutional amendment.
Toward that end, the following is a list of possible amendments to address the
concerns outlined in this letter.
Protection of privacy interests (Section 3(b)(2))
1. SCA 7 provides that the Le~slature may afford the protection of information
about private individuals submitted to or obtained by the government.
AMENDMENT: Change "private individuals" to "individuals" o¥ other
phrase that clarifies that the le~slation may apply to government officers and
employees.
2. SCA 7 provides that the Legislature may not afford for the protection of
information relating to the qualifications or fitness of a person for any elective
or appointive office.
AMENDMENT: Change to state that the Legislature may not provide for the
protection of information relating to the qualifications or fitness of a person
for any elective office or any appointment to a board or commission.
3. SCA 7 relies solely on the constitutional right of privacy (Art. I, § 1) to
protect confidential information submitted to, obtained, or generated, by local
SCA 7, Burton
Page 6 of 7
government. The constitutional right of privacy does not protect certain types
of information that should remain confidential. Further, the government may
not shield confidential information from the public based upon an individual's
right to privacy regarding that information.
AMENDMENT: Clarify that in order to protect information about an
individual from public disclosure, le~slation must permit government to
maintain the confidentiality of that information.
Denial of Access to Public Records and Closed Sessions (Section 3Co)(3))
1. Section 3 Co)(3) of SCA 7 is intended to cover access to public records and
access to public meetings. The intent is not clearly set forth in the language
of the section.
AMENDMENT: Change "information" (line 2) to "records made or received
in connection with the official business of government and the public's fight
to attend, observe, and be heard at public meetings..."
2. Section 3 (b)(3) of SCA 7 provides that the Legislature can limit access to
records and the right to attend public meetings only as necessary to protect
public safety or private property; to ensure the fair and effective
administration of justice; or to prov'ide for the preservation of public funds
and resources.
AMENDMENT: Authorize the Legislature to limit access to records and the
right to attend public meetings "only as necessary to prevent serious harm to
the following public interests: protection of public safety, public health, or
private property; fair and effective administration of justice; preservation of
public funds, policies, and resources." Add other categories if necessary to
encompass existing exemptions from disclosure of public records.
3. Section 3 (b)(3) of SCA 7 provides that when a local government relies on
one of the limiting statutes (see no. 2), to deny access to a public record or to
conduct a closed session meeting, particularized findings must be made
demonstrating the substantial probability of serious harm to the public
interest if the record is disclosed or the meeting is held in public; and that this
harm cannot be averted by reasonable alternatives.
AMENDM]ENT: Replace the requirement to make particularized findings
with a requirement (a) to identify the relevant public interest (listed above);
(b) to explain why denying access to the record, or holding the closed session
is essential to preserving the relevant public interest; and (c) to state that there
SCA 7, Burton
Page 7 of 7
are no reasonable alternatives to denying the record or holding a closed .
sessions that adequately protect the identified public interest. In general,'
remove requirement to make "findings" of any kind; require a connection to
be made between the listed categories and the subject matter of the public
record or the closed session.]
4. Section 3 Co)(3) of SCA 7 provides that the decision to deny access to a
public record or hold a closed session may not be "broader in scope or longer
in duration than necessary to avert the identified harm."
AMENDMENT: Change this limitation so denial of access to a public record
or holding a closed session "is narrowly tailored to safeguard the identified
public interest."
POSSIBLE AMENDMENT: Limit the application of this provision to access
to public records.
In light of the complexities of SCA 7, the League requests that you and the sponsors
of the measure remain open to further discussion and suggestions. We look forward to
future discussions and are hopeful that with additional amendments we will arrive at a
mutually a~eeable measure. Thank you for working with us. If you have any
questions, please call Amy Brown at 916-658-8279.
Respectfully~
Amy Brown
Legislative Representative
cc: Chair and Members, Senate Governmental Organization Committ~.
Arthur Terzakis, Senate Governmental Organization Committee
Rodger Dillon, Office of Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton
Tom Newton, General Counsel, California Newspaper Publishers' Association
Terry Francke, General Counsel, California First Amendment Coalition
From: Trudy Slater
To: Kunz, Donna; Matlock, Eric; Thiltgen, Bart
Date: 3/13/02 3:44PM
Subject: Rescheduled Leg. & Lit. meeting
At Councilmember Benham's request, and with committee member concurrence, the Leg. & Lit. meeting
scheduled for March 18 is cancelled. It has been rescheduled for April 15, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. in the City
Manager's Conference Room..
CC: Parks, Jean; Tandy, Alan