SEC. 2-212. MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY.

   (A)   The city council hereby adopts Oxnard police department Policy Manual Section 708 (the “policy”) which shall govern the use of military equipment by the Oxnard police department. The policy may be amended by the police chief or the police chief’s designee, subject to city council approval.

   (B)   The policy shall be made publicly available on the Oxnard police department’s website for as long as the military equipment is available for use or as otherwise ordained by the city council.

   (C)   The Oxnard police department shall submit an annual military equipment report to the city council containing the information required by Cal. Gov't Code, Section 7072 and the city council shall thereafter determine whether each type of military equipment identified therein complied with the standards for approval set forth in Cal. Gov't Code, Section 7071(d).

   (D)   The city council shall on an annual basis and at a regular meeting thereof review this section and vote on whether to renew it pursuant to Cal. Gov't Code, Section 7071(e)(2). At such time, the policy shall be presented to the city council as an attachment to the annual report.

   (E)   The definitions set forth in Cal. Gov't Code, Section 7070 shall apply to this section of the city code. Any provision of state law referred to herein shall mean and include any amended or successor provision thereof.

(Ord. No. 3014, 3031)

ARTICLE IV. SUNSHINE ORDINANCE

SEC. 2-220. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

   Democracy in our representative form of government requires that the public have an opportunity to understand the government's activities and to communicate its concerns to its elected and appointed representatives, and that those representatives have an adequate opportunity to consider those concerns and then act effectively and in a timely manner. This article codifies the city's public policy concerning participation in the deliberations of the city's policy bodies, and clarifies and supplements the Brown Act. It is an affirmation of good government; and a continued commitment to open and democratic procedures. It is an effort to expand our residents' knowledge, participation and trust. As procedures of government change and evolve, so also must the laws designed to guarantee the process remains visible.

(Ord. No. 2948)

SEC. 2-221. DEFINITIONS.

   The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:

   (A)   AGENDA - A document that informs the public about a meeting, published in advance of the meeting, which at a minimum: (i) identifies the policy body conducting the meeting; (ii) specifies the time and location of the meeting; and (iii) lists each item of business to be discussed or transacted and describes the proposed action for such item.

   (B)   AGENDA PACKET - A complete set of materials that includes the agenda and its relevant supporting documents.

   (C)   BROWN ACT - California Gov’t Code Sections 54950 et. seq., as those sections may be amended from time to time.

   (D)   CLOSED SESSION - A meeting or portion of a meeting that begins with a public comment period, followed by a session that excludes the public as permitted by state law, and ends with an open session at which a public report is made to the extent required by State law.

   (E)   MEETING - Shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 54952.2 of the California Gov’t Code.

   (F)   POLICY BODY - Shall have the same meaning as "legislative body" as defined in Section 54952 of the California Gov’t Code unless the definition in this section applies to a broader range of boards, commissions, committees or other bodies, and shall include the following:

      (1)   The city council;

      (2)   Any other board enumerated in the city code;

      (3)   Any board, commission, committee, or other body created by ordinance or resolution of the city council;

      (4)   Any committee or body created by the initiative of a policy body as a whole;

      (5)   Any standing committee of a policy body irrespective of its composition; and

      (6)   Any committee consisting of city employees that was established by city council ordinance or resolution that specified that the meetings of such committee were to be open and public.

   (G)   SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - All documents, regardless of form, medium or author, that are provided to members of a policy body for their use in considering agenda items for a meeting.

(Ord. No. 2948)

SEC. 2-222. MEETINGS TO BE OPEN AND PUBLIC; THE BROWN ACT.

   All meetings of a policy body shall be open and public, and governed by the provisions of the Brown Act and of this article. In case of inconsistent requirements under the Brown Act and this article, the requirement which would result in greater or more expedited public access shall apply.

(Ord. No. 2948)