pages: OpenGovernmentCommission/2015-03-30.pdf, 3
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OpenGovernmentCommission | 2015-03-30 | 3 | Chair Aguilar stated that she is not sure why the second sentence is included; she hesitates because the ordinance has gone through a committee and was accepted by the City Council; she is a hesitant to just start deleting things; stated she does not know that she would necessarily take out the sentences. In response to Commissioner Dieter's inquiry about the last sentence, Chair Aguilar stated the language is new. In response to Commissioner Dieter's further inquiry, Chair Aguilar responded the second sentence is being discussed. Commissioner Dieter stated in order to reach a compromise she does not mind keeping the language in, as long as that last sentence about policy bodies is removed. Vice Chair Foreman stated that he does not have a problem with said suggestion; the second sentence is meaningless to him; drafters work can be respected; however, he questions why is the ordinance being reviewed if so much respect is given that the Commission cannot improve it; he respects her view and would agree to keep everything except the new sentence. Chair Aguilar inquired if the Assistant City Attorney added the last sentence for a reason. The Assistant City Attorney responded in the affirmative; provided an example of the City Council adopting a particular policy and a Commission writing a letter to an outside agency that not necessarily contradicted what the Council had done, but certainly raised an issue; there was some concern expressed at the Council meeting about whether or not Commissions should do so; there is not an adopted Council policy concerning the matter; the Section would address the matter, which does not have to be in the Sunshine Ordinance; the City Council could adopt a standalone policy; the Sunshine Ordinance seems an appropriate place to put it, is not necessarily the only place it has to go; if the Commission feels the matter might be better addressed somewhere else then staff will take that recommendation. Commissioner Dieter stated raising the matter with Council is a good idea; that she recalls the letter was to the Mayor, not an outside agency; the City Council can address the policy, but she would not want to make it part of the Sunshine Ordinance. The Assistant City Attorney stated that he drafted the language so it would not apply to a Commission writing to the Council; it is directed to an outside agency or organization. Chair Aguilar stated that is what it says. Commissioner Dieter stated the language achieves prohibiting appointed policy bodies from writing letters to outside agencies or organizations that contradicts a Council policy Meeting of the Open Government Commission March 30, 2015 3 | OpenGovernmentCommission/2015-03-30.pdf |