Chapter 2.20 PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC RECORDS

Words or phrases in this chapter shall be defined pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code Section 54950 et seq. and the Public Records Act, Government Section 6250 et seq., unless otherwise specified as follows:
A. “Agenda” means the agenda of a local body which has scheduled the meeting. The agenda shall meet the requirements of Government Code Section 54954.2, except that the timing requirements of this chapter shall control. For closed sessions, the agenda shall meet the requirements set forth in Government Code Section 54954.5. The agenda shall contain a brief, general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed during the meeting and shall avoid the use of abbreviations or acronyms not in common usage and terms whose meaning is not known to the general public. The agenda may refer to explanatory documents, including but not limited to, correspondence or reports, in the agenda-related material. A description of an item on the agenda is adequate if it is sufficiently clear and specific to alert a person of average intelligence and education whose interests are affected by the item that he or she may have reason to attend the meeting or seek more information on the item.
B. “Agenda-related materials” means the agenda, all reports, correspondence and any other document prepared and forwarded by staff to any local body, and other documents forwarded to the local body, which provide background information or recommendations concerning the subject matter of any agenda item. Notwithstanding the foregoing, agenda related materials shall not include:
1. The written text or visual aids for any oral presentation so long as such text or aids are not substituted for, or submitted in lieu of, a written report that would otherwise be required to meet the filing deadlines of this chapter; and
2. Written amendments or recommendations from a member of a local body pertaining to an item contained in agenda related materials previously filed pursuant to Section 2.20.070 or Section 2.20.080.
C. “Agenda subscriber” means any person or organization who requests in writing, on an annual basis, the receipt of an agenda or agenda-related materials as specified in Section 2.20.090 of this chapter.
D. “City” means the city of Oakland.
E. “Local body” means:
1. The Oakland City Council, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, and the Board of Port Commissioners;
2. Any board, commission, task force or committee which is established by City Charter, chapter or by motion or resolution of the City Council, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency or the Board of Port Commissioners;
3. Any advisory board, commission or task force created and appointed by the Mayor and which exists for longer than a twelve (12) month period; and,
4. Any standing committee of any body specified in subsections (E)(1)(2) or (3).
“Local body” shall not mean any congregation or gathering which consists solely of employees of the city of Oakland, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, or the Port of Oakland.
F. “Meeting” means any of the following:
1. A congregation of a majority of the members of any local body in which any item within its subject matter jurisdiction is heard, discussed or deliberated;
2. Any use of direct communication, personal intermediaries or communications media to cause a majority of the members of a local body to become aware of an item of business and of the views or positions of other members with respect thereto, and to negotiate consensus thereon; and,
3. Any meal or social gathering of a majority of the members of a local body immediately before, during, or after a meeting of a local body.
4. “Meeting” shall not include any of the following:
a. Individual contacts or conversations between a member of a local body and any other person;
b. The attendance of a majority of members of a local body at a conference, or at any open a publicized meeting or gathering organized by a person or organization other than the local body, to address a topic of local community concern and, provided that a majority of the members of a local body refrains from discussing among themselves, other than as a part of the scheduled program, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of that local body;
c. The attendance of a majority of the members of any local body at a purely social, recreational, educational or ceremonial occasion provided that a majority of the members of any local body refrains from discussing any business within the subject matter jurisdiction of the local body; and
d. The attendance of a majority of the members of a local body at a standing committee, provided that the members of the local body who are not members of the standing committee do not participate personally or through representatives.
G. “Notice” means the posting of an agenda in a location that is freely accessible to the public twenty-four (24) hours a day and as additionally specified in Section 2.20.070 and 2.20.080.
H. “On-line” means accessible by computer without charge to the user.
I. “Software or hardware impairment” means the city is unable to utilize computer software, hardware and/or network services to produce agendas, agenda related material or to post agendas on-line due to inoperability of software or hardware caused by the introduction of a malicious program (including, but not limited to, a computer virus), electrical outage affecting the city’s computer network, or unanticipated system or equipment failure. “Software or hardware impairment” may also include situations when the city is unable to access the internet due to required or necessary maintenance or the installation of system upgrades that necessitate deactivating the system network; however, the city shall make reasonable efforts to avoid a delay in the preparation, distribution, or posting of agendas and agenda related material as a result of required or necessary maintenance or installation of system upgrades.
