pages: OpenGovernmentCommission/2021-04-05.pdf, 22
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OpenGovernmentCommission | 2021-04-05 | 22 | and figure out exactly what bills might fall within various headings of the City's abstract goals; it is important to realize that there is no way the City Council agenda could possibly include references to each bill that the City might support or oppose under the umbrella; Senator Skinner, who represents Alameda, is a co-author with Senator Weiner of San Francisco; it is clear that the legislative agenda is considering a new plank to the public safety and homeland security platform, which includes support policing and racial equity outcomes consistent with actions taken by City Council throughout the year; it is called out and puts people on even further notice; it addresses the issue of broadening the support of reform measures; SB 271 was actually mentioned before it was open to public comment and there was quite a bit of notice; lots of metaphors are used; she believes the road map one is a good way to frame the way to look at the Brown Act and the Sunshine Ordinance; she will say that maybe a legislative agenda should not be on the Consent Calendar and there are all kinds of things that can be suggested when talking about the spirit of open government, but does not think making those suggestions through the vehicle of addressing specific complaints is the best approach; she hopes that when the Commission looks at the ordinance and recommendations, the Commission can weave in some language and contemplate what can be done to advance the issues outside of deciding specific complaints; with respect to this specific complaint, she would find it unfounded. Commissioner Reid concurred with Commissioner Chen; stated that she also views the legislative agenda as generic; nothing really specific is included; watching the February 16th meeting, it was odd that something specific was added on the fly; it did not matter what the bill was; the public did not have time to understand what was discussed; that is where she is landing; it is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the public is aware and the government is being transparent, that they have the opportunity to participate and express their opinion; she would argue that the gentleman that did speak was not from Alameda or a community member; in fact, he was a registered lobbyist; the procedure was not sufficiently transparent to allow the public the right to know and participate; the Commission should be striving for that; her suggestion would be to revisit and agendize the item to allow the public to come out and comment, which is he beauty of democracy. Vice Chair Shabazz stated that he hopes he would still be treated as a community member should he ever move out of Alameda; he is ready to move on the item; he appreciates Commissioner Reid's points regarding community members having knowledge of things and the sense of transparency and also about participation; the instance of the community member who advocated for the inclusion of a specific piece of legislation is an example of people being able to participate; it also provided an opportunity to clarify for those not aware of some of these issues related to police reform; he does echo Commissioner Chen's point and wonders if there is merit related to the concern about how things are noticed; he appreciates Commissioner LoPilato's metaphor of the road map; it seems there are some attempts to use the complaints as a way to address other issues; the Commission should identify issues and either come back with reports or advise Council on how to improve the application of the Sunshine Ordinance. Meeting of the Open Government Commission April 5, 2021 22 | OpenGovernmentCommission/2021-04-05.pdf |