February 13, 2006

1.

Approval of minutes of January 11, 2006.

Motion to approve minutes of January 11, 2006. ( Comstock / Craven )

Ayes: Knee, Comstock, Craven

2.

05021

Hearing on the status of the September 27, 2005 Order of Determination of Richard Midgett v. Controllers Office.

Speakers: Richard Midgett, Complainant; Pamela Tebo, Department of Human Services; David Curto, Director of Contracts, Department of Human Services.

After hearing from all parties in this matter the Committee did not take any action.

3.

Discussion of possible amendments to Sections 67.6 to 67.12 of the Sunshine Ordinance

1. Sec. 67.6 Conduct of Business; Time and Place for Meetings
2. Sec. 67.7 Agenda Requirements; Regular Meetings
3. Sec. 67.7-1 Public Notice Requirements
4. Sec. 67.8 Agenda Disclosures: Closed Sessions
5. Sec. 67.8-1 Additional Requirements for Closed Sessions
6. Sec. 67.9 Agendas and Related Materials: Public Records
7. Sec. 67.10 Closed Sessions; Permitted Topics
8. Sec. 67.11 Statement of Reasons for Closed Sessions
9. Sec. 67.12 Disclosure of Closed Session Discussions and Actions

Sections 67.6 to Sections 67.9 were discussed and the Administrator recorded recommended amendments.

The Committee reviewed and discussed issues of notice, publication of notice, publication and distribution of agendas, and notice of closed sessions. Additional discussion included Official News Papers in Chapter 2, Article IX of the Administrative Code regarding public notice and publication in newspapers.

In accordance with Committee consensus, Chair Knee asked Deputy City Attorney Llorente to explore the feasibility of adding a new section of the Sunshine Ordinance that combines the various notice requirements from the Sunshine Ordinance, the Charter, and the Administrative Code into one section and submit a preliminary report at the next Compliance and Amendments Committee meeting in March.

In accordance with Committee consensus, Chair Knee asked the Administrator to identify for discussion and possible action Sections 67.10 through 67.17 of the Sunshine Ordinance for the April 10, 2006 agenda, and to note that subsequent sections may be heard if time permits. Also, in addition to the regular meeting in April there will be a special meeting scheduled for April 17, 2006, solely to review possible amendments to the Sunshine Ordinance.

For the April 10 meeting the Committee will consider where to include a Sunshine Bill of Rights drafted by former Task Force Chairman James Chaffee.

4.

Report from Deputy City Attorney Llorente on Article 9, Section 2.80 – 2.81-4 of the

San Francisco Administrative Code and its possible inclusion with the Sunshine amendments

Deputy City Attorney Llorente indicated that it would be possible to move/incorporate Article 9, Section 2.80 – 2.81-4 of the San Francisco Administrative Code into the proposed changes to the Sunshine Ordinance.

Member Craven disclosed that one of her clients is an official newspaper selected to represent the City, so that should there be any discussion regarding changing the authority over which newspaper to select, procedures, or selection criteria, she would recuse herself from the discussion.

5.

Public comment on items not listed on the agenda.

Speakers: None

6.

Administrator's report.

The Administrator made the report

Speakers: None

7.

Announcements, questions, and future agenda items from Committee members.

Member Craven announced that she is speaking at Pegasus Books in Berkeley on Thursday at 7:30 PM regarding the Reporters Shield, in protecting confidential sources.

Member Comstock announced that PBS NOW will have a special program regarding Sunshine Week on March 17. Chair Knee indicated that NOW usually airs in San Francisco at 10 PM on KQED Channel 9

Chair Knee announced that the annual James Madison Awards dinner of the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California Chapter, will take place on Thursday, March 16, at Sinbad's Restaurant in San Francisco. The awards are for persons who have furthered the cause of Sunshine and/or the First Amendment.

Member Craven provided the Administrator with the previously proposed language for Passive Meeting Bodies for inclusion in the amendments of the Sunshine Ordinance.

Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.