SUNSHINE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

3:30 p.m., City Hall, Room 406

Committee Members: Richard Knee (Chair), Allyson Washburn, James Knoebber

Call to Order: 3:30 p.m.

Roll Call: Present: Knee, Washburn
Excused: Knoebber

Agenda Changes: None

Deputy City Attorney: Frank Brass (not present)
Clerk Chris Rustom

1.		Approval of June 8, 2010, regular meeting minutes. Continued to September 14, 2010, regular meeting. Without objection.
2.	10036	Determination of jurisdiction on complaint filed by Thomas Picarello against the Single Room Occupancy Hotel Safety & Stabilization Task Force for allegedly preventing him from commenting on a proposed action item and allegedly legislating and vetting pending public matters by email. Complainant Thomas Picarello said the SRO Task Force met last month and among the items that they discussed was about families and SROs. He said he asked to speak on the subject when the discussions ended but was told by the acting-chair to do it at the Public Comment session. He said the Public Comment session is for items that are not on the agenda. He also alleged that SRO Task Force members discuss substantive policy matters amongst themselves through emails. Motion to find jurisdiction ( Washburn / Knee ) Public Comment: None. On the motion: Ayes: Washburn, Knee Motion passes.
3.		Administrator’s Report. Mr. Rustom made the report. Public Comment: None
4.		Public comment for items not listed on the agenda. Ray Hartz said he was commemorating the third anniversary of his interfaces with the Task Force. He said three years ago he came to the Complaint Committee to ask for copies of police procedures from the City Attorney’s Office after failing to get it from the Police Department. He said Sue Cauthen, the chair of the committee, forced him into withdrawing his complaint and agree to accept two documents which the City Attorney’s Office decided to provide. He then thanked members for being one more agency that was taking the side of the City. He said the bar has been set very high for complainants who have to face well-trained attorneys to win their cases. Thomas Picarello said the Task Force’s website should provide information on the status of the proposed amendments.
5.		Announcements, comments, questions, and future agenda items from Committee members. Member Washburn wanted to know if a brief on the proposed amendments could be posted on the Website. Mr. Rustom said it was possible. Chair Knee said he would provide the verbiage.
Adjournment                                                                                      The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.
This meeting has been audio recorded and is on file in the office of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force