Sunshine law drafted by citizens to be on council agenda
From Sunshine Review
13 November 2008
Berkeley Councilman Kriss Worthington said that he will put the citizen drafted sunshine law on the December 8 city council agenda. If the council does not approve it, or only approves a watered-down version of it, group members say they plan on getting it on the 2010 ballot as an initiative. It was drafted as an alternative to one written by the city attorney.[1]
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[edit] The process
Once the draft is on the council agenda, Worthington said he will request City Manager Phil Kamlarz to present the document to the public and city officials. Then, Kamlarz's office and the city attorney would submit comments on it within a month. Afterward, the council could hold a discussion and vote on the measure.
At a public meeting, the councilman said, “I think because the general public is served by having strong enforcement, politicians might not think it is in their best interest, because they might end up getting caught. But I am hopeful our City Council will approve a strong ordinance."[1]
[edit] Years in the making
Worthington and the citizen's group have been working on a sunshine ordinance for years. Oakland and San Francisco have already approved similar ordinances.
The citizens group is comprised of members from Berkeleyans Organized for Library Defense (SuperBold), the League of Women Voters, former mayor Shirley Dean, lawyers, and community activists.[1]
