Clearlake reviews updated Brown Act teleconferencing and new campaign-contribution recusal rule

Clearlake — City staff presented the annual update to council norms and procedures and walked through several changes to the Brown Act and related statutes that affect how meetings are noticed, how members may teleconference, and when recusal is required for campaign contributions.

The city clerk summarized updates including the clarified rule that supplementary materials distributed within 72 hours of a meeting may be posted immediately online and made available in person the next business day; regular meeting termination at 10 p.m. unless extended by majority; and teleconferencing requirements that a teleconferencing location be posted on the agenda and allow the public to participate in that location. Staff reviewed limits on the 'just cause' or emergency teleconferencing exceptions (e.g., caregiving, contagious illness, official city travel) and noted those exceptions are limited in frequency and duration.

City Attorney Jones described SB 1439's change to campaign-contribution rules: “If anybody has contributed to your campaign $250 or more within the last year, you can't vote on an item related to that individual or their group,” he said. He added the Attorney General and FPPC clarified the rule is not retroactive to 2022 but council members should be aware of the rule going forward into future election cycles.

Staff also reviewed SB 1489 (effective this year), which eliminated the need for the clerk to read an ordinance title aloud in a motion when the title appears on the agenda and a copy of the ordinance is publicly available. Finally, staff explained newly clarified authority for the presiding officer or sergeant at arms to remove a disruptive individual after a warning and to immediately remove someone who presents a true threat of force.

Council members asked clarifying questions, including why the city manager is listed as sergeant at arms rather than a police official; staff said the mayor may delegate the duty and local practice varies.

Next steps: the updated norms and procedures are on the city website and staff provided paper copies to council members.