County Unintentionally Violates Brown Act, Takes Steps to Improve Compliance

On Tuesday, March 25, the County of Humboldt became aware of a recent Brown Act violation that occurred when a majority of the Board of Supervisors attended a meeting that was not publicly noticed. The violation was committed inadvertently on Thursday, March 20, at a meeting at the Humboldt County Courthouse.

The meeting where the violation occurred was designed to elicit feedback that would improve service to the public regarding the community budget meetings. No action was taken at the meeting. Notes from the meeting have been posted on the County’s web site at co.humboldt.ca.us/portal/budget.

The Ralph M. Brown Act is California’s public meetings law, intended to ensure that public business is conducted in the public view and with public participation. The Act defines what constitutes a meeting of a public body.

The County of Humboldt regrets this mistake. The County recognizes the importance of the Brown Act and is committed to improving its ability to comply with the state’s open meeting laws. Since the violation occurred, County staff members involved in organizing the meeting have received renewed training on the Brown Act.

Being at the right place at the right timing pays off. I was in Supervisor Sundberg's office , this email popped up and I asked him about it. In addition to the press release draft above, Supervisor Sundberg added, "All of take the Brown Act very seriously. As it says this was an unintentional, honest mistake. We have taken steps to correct the issue. There were no policy decisions made at this meeting."