Transparency

Transparency, as used in the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning a "transparent" object is one that can be seen through. Transparent procedures include open meetings, financial disclosure statements, freedom of information legislation, budgetary review, audits, etc.

Politics (from Greek πολιτικός, "of, for, or relating to citizens"), is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs. It also refers to behavior within civil governments. However, politics can be observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic, and religious institutions. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power"^[1] and refers to the regulation of public affairs within a political unit,^[2] and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.^[3]

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I define these two particular words because they are used a lot these days. It seems that every action taken by almost any individual or group is seen as political. It is also the claim that everything in this political context is done in the name of transparency. It is also true that the group with political power claims to be the most transparent but usually is accused, by those in the minority, of being anything but transparent.

It is in this context that we find ourselves in Marina today. Specifically in regards to the closed session meetings held by our City Council. I think the community would be amazed at the sheer number of closed session meetings that our City Council has held this year alone. These meetings are held with little notice (more later) and with little reported on the results of these meetings.

This past Friday night’s closed session is a perfect example. Yes, there was one, didn’t you get the notice? It was announced at the City Council meeting on Tuesday as a continuation of that nights closed session regarding our City Managers labor negotiations. However, by Friday afternoon it was amended to also include a performance evaluation of the City Manager as well.

Now I would argue that the two items should never be on the same agenda but that is my opinion. I just don’t think you hold anyone’s review over their head when you are asking them to reopen their contract. I would also guess that not many labor attorneys in this world would either.

Now, however nefarious or benign the intent of adding the second item to the agenda was, it should be done with full and proper notice. While the item was added on Thursday afternoon, it fell under the emergency meeting clause of the Brown act. This was far from an emergency and should have been done under the regular posting rules for all meetings.

So here is a simple solution. Let’s have the City Council pass an ordinance that all meetings be posted with the 72 hour rule. If there is an emergency meeting required, it too must be posted on the City’s website and e-mailed to all those on the City’s e-mail list. No more simply posting it on the Council Chambers wall the day before.

This solution will bring us back to the intent of the Brown act, use the technology we have today and make both sides of any subject politically transparent. You see, finding simple solutions without making everything political is not that difficult if you all work for the common good of the community.

More later