The Mendocino City Community
Services District recently responded to a grand jury report, with the chief
complaint being that the district was committing Brown Act violations of
agendizing its board meetings.
The MCCSD board of directors
agreed with all six findings, which included not posting meeting agendas online
within a timely manner, and that the district office is currently too small for
where the meetings are held.
Although the board of
directors stated in its response that notices and agendas are already posted in
three locations prior to meetings, it said it has instructed staff to do the
same on its website as well.
In its previous report, the
grand jury stated a juror had been unable to find a past meeting that was
supposed to held at the MCCSD District Office, but upon arrival, found the
building locked and empty.
Days later, the juror found
the meeting had been canceled, according to the report.
However, both the grand jury
and MCCSD board agreed that meeting agendas and minutes themselves comply with
the Brown Act.
In response to the MCCSD
District Office being too small for meetings, the board of directors stated a
two-acre parcel was purchased in Mendocino in 2011, which would eventually
provide a meeting room large enough to accommodate five board members, staff
and an audience of 30 people that would comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Although there is a plan for
a bigger facility, the board of directors stated the project has been delayed
four years because of the Mendocino Town Plan update.
The grand
jury recommended that the district board do an annual review of the Brown Act.
The board of directors stated it would do so, and mentioned that in 2014, MCCSD
staff and two board members were able to attend Brown Act and ethics training
conducted by the Mendocino County Counsel’s office, and hosted by the Mendocino
Fire Protection District.
June 23, 2015
Ukiah
Daily Journal
By
Ukiah Daily Journal staff
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