Thank you for your interest in the implementation of the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance.

The Sunshine Ordinance adopted by the citizens of the City & County of San Francisco declares that:

1. Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.
2. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business. This ordinance will assure that their deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review.

The role of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force is to advise the Board of Supervisors and provide information to other City departments on appropriate ways in which to implement the Ordinance. The Task Force is responsible for developing appropriate goals to ensure the practical and timely implementation of the Ordinance and to report to the Board on practical or policy problems encountered in the administration of the Ordinance.

If you have encountered problems regarding compliance with the Ordinance, the Public Records Act or the Ralph M. Brown (Public Meetings) Act, we ask that you fill out the attached complaint form. Please deliver the form to Donna L. Hall, Administrator of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4683.

We attempt to resolve complaints informally where possible, through the affected departments and the City Attorney's office. Matters which cannot be adequately resolved, or matters which involve substantial policy considerations, may be set for hearing at a Task Force meeting. The Task Force meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 408.

Donna L. Hall, Administrator

SUNSHINE ORDINANCE COMPLAINT

Complaint against which Department or Commission__________________________________

Name of individual contacted at Department or Commission____________________________

_____Alleged violation public records access

_____Alleged violation of public meeting. Date of meeting_______________

Sunshine Ordinance Section__________________________________________________
(If known, please cite specific provision being violated)

Please describe alleged violation. Use additional paper if needed. Please attach any relevant documentation supporting your complaint.

Do you wish a public hearing before the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force?_____yes_____no.

(Optional)
Your name________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________Date_______________

Telephone_____________________ If anonymous, please let us know how to contact you.

Signature___________________________________

Filing a Complaint with the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force

1. You may fill out a Complaint Form, or you may send your own letter filing a formal complaint. The complaint is filed with the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., Room 244, San Francisco CA 94102-4689. (Fax # 415 554 7854)
2. Once your complaint is received, the Complaint Committee of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force reviews the complaint to determine if the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force has jurisdiction.

• Jurisdiction is defined as those items the Task Force may address as outlined in the Sunshine Ordinance

3. Once the Complaint Committee completes its consideration, the complainant is notified of the Committee’s decision.
4. If the Complaint Committee finds no jurisdiction over the alleged violations in the complaint, the complainant could request reconsideration before the full Task Force at its next scheduled meeting. Should the full Task Force find jurisdiction, a full hearing on the merits would be scheduled.
5. If the Complaint Committee finds the Task Force has jurisdiction, the complainant, respondent, and the Task Force Members are notified in writing of the jurisdiction decision, and the specific matters, which the Complaint Committee has found jurisdiction.
6. The complaint is then scheduled for a hearing before the next meeting of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.
7. If additional information is to be submitted from the complainant or respondent, the additional material must be submitted to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Administrator at least seven days before the scheduled hearing before the Task Force.

• If the complainant submits any additional material after the seven day deadline, the complainant will be informed that
  • The Task Force may proceed without considering the new material, or
  • The complainant may waive the 45-day time line set and continue the hearing to the next Task Force meeting (the question to be the matter on which the Complaint Committee has granted jurisdiction), or
  • The complainant may withdraw the complaint and file a new complaint to be considered by the Complaint Committee, or
  • The complainant may proceed to hearing with their current complaint and file a new complaint and use the new information to support the freestanding separate complaint.

8. After the Task Force completes its public hearing, the Task Force would make an Order of Determination regarding the complaint.
9. For further information, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Adele Destro, Interim Administrator at  (415) 554-7724.