05-03-2011 - Request from Mayor Steve Herfert Requesting the C - Item 11 (2).doc City of West Covina
Memorandum
A G E N D A
ITEM NO. 11
DATE May 3, 2011
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM MAYOR STEVE HERFERT REQUESTING THE CITY COUNCIL’S CONSENSUS TO INSTRUCT CITY STAFF TO PREPARE A STAFF REPORT SEEKING SUPPORT FROM OUR CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS TO
INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE THE SAME LEVELS OF TRANSPARENCY OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT IS MANDATED ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council direct staff accordingly.
DISCUSSION:
Per the City Council Standing Rules, Mayor Steve Herfert is seeking the City Council’s consensus to instruct City Staff to prepare a staff report seeking support from our California
legislators to introduce legislation to require the same levels of transparency by the State of California that is mandated on local governments
Over the years, the California Legislautre or Calfiornia Elected Officials have adopted legislation or implemented policites (Brown Act, FPPC Disclosure requirements, posting on etc.)
that local municipalities are mandate to abide by to encourage transparency of local government. West Covina supports transparency at the local level, but some of the transparency
measures/policies that have been put into place or are being proposed in Sacramento by the California Legiuslatue do not apply to the State of California government agencies or elected
officials. The philosophy argued by cities is that the State of California government agencies or elected officials should be subject to the same transparency laws that they mandate
to local communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager