(a) The right of the people to know what their government and those acting on behalf of their government are doing is fundamental to democracy, and with very few exceptions, that right supersedes any other policy interest government officials may use to prevent public access to information. Only in rare and unusual circumstances does the public benefit from allowing the business of government to be conducted in closed session, and those circumstances should be carefully and narrowly defined to prevent public officials from abusing their authority.
(b) The provisions of this Chapter requiring or promoting public access to meetings, records, or information relating to the conduct of the people’s business shall be broadly construed. The provisions of this Chapter that limit, restrict, or provide exceptions to the public’s right of access shall be narrowly construed.
(c) The provisions of the California Public Records Act (Government Code §§ 6350 et seq.) requiring or promoting public access to records or information relating to the conduct of the people’s business, shall be broadly construed. The provisions of the California Public Records Act that limit, restrict, or provide exceptions to the public’s right of access shall be narrowly construed.
(d) All provisions of this Chapter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §§ 54950 et seq.) and the California Public Records Act, as both currently exist, or as both are hereafter amended from time to time and as interpreted by the California Attorney General and case authority. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this Chapter and the Brown Act or the California Public Records Act, as both currently exist, or as hereafter amended from time to time and as interpreted by the California Attorney General and case authority, the provisions of the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act as they exist at that time, and the opinions of the California Attorney General and the case law interpreting each as they exist at that time, shall prevail over any conflicting provision of this Chapter. If this Chapter is silent on any matter, the provisions of the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act as both then exist at that time, and as interpreted by the California Attorney General and case authority at that time, will govern. This Chapter does not create a cause of action separate from a cause of action under the Brown Act or the California Public Records Act.
(Ord. 4125, passed - -2010)