J. “Standing committee” means any number of members of a local body which totals less than a quorum and which has a continuing subject matter jurisdiction or a meeting schedule fixed by charter, ordinance, resolution or formal action of the local body. (Ord. 12668 § 3, 2005; Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.3, 1997)

A. To the extent not inconsistent with state or federal law, a local body shall require, as a condition of any express delegation of power to any public agency, including joint powers authorities, or other person(s), whether such delegation of power is achieved by legislative act, contract, lease or other agreement, that any meeting by such a public agency or other person(s) at which an item concerning or subject to the delegated power is discussed or considered, shall be conducted pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.).
B. To the extent not inconsistent with state or federal law, a private entity that owns, operates or manages any property in which the city, Redevelopment Agency, or the Port Department has or will have an ownership interest, including a mortgage, and on which property the private entity performs a governmental function or service, shall conduct any meeting of its governing board at which an item relating to the administration of the property or the public function or service is discussed or considered subject to the following conditions:
1. Such meetings need not be formally noticed, although the time, place and nature of the gathering shall be disclosed upon inquiry by a member of the public, and any agenda actually prepared for the meeting be made available upon request;
2. Such meetings need not be conducted in any particular location to accommodate spectators, although spectators shall be permitted to observe on a space available basis consistent with legal and practical restrictions on occupancy;
3. Such business meetings need not provide opportunities for comment by spectators, although the governing board may, in its discretion, entertain questions or comments from spectators as may be relevant to the item considered; and,
4. The private entity or persons may restrict the attendance of spectators only to the specific item(s) directly relating to the administration of the property or of the public function or service and, as to such specific item(s), may prohibit the attendance of spectators during the discussion or consideration of any item that would be the permitted subject of a closed session hearing under the Ralph M. Brown Act. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.4, 1997)

A. Every local body specified in Section 2.20.030(E) shall establish by formal action the time and place for holding regular meetings and shall conduct such regular meetings in accordance with such resolution or formal action. Whenever reasonably possible local bodies specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(1) and (2) shall conduct their regular meetings on weekday evenings.
B. Regular and special meetings of legislative bodies specified in Section 2.20.030(E) shall be held within the city of Oakland except to do any of the following:
1. Comply with state or federal law or court order, or attend a judicial or administrative proceeding to which the local body is a party;
2. Inspect real or personal property which cannot be conveniently brought to Oakland, provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the real or personal property;
3. Participate in meetings or discussions of multi-agency significance that are outside Oakland. However, any meeting or discussion held pursuant to this subsection shall take place within the jurisdiction of one of the participating agencies and be noticed by the respective local body specified in this chapter; or
4. Meet outside the city of Oakland with elected or appointed officials of the United States or the State of California when a local meeting would be impractical, solely to discuss a legislative or regulatory issue affecting the city of Oakland, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency or the Port of Oakland, and over which issue the other federal or state agency has jurisdiction.
C. If a regular meeting for any local body falls on a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next scheduled regular meeting day unless otherwise noticed as a special meeting for which notice is given at least five days in advance.
D. If, because of fire, flood, earthquake or other emergency, it would be unsafe to meet in the customary location, the meetings may be held for the duration of the emergency at some other place specified by the presiding officer of the local body or his or her designee. The change of meeting site shall be announced, by the most rapid means of communication available at the time, in a notice to media organizations who have requested written notice of meetings.
E. No local body shall take any action at a meeting which occurs when a quorum of the local body becomes present at a meeting of a standing or ad hoc committee of the local body, although the committee may take action consistent with its jurisdiction and authority. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 12463 § 2, 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.6, 1997)

A. Special meetings of any local body may be called at any time by the presiding officer thereof or by a majority of the members thereof. All local bodies calling a special meeting shall provide notice by:
1. Posting a copy of the agenda in a location freely accessible to the public at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the meeting set forth in the agenda;
2. Filing a copy of the agenda and copies of all agenda-related material in the Office of the City Clerk at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the meeting set forth in the agenda; and,
3. Delivering a copy of the agenda to each member of the local body, to each local newspaper of general circulation, to each agenda subscriber, and to each media organization which has previously requested notice in writing, so that a copy of the agenda is received at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the meeting set forth in the agenda. Receipt of the agenda shall be presumed upon reasonable proof that delivery was made.
