LETTER: The City of Campbell Discusses Sunshine Week

From the City of Campbell, Regarding Sunshine Week:

Sunshine Week celebrates open government and freedom of information. An effective government is one that fosters openness and transparency as it serves the citizens of its community. The right of citizens to know what their local government and elected officials are doing is fundamental to democracy.

In the state of California, the Ralph M. Brown Act was authored by California State Assembly member Ralph M. Brown and adopted in 1953. Not only does the Brown Act require the public’s business to be conducted in open, noticed meetings, its provisions extend to and guarantee, the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies. To encourage local participation, the Brown Act requires that a meaningful agenda be posted at least 72 hours in advance of regular meetings and that meeting materials are available to the public.

The City of Campbell has strived to provide greater public outreach than what the minimum requirements of the Brown Act provide. In addition to posting the Agenda on the public bulletin board as required, Agendas and related materials for all legislative bodies are posted and available to the public via the City’s website a minimum of 72 hours prior to scheduled regular meetings. 

The City utilizes many other communication tools as a means to outreach to the public. The City’s website was launched in the late 1990’s and is continually refreshed to provide current and pertinent public information. A public notice section was created specifically to highlight public hearings that are scheduled to be heard by the City Council and Planning Commission. Since 1997, the City has been cablecasting City Council and Planning Commission meetings on the City’s cable channel 26. For residents without cable service, recorded videos of these meetings have been made available at the Campbell Library for patrons to check out.

In 2010, the City launched live video streaming on the Internet of its City Council and Planning Commission meetings. With the increased popularity of social media networking, last year, the Campbell Recreation and Community Services Department created a Facebook page for its Department to inform residents about its array of recreation services, classes and programs, as well as occasional general City information.

Another communication tool used by the City is its official City newsletter, the Campbell Profile. Published three times per year, each edition reviews City projects and programs and also recapitulates legislative highlights since the last newsletter issue.

Finally, in 2006, the City Council adopted a Statement of Values to formally express the standards for the highest integrity and ethical conduct expected for elected officials, appointed commissioners and board members, executive staff and candidates for local office. The Statement of Values is intended to serve as a tool to promote and foster the highest degree of public trust, and all stakeholders are encouraged to not only understand and affirm the values, but to uphold them as they conduct their duties as public officials. The core values include:  Community; Honesty; Civility; Equality; Teamwork; and Accountability.