Mendocino City Community Service District violated Brown Act, grand jury says

In its investigation of the Mendocino City Community Service District, which treats the town of Mendocino’s wastewater and manages its groundwater, the Mendocino County grand jury said it found meeting notices and agendas were not posted in a timely manner in accordance with the Brown Act, a finding released in a new report by the jury.

The grand jury’s report alleged that MCCSD’s District Board had violated the 72-hour meeting notice requirement set by the California state code, which also states that a 24-hour notice for special meetings is required.

A grand jury member previously called the MCCSD’s District Office to confirm the date, time and location of a meeting that was to be held, and upon arrival, the member found the gate to the facility locked and the office dark, according to the report.

After going to the local Community Center where meetings have taken place in the past, there was no meeting to be found and the member eventually learned the following week the meeting had been canceled.

California’s Brown Act, which requires transparency of public officials and governmental organizations, also requires meeting agendas be made available by mail if requested, on a website, if a website is maintained, and posted in a public place.

Accordingly, the grand jury has recommended that the District Board and staff do an annual review of the Brown Act. Also, the jury is requiring a response from the Mendocino City Community Service District board of directors, which is generally due in 60 days for elected officials, and 90 days for all others.

May 8, 2015

Ukiah Daily Journal

By Adam Randall