B. Local bodies specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(1) shall, in addition to the noticing requirements of this section, post a copy of the agenda for any special meeting on-line at the local body’s website at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the meeting set forth in the agenda. Failure to timely post a copy of the agenda online because of software or hardware impairment, as defined in Section 2.20.030, shall not constitute a defect in the notice for a special meeting if the local body complies with all other posting and noticing requirements.
C. Notwithstanding the requirements of 2.20.070(A) and (B), if a special meeting is called for a Monday, notice shall be deemed timely made if the filing, posting and distribution requirements of subsections (A) and (B) are made no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the preceding Friday.
D. No business other than that set forth in the agenda shall be considered at a special meeting. Each special meeting shall be held at the regular meeting place of the local body except that the local body may designate an alternative meeting location provided that such alternative location is specified in the agenda and that notice pursuant to this section is given at least ten days prior to the special meeting. This ten day notice requirement shall not apply if the alternative location is within the same building at which regular meetings of the local body occur.
E. To the extent practicable, the presiding officer or the majority of members of any local body may cancel a special meeting by delivering notice of cancellation in the same manner and to the same persons as required for the notice of such meeting.
F. Special meetings may not be noticed on the same day as a previously scheduled regular meeting that was not noticed in compliance with this chapter if the special meeting is called to consider any of the items that were included in the notice for such regular meeting. (Ord. 12668 § 4, 2005; Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 12463 § 3, 2003; Ord. 12106, 1999; Ord. 11957 § 00.7, 1997)

A. Ten Day Advance Notice Requirement for Regular Meetings of the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, Public Ethics Commission, and Their Standing Committees. The City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, Public Ethics Commission, and any of their standing committees shall provide notice before any regular meeting by:
1. Posting a copy of the agenda in a location freely accessible to the public twenty-four (24) hours a day no later than ten days before the date of the meeting;
2. Filing a copy of the agenda and all agenda-related material with the Office of the City Clerk and the Oakland main library no later than ten days before the date of the meeting; and,
3. Posting a copy of the agenda on-line at the local body’s website no later than ten days before the date of the meeting. Notwithstanding Section 2.20.080(D), the failure to timely post a copy of the agenda online because of software or hardware impairment, as defined in Section 2.20.030, shall not constitute a defect in the notice for a regular meeting, if the local body complies with all other posting and noticing requirements.
B. Supplemental Agenda and Related Materials Requirements for Regular Meetings of the City Council Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, Public Ethics Commission, and Their Standing Committees. Notwithstanding the notice provisions of 2.20.080(A), the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, Public Ethics Commission, and any of their standing committees, may amend or supplement a posted agenda or agenda-related materials no later than seventy-two (72) hours before a regular meeting and only for the following reasons or under the following conditions:
1. To add an item due to an emergency or urgency, provided the local body makes the same findings as required by Section 2.20.080(E) before taking action;
2. To delete or withdraw any item from a posted agenda; however, nothing herein shall limit the ability of a local body to delete or withdraw an item during the meeting as long as the local body permits members of the public to address the deleted or withdrawn item;
3. To provide additional information to supplement the agenda-related material previously filed with the Office of the City Clerk provided that the additional information was not known to the Mayor or staff or considered to be relevant at the time the agenda-related materials were filed. Examples of supplemental material permitted by this section are reports responding to questions or requests raised by members of a local body after posting and filing of the ten day agenda and materials, and analyses or opinions of the item by the Office of the City Attorney, City Auditor, or any member of the City Council;
4. To correct errors or omissions, or to change a stated financial amount, or to clarify or conform the agenda title to accurately reflect the nature of the action to be taken on the agenda item;
5. To consider the recommendations, referrals, minutes, modifications of or actions taken on any item heard by a standing committee of the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, and Public Ethics Commission provided that the item has not been materially changed after the committee considered the item;
6. To place an ordinance on the agenda pursuant to Oakland City Charter Section 216 because the Mayor has caused its reconsideration by the City Council under the Mayor’s power to suspend an ordinance receiving five votes; or,
7. To place an item on the agenda to allow the Mayor to cast a vote pursuant to Oakland City Charter Section 200; or
8. To continue an agendized item to the next regular meeting of the local body so long as members of the public are given an opportunity to address the local body on the item at the meeting from which the item is continued.
