Resolution 12248CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 12248
SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 1538
ENACTING MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE BROWN ACT
WHEREAS, California State Senate is now considering SB
1538 to reform the Ralph M. Brown Act; and
WHEREAS, reform of the Ralph M. Brown Act is needed to
make local government more responsive to the citizenry; and
WHEREAS, open government helps to foster strong community
support; and
WHEREAS, this City recognizes the strong role that the
citizens play in shaping the future of the community; and
WHEREAS, public participation in the decision-making
process of government is essential to maintaining our democratic
system; and
WHEREAS, SB 1538 will require that public business be
conducted openly so citizens can know what their representatives
are always doing in their behalf; and
WHEREAS, decisions made behind closed doors and without
public input run contrary to the democratic foundation of this
nation; and
WHEREAS, SB 1538 will decry the clandestine secret
meetings held by public institutions; and
WHEREAS, SB 1538 will further enforce the Ralph M. Brown
Act that generally embodies the principle of open meetings through
specifying certain notice requirements and meeting requirements;
and
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act is an essential tool in
maintaining good government;
WHEREAS, the most important part being the bill would
change the absurd burden of proof standard to convict public
officials of misdemeanors;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of
the City of Alameda hereby supports SB 1538 which would enact
substantive reforms to the Ralph M. Brown Act;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Alameda urges all members of the State Legislature to vote in
favor of SB 1538;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Alameda urges Governor Pete Wilson to sign into law S.B. 1538;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby
instructed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the State
Assembly, State Senate, and Governor Pete Wilson in Sacramento
requesting that they take all action necessary to pass SB 1538.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the
City of Alameda in regular meeting assembled on the 19th day of
May , 1992, by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia and
President Withrow - 3.
Councilmembers Lucas and Roth - 2.
None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
official seal of said City this 20th day of May , 1992.
Diane c. Felsch, City Clerk
City of Alameda