Hey, City: Secret Housing Meetings are Illegal

Dear Novato City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, etc.,

Below is the link to a video we produced for the County of Marin so that everyone serving on a local Board or Commission can understand the Brown Act, California's open meeting law.

I don't think any of you every saw this because you obviously don't understand the law.

The express purpose of the Brown Act is to assure that local government agencies conduct the public's business openly and publicly. This includes the Novato City Council. 

It was enacted in 1953 because city councils and other local government bodies took to secret "workshops" and "study sessions" so they could avoid public scrutiny.

In Novato, public scrutiny is the vanguard of community activity these days, and yet, somehow, you forgot that as you attempted to meet in secret concerning a senior affordable housing issue. Are you daft? One astute citizen caught the wrongdoing and now the Marin County District Attorney has chastised you accordingly — though it could have been worse with Novato being slammed with an expensive fine. You know, our cash strapped city — but for the $15 million-plus city offices you want to build against the wishes of most citizens.

The video dramatizes various scenarios where folks run afoul of the law. It's very easy to understand and I am sure this will help you avoid another run in.

To learn how the Brown Act of California applies to city and counties boards and commissions, watch this short video.