C. Seventy-two (72) Hour Advance Notice Requirement for Regular Meetings of All Local Bodies Other Than the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, Public Ethics Commission, and Their Standing Committees. Any local body specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(2), (3), and (4), with the exception of standing committees of the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners, and Public Ethics Commission, shall provide notice for any regular meeting in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall also file a copy of the agenda and all agenda-related material with the Office of the City Clerk at least seventy-two (72) hours before the time of any regular meeting.
D. Excuse of Sunshine Notice Requirements. If an item appears on an agenda but the local body fails to meet any of the additional notice requirements under this section, the local body may take action only if:
1. The minimum notice requirements of the Brown Act have been met; and,
2. The local body, by a two-thirds vote of those members present, adopts a motion determining that, upon consideration of the facts and circumstances, it was not reasonably possible to meet the additional notice requirements under this section and any one of the following exists:
a. The need to take immediate action on the item is required to avoid a substantial adverse impact that would occur if the action were deferred to a subsequent special or regular meeting;
b. There is a need to take immediate action which relates to federal or state legislation or the local body’s eligibility for any grant or gift; or,
c. The item relates to a purely ceremonial or commendatory action. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Board of Port Commissioners or Public Ethics Commission may excuse, by a two-thirds vote of those members present, any of the additional notice requirements imposed by Section 2.20.080 so long as the failure to meet any additional notice requirement was due to a software or hardware impairment as defined by Section 2.220.030(I) and such additional notice requirements are satisfied no later than eight days before the date of the meeting.
E. Action on Items Not Appearing on the Agenda. Notwithstanding subsection (D) of this section, a local body may take action on items not appearing on a posted agenda only if:
1. The matter is an emergency. Upon a determination by a majority vote of the local body that a work stoppage, crippling disaster or other activity exists which severely impairs public health, safety or both; or,
2. The matter is urgent. Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote by the members of the local body present at the meeting, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those present, that there is a need to take immediate action which came to the attention of the local body after the agenda was posted, and that the need to take immediate action:
a. Is required to avoid a substantial adverse impact that would occur if the action were deferred to a subsequent special or regular meeting;
b. Relates to federal or state legislation; or,
c. Relates to a purely ceremonial or commendatory action.
F. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a local body from taking action to schedule items for a future meeting to which regular or special meeting notice requirements will apply, or to distribute agenda-related materials relating to items added pursuant to 2.20.080(E) before or during a meeting.
G. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Office of the City Attorney from conforming a document to comply with technical requirements as to form and legality.
H. The Mayor, City Administrator and City Attorney in their capacities with the city and Redevelopment Agency must submit public agenda related materials to the City Clerk in sufficient time to meet the deadlines of this section and Section 2.20.070. However, the referenced officers may submit additional documents to the legislative body and the legislative body may accept the documents if the legislative body makes a finding by two-thirds vote of the members present that the additional information in the documents was not known to the officers or considered to be relevant by the officers at the time of the filing deadlines. Copies of such documents shall be made available to the public at the related meeting. This subsection shall not apply to the City Auditor, and the City Council may consider reports from the City Auditor that are presented to the Council after the deadlines specified in this chapter. Nothing in this section or in any other provision of this chapter shall be interpreted to require that the Mayor, City Administrator or City Attorney submit to the City Clerk any documents that are not public records. (Ord. 12668 § 5, 2005; Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.8, 1997)

In addition to providing access to all records which are public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code 6250 et seq.) and this ordinance, every local body specified in Section 2.20.030(E) shall make available for immediate public inspection and copying all agendas and agenda-related materials.
A. Every local body may charge a fee to agenda subscribers and media organizations to cover reasonable mailing costs of the agenda and agenda-related materials. Neither this section nor the California Public Records Act shall be construed to limit or delay the public’s right to inspect any record required to be disclosed by that act or this ordinance.
B. Every local body shall make available for immediate public inspection and copying all documents that have been distributed to a majority of its members. The right to immediate public inspection and copying provided in this section shall not include any material exempt from public disclosure under this ordinance or under state or federal law.
C. All requests by agenda subscribers to receive agendas or agenda-related materials by mail shall be made in writing and delivered to the Office of the City Clerk or, in the case of the Board of Port Commissioners, to the Secretary of the Board. The City Clerk shall maintain a list of all local bodies and shall immediately forward a copy of the written request to the appropriate local body to ensure compliance with the request. Any written request shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is filed, and must be renewed after January 1 of each year.
