OPEN COMMITTEE MEETING - January 31, 2005
This report was submitted by Advocacy Chair Joe Flynn
The Open Meeting Committee, chaired
by Councilwoman Donna Frye, had it's opening act
today,
"What in the World is going
on at the Retirement Board?" (or words to that
effect)
First
speaker was Lori Chapin, attny for the Ret Bd.
Who read a prepared statement indicating that the Ret. Bd. could not possibly
know "outcomes" of a closed session, before they went into closed
session and therefore could not have violated the Brown Act -- regarding their
attempts at removal of Diann Shipione. Ms.
Chapin also said that since the City Attorney is investigating them that she
would not respond to Committee questions. She read her remarks and left,
making negative impression on the Committee.
D. Frye
did point out, that if the Ret. Bd. did not know anything about
"possible outcomes" of their closed sessions, how is it that they had
previously contacted a Police Lt. Board member, who contacted another Police
Lt. who had two officers standing by to facilitate a citizen's arrest of
Diann Shipione in a future closed session???
D. Frye
also had questions as to whether the City Employee members of the Ret Bd took part in the meeting and decision to sue the City
Attorney. No answers on that one.
Diann then
gave a presentation which outlined the actions by the board, her attempts to
raise questions and issues and the boards attempt to silence her. She was
given ample time, and used it well.
There were
a number of speakers, aghast at the Ret. Bd.'s breakaway independence, and
supportive of the committee in general and Diann Shipione in
particular. I spoke in support of Diann S., and suggested that they
develop a Freedom of Information Medal and give the first one to Diann S.
Then I shared with the committee the Ret. Bd.'s past practice of holding all
comment to the end of the meeting, and not having printed material available in
the meeting room. After this was pointed out to the Board it was
still necessary for Michael Conger to provide a tutorial on the basics of the
Brown Act.
The
meeting was well attended by retirees, the public, and by the Media, so
there should be some coverage in the evening TV news, and Phil LaVelle may have an article tomorrow. I spoke on
camera with Fox and KUSI news so we (and the 500 retirees who make less than
$500 a month) may get a little air time.
All in all, an auspicious beginning for the new Committee.