For Immediate Release	Contact:	Kevin Smith
June 24, 2004		619-236-6616

RIGHT TO KNOW COMMITTEE PASSES TEMPORARY RULE

Committee will continue meeting to discuss items concerning open government

San Diego, CA - Yesterday, June 23, 2004, Councilmember Donna Frye along with Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins and Councilmember Jim Madaffer unanimously approved a temporary rule that will reform current City regulations on the noticing and conduct of closed session meetings held by the City Council. In addition to approving the temporary rule, the committee also recommended that new language be included in the San Diego Municipal Code that will, if adopted by the full Council, strengthen current procedures and regulations pertaining to serial meetings by elected City officials. The committee also recommended changes to the current rules governing non-agenda public comment that will allow public speakers a better forum to address their elected officials. The committee had previously approved recommended changes to the City Clerk?s website to allow for easier access to public information.

The Right To Know Committee was formed by the San Diego City Council to review a temporary rule put forward by Councilmember Frye and Deputy Mayor Atkins and passed by the Council on March 29, 2004 and forward its recommendation on to the City Council Rules, Finance and Intergovernmental Relations committee and ultimately the full City Council for adoption as a permanent rule. The purpose of this rule is to increase government transparency in the City of San Diego. These new rules for conduct by the City Council include:

- Giving the public more information about items coming before the Council in closed session

- Reporting the results of actions taken in closed session

- Giving the public an opportunity to directly address the City Council on any closed session item on the agenda

- Giving the Council an opportunity to discuss the basis for convening into closed session, ask questions and respond to questions from the public

- A transcription of all closed session meetings

- Making available to the Council and the public a weekly litigation log listing all litigation filed against or by the City

These changes to the open meeting rules of the City Council will help to reduce the many concerns about the noticing and conduct of the closed session meetings. Councilmember Frye, expressing strong feelings on the issue of closed session meetings said, "The ultimate goal is to ensure that closed sessions are the exception to the open meeting requirements, not the rule." Frye added that, "I believe the changes to our open government rules recommended by this committee will go a long way in assuring the public that its elected officials are held accountable for actions taken in both open and closed session meetings."

The Right To Know Committee will continue to meet as needed to discuss issues that will help open City government to all members of the public.

# # #