D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this ordinance, the failure of an agenda subscriber to timely receive the agenda or agenda-related material pursuant to this section shall not constitute grounds for invalidation of the actions of the local body taken at the meting for which the agenda or the agenda-related material was not timely received. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.9, 1997)

A. After every closed session, in addition to the required disclosures pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.1, a local body shall reconvene into open session prior to adjournment and shall disclose publicly all portions of its discussion which are not confidential. The local body may, by motion and vote in open session, elect to disclose any other information which a majority deems to be in the public interest. Any disclosure pursuant to this section shall be made through the presiding officer or such other person, present in the closed session, designated to convey the information.
B. Immediately following the closed session a local body shall publicly report any action taken in closed session and the vote or abstention of every member present thereon, as follows:
1. Real property negotiations: Approval of an agreement concerning real estate negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 shall be reported as soon as the agreement is final. If its own approval renders the agreement final, the local body shall report that approval, the substance of the agreement and the vote thereon in open session immediately. If final approval requires action from another party to the negotiations, the local body shall disclose the fact of its approval, the substance of the agreement and the body’s vote or votes thereon upon inquiry by any person, and, in any event, at the next meeting of said local body after the other party or its agent has informed the local body of its action. If notwithstanding the final approval there are conditions precedent to the final consummation of the transaction, or if there are multiple contiguous or closely located properties that are being considered for transfer, the report specified in this section need not be made until the condition has been satisfied or an agreement has been reached with respect to all the properties, or both.
2. Litigation: Direction or approval given to the local body’s legal counsel to prosecute, defend, seek or refrain from seeking appellate review or relief, or to otherwise enter as a party, intervenor or amicus curiae in any form of litigation as the result of a consultation under Government Code Section 54956.9 shall be reported in open session as soon as given, or at the first meeting after an adverse party has been served in the matter if immediate disclosure of the local body’s intentions would not be contrary to the public interest. The report shall identify the names and capacities of all parties to the litigation, the court of jurisdiction and case number, the type of case, any existing claim or order to be defended against, or any factual circumstances or contractual dispute giving rise to the litigation.
3. Settlement: If a local body accepts a settlement offer signed by an opposing party, the local body shall report its vote of approval and identify the substance of the agreement. If final approval rests with another part or with the court, the local body shall disclose its vote of approval and the substance of the agreement to any person upon inquiry as soon as the settlement becomes final, but in no case later than the next meeting following final approval of settlement. A local body shall neither solicit nor agree to any term in a settlement agreement which would preclude the release, upon request, of the text of the settlement agreement itself and any related documentation communicated to or received from the adverse party or parties. Where the disclosure of documents in settled litigation could affect litigation on a closely related case, the report, settlement agreement and any documents described in this section need not be disclosed until the closely related case is settled or otherwise finally concluded.
C. Reports required to be made pursuant to this section may be made orally or in writing. Copies of any contracts, settlement agreements, or other documents related to the items or transactions that were finally approved or adopted in closed session and which contain the information required to be disclosed under this section shall be made available for inspection and copying, upon request, at the time the report is made or after any substantive amendments have been retyped into the document.
D. A written summary of the information required to be reported immediately pursuant to this section, or documents containing that information, shall be made available for inspection and copying by the close of business on the next business day following the meeting. Written notice that such a written summary or supporting documentation is available as to every reported document shall be posted the next business day following the meeting in the place where the meting agendas of the local body are usually posted.
E. Action taken in closed session which is not immediately disclosable under this section shall be disclosed and noticed under the procedures set forth in Section 2.20.130(D) at such time as disclosure is required. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.13, 1997)

A. Every agenda for every regular or special meeting shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address a local body on items of interest to the public that are within the local body’s subject matter jurisdiction, provided that no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by Government Code Section 54954.2(b). The agenda of local bodies need not provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the local body on any item that has already been considered by a committee, composed exclusively of members of the local body, at a meeting in which members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee before or during the committee’s consideration of the item, unless the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, as determined by the local body.
B. Every agenda for regular or special meetings at which action is proposed to be taken on an item shall provide an opportunity for each member of the public to directly address the body concerning that item before taking action. The presiding officer of any local body may request speakers representing similar views to designate a spokesperson in the interest of time. Nothing shall prohibit a local body from adopting rules for allocating additional time to a speaker who desires to speak on multiple agenda items so that the speaker shall address all items at one time before the local body’s consideration of those items.
C. Every local body shall adopt a rule providing that each person wishing to speak on an item shall be permitted to speak once based upon previously adopted time constraints which are reasonable and uniformly applied. It shall be the policy of the city that all speakers be entitled to a minimum of two minutes of speaking time per agenda item, subject to the discretion of the presiding officer of the local body. The presiding officer shall announce publicly all reasons justifying any reduction in speaker time. The stated reasons shall be based at least on a consideration of the time allocated or anticipated for the meeting, the number and complexity of agenda items, and the number of persons wishing to address the local body.
D. No local body shall abridge or prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs or services of the local body or agency, or of any other aspect of its proposals or activities, or of the acts or omissions of the local body, even if the criticism implicates the performance of one or more public employees. Nothing in this subsection shall confer any privilege or protection beyond that which is otherwise provided by law. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.15, 1997)

A. All local bodies specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(1) and (2) and their standing committees shall record the minutes for each regular and special meeting convened under the provisions of this ordinance. At a minimum, the minutes shall state the time the meeting was called to order, the names of the members attending the meeting, a one-sentence summary of, and the roll call vote on, each matter considered at the meeting, the time the local body began and ended any closed session, those members of the public who spoke on each matter if the speakers identified themselves, and the time the meeting was adjourned. The draft minutes of each meeting shall be available for inspection and copying upon request no later than ten business days after the meeting. The officially adopted minutes shall be available for inspection and copying upon request no later than five business days after the meeting at which the minutes are adopted.
B. Every local body specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(1) shall make a visual and audio recording of every open meeting. Local bodies specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(2) and (4) shall audio tape each regular and special open meeting and may make a visual recording of any meeting. Any recording of any open meeting shall be a public record subject to inspection and copying and shall not be erased, deleted or destroyed for at least four years, provided that if during that four-year period a written request for inspection or copying of any recording is made, the recording shall not be erased, deleted or destroyed until the requested inspection or copying has been accomplished. Inspection of any such recording shall be provided without charge on a player or computer made available by the local body. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every local body specified in Section 2.20.030(E)(1) shall permanently maintain all recordings of all meetings. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.16, 1997)

Release of oral public information shall be accomplished as follows:
A. Every Agency director for the city and Redevelopment Agency, and department head for the Port shall designate a person or persons knowledgeable about the affairs of the respective agency or department, to facilitate the inspection and copying of public records and to provide oral public information about agency or department operations, plans, policies, and positions. The name of every person so designated under this section shall be filed with the City Clerk and posted online.
B. It shall be the duty of every designated person or persons to provide information on a timely and responsive basis to those members of the public who are not requesting information from a specific person. It shall also be the duty of the person or persons so designated to assist members of the public in identifying those public records they wish to obtain pursuant to Government Code Section 6253.1. This section shall not be interpreted to curtail existing informal contacts between employees and members of the public when these contacts are occasional, acceptable to the employee and the department, not disruptive of his or her operational duties and confined to accurate information not confidential by law.
C. Public employees shall not be discouraged from or disciplined for the expression of their personal opinions on any matter of public concern while not on duty, so long as the opinion is not represented as that of the agency or department and does not materially misrepresent the agency or department position. Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide rights to public employees beyond those recognized by law or agreement, or to create any new private cause of action or defense to disciplinary action. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.21, 1997)

Notwithstanding any right or duty to withhold certain information under the California Public Records Act or other law, the following shall govern specific types of requests for documents and information:
A. Drafts and Memoranda. No completed preliminary drafts or memoranda shall be exempt from disclosure under Government Code Section 6254(a) if said completed preliminary draft or memorandum has been retained in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to law or agency or department policy. Completed preliminary drafts and memoranda concerning contracts, memoranda of understanding or other matters subject to negotiation and pending a local body’s approval need not be subject to disclosure until final action has been taken.
B. Litigation Material. Unless otherwise privileged or made confidential by law, records of all communications between a local body’s representatives and the adverse party shall be subject to public inspection and copying, including the text and terms of any settlement agreement, once the pending litigation has been settled or finally adjudicated.
C. Personnel Information. None of the following shall be exempt from disclosure under Government Code Section 6254(c):
1. Job pool information, to the extent such information is compiled for reporting purposes and does not permit the identification of any particular individual. Such job pool information may include the following:
a. Sex, age and ethnic group;
b. Years of graduate and undergraduate study, degree(s) and major or discipline;
c. Years of employment in the private and/or public sector;
d. Whether currently employed in the same position for another public agency;
e. Other non-identifying particulars as to experience, credentials, aptitudes, training or education entered in or attached to a standard employment application form used for the position in question.
2. The professional biography or curriculum vitae of every employee who has provided such information to the city, Redevelopment Agency or the Board of Port Commissioners excluding the home address, home telephone number, social security number, date of birth, and marital status of the employee.
3. The job description of every employment classification.
4. The exact gross salary and paid benefits available to every public employee.
5. Any adopted memorandum of understanding between the city or Board of Port Commissioners and a recognized employee organization.
D. Law Enforcement Information. The Oakland Police Services Agency shall cooperate with all members of the public making requests for law enforcement records and documents under the California Public Records Act or other applicable law. Records and documents exempt from disclosure under the California Records Act pertaining to any investigation, arrest or other law enforcement activity shall be disclosed to the public to the full extent permitted by law after the District Attorney or court determines that a prosecution will not be sought against the subject involved or the statute of limitations for filing charges has expired, whichever occurs first. Information may be redacted from such records and documents and withheld if, based upon the particular facts, the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Such redacted information may include:
a. The names of juvenile witnesses or suspects;
b. Personal or otherwise private information related or unrelated to the investigation if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
c. The identity of a confidential source;
d. Secret investigative techniques or procedures;
e. Information whose disclosure would endanger law enforcement personnel, a witness, or party to the investigation; or
f. Information whose disclosure would endanger the successful completion of an investigation where the prospect of enforcement proceedings is likely.
2. The Oakland Police Services Agency shall maintain a record, which shall be a public record and which shall be separate from the personnel records of the agency, which reports the number of citizen complaints against law enforcement agencies or officers, the number and types of cases in which discipline is imposed and the nature of the discipline imposed. This record shall be maintained in a format which assures that the names and other identifying information of individual officers involved is not disclosed directly or indirectly.
E. Contracts, Bids and Proposals. Contracts, contract bids, responses to requests for proposals and all other records of communications between the city, Redevelopment Agency and Board of Port Commissioners and individuals or business entities seeking contracts shall be open to inspection and copying following the contract award or acceptance of a contract offer. Nothing in this provision requires the disclosure of a person’s net worth or other proprietary financial information submitted for qualification for a contract until and unless that person is awarded the contract. All bidders and contractors shall be advised that information covered by this subdivision will be made available to the public upon request.
F. Budgets and Other Financial Information. The following shall not be exempt from disclosure:
1. Any proposed or adopted budget for the city, Redevelopment Agency and the Port Department, including any of their respective agencies, departments, programs, projects or other categories, which have been submitted to a majority of the members of the City Council, Redevelopment Agency or Board of Port Commissioners or their standing committees.
2. All bills, claims, invoices, vouchers or other records of payment obligations, as well as records of actual disbursements showing the amount paid, the payee and the purpose for which payment is made, other than payments for social or other services whose records are confidential by law. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.23, 1997)

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to the requirements of this section, a written request to inspect or obtain copies of public records that is submitted to any department or agency or to any local body shall be satisfied no later than three business days unless the requestor is advised within three business days that additional time is needed to determine whether:
1. The request seeks disclosable public records or information;
2. The requested records are in the possession of the agency, department or local body;
3. The requested records are stored in a location outside of the agency, department or local body processing the request;
4. The requested records likely comprise a voluminous amount of separate and distinct writings;
5. Reasonably involves another agency, department or other local or state agency that has a substantial subject matter interest in the requested records and which must be consulted in connection with the request; or,
6. There is a need to compile data, to write programming language or a computer program or to construct a computer report to extract data.
B. All determinations made pursuant to Section 2.20.230(A)(1)-(6) shall be communicated in writing to the requestor within seven days of the date of the request. In no event shall any disclosable records be provided for inspection or copying any later than fourteen (14) days after the written determination pursuant to 2.20.230(A)(1)-(6) is communicated to the requestor. Additional time shall not be permitted to delay a routine or readily answerable request. All written requests to inspect or copy documents within three business days must state the words “Immediate Disclosure Request” across the top of the first page of the request and on any envelope in which the request is transmitted. The written request shall also contain a telephone number, email or facsimile number whereby the requestor may be contacted. The provisions of Government Code Section 6253 shall apply to any written request that fails to state “Immediate Disclosure Request” and a number by which the requestor may be contacted.
C. An Immediate Disclosure Request is applicable only to those public records which have been previously distributed to the public, such as past meeting agendas and agenda-related materials. All Immediate Disclosure Requests shall describe the records sought in focused and specific language so they can be readily identified.
D. The person seeking the information need not state a reason for making the request or the use to which the information will be put. (Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.24, 1997)

A. Duties: In the implementation of this ordinance, the Public Ethics Commission shall:
1. Advise the City Council and the Board of Port Commissioners and provide information to other city departments and local bodies on appropriate ways in which to implement this ordinance with a priority on simple, standard procedures.
2. Assist in citywide training for implementing the ordinance.
3. Develop and maintain an administrative process for review and enforcement of this ordinance, among which may include the use of mediation to resolve disputes arising under this ordinance. No such administrative review process shall preclude, delay or in any way limit a person’s remedies under the Brown Act or Public Records Act.
4. Propose amendments to the City Council of this ordinance as needed.
5. Report to the City Council on any practical or policy problems encountered in the administration of this chapter.
B. Enforcement.
1. Upon the conclusion of the administrative review process, as implemented pursuant to subsection (A)(3) herein, any person may institute proceedings for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, or writ of mandate in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce his or her rights under this chapter.
2. A court may award costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the plaintiff in an action brought pursuant to this section where it is found that a local body has violated this ordinance. The costs and fees shall be paid by the local body and shall not become a personal liability of any public officer or employee of the local body.
3. If the litigation is judged to be frivolous by the court, the defendant local body may assert its right to be paid reasonable court costs and attorneys’ fees.
C. Mediation.
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person whose request to inspect or copy public records has been denied by any local body, agency or department, may demand immediate mediation of his or her request with the Executive Director of the Public Ethics Commission, or some mutually agreed person who agrees to volunteer his or her time, serving as mediator.
2. Mediation shall commence no later than ten days after the request for mediation is made, unless the mediator determines the deadline to be impracticable. The local body, agency or department shall designate a representative to participate in the mediation. Nothing shall prevent the parties from mediating any dispute by telephone.
3. The mediator shall attempt to resolve the dispute to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. The mediator’s recommendations shall not be binding on any party. All statements made during mediation shall not be used or considered for any purpose in any subsequent or related proceeding.
D. Cure and Correction.
1. Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent a local body from curing or correcting an action challenged on grounds that a local body violated any material provision of this chapter. A local body shall cure and correct an action by placing the challenged action on a subsequent meeting agenda for separate determinations of whether to cure and correct the challenged action and, if so, whether to affirm or supersede the challenged action after first taking any new public testimony.
2. In the event the Public Ethics Commission, upon the conclusion of a formal hearing conducted pursuant to its General Complaint Procedures, determines that a local body violated any material provision of this chapter, or took action upon an item for which the agenda related material was not timely filed pursuant to Section 2.20.080(H), the local body shall agendize for immediate determination whether to correct and cure the violation. Any violation shall have no effect on those actions described in Government Code Section 54960.1(d)(1)-(4), inclusive.
E. Reports or Recommendations From Meetings Alleged To Have Been Held In Violation of this Chapter.
If the sole purpose or nature of an action that is challenged for violation of this chapter is to make or convey an advisory report or recommendation to another local body, such local body shall not be precluded from hearing or taking action on the item if it is within the authority or jurisdiction for said local body to hear or take action on the item in the absence of such report or recommendation.
F. Limitation of Actions.
No person may file a complaint with the Public Ethics Commission alleging violation of the notice provisions of Section 2.20.080 if he or she attended the meeting or had actual notice of the item of business at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting at which the action was taken. No person may file a complaint with the Public Ethics Commission alleging violation of the notice provisions of Section 2.20.070 if he or she attended the meeting or had actual notice of the item at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting at which the action was taken. No person may file a complaint with the Public Ethics Commission alleging the failure to permit the timely inspection or copying of a public record unless he or she has requested and participated in mediation as specified in Section 2.20.270(C). (Ord. 12668 § 6, 2005: Ord. 12483 (part), 2003; Ord. 11957 § 00.28, 1997)