HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_01_29 Quiz 1 Open Govern FINAL
Quiz # 1
Open Government
1. The Human Relations Commission wants to conduct a team-building session to
improve relations among its members and develop a common vision on how to handle
anonymous complaints from members of the public regarding human relations issues
within the City.
May such a session be conducted behind closed doors if the meeting is properly
noticed? Yes / No
2. Lotta E. Mailer, a new member of the Mobile Home Rent Review Commission, sen t
out an email to all other members inquiring as to their availability for a special meeting
to discuss possible changes to the City’s rent control policies. 4 of 7 members respond
with “reply all” emails including possible dates. Chair Doublewide also lists a couple
ideas he has for changing park regulations.
Has a Brown Act violation occurred? Yes / No
3. During a special meeting of the GMOC, Annie, a member of the public, was asked to
refrain from taking pictures because the flash on her camera phone kept distracting staff
and the Board. Annie refused, and was ordered removed from chambers. Was this
removal consistent with the Brown Act?
Yes / No
4. Bert, a Chula Vista City Councilmember, sent a private email to Ernie, another City
Councilmember, discussing a project proposed by his neighbor, Elmo. To keep
everyone in the loop, Bert blind copies the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Attorney,
and Elmo. Bert’s email to Ernie is considered a “meeting” under the Brown Act.
True / False
5. At a regular meeting of the City Council, Deputy Mayor Mary Jane proposes in her
Council comments amendments to the R-1 zone to allow for up to 50 marijuana plants
per residence. Mayor Moral Outrage declares the proposal “preposterous,” but
Councilmember Compromise convinces a majority of the group to form a
Subcommittee on Marijuana Policy that would meet and report back to Council.
Has the City Council violated the Brown Act? Yes / No
6. The City of Bigtime owns and operates a small, but busy airport. People who are
unhappy with the noise from the airport file noise complaints. The airport seeks to
expand operations. A resident, Bill Tarmac, who supports the expansion files a Public
Records Act request asking for copies of all complaints, including the names and
addresses of those that complained and all city drone video footage of a protest outside
the airport. The City says it needs three weeks to respond and that Tarmac must pay
$2,000 to blur images of citizens at the protest. The City acted properly under the PRA.
True / False
7. A local protest group proposes a major rally at the Mexican border 14 hours before a
general meeting of the Chula Vista City Council. Thousands are expected to at tend.
The Chief of Police has been asked to provide support and warns that things could get
rough. If a majority of councilmembers agree at the Council Meeting that an
“emergency” exists, the City Council may discuss this issue even though the issue is
not included on the posted agenda.
True / False
8. Jessica, a department head, and Ramon, a City Councilmember, see each other at
Starbucks and discuss a proposed modification to a City scooter ordinance with
Carmen, a member of the public and a scooter advocate, and staff members for the
Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. This interaction would be considered a meeting under
the Brown Act.
True / False
9. The CEO of Google has been emailing the City Engineer regarding Google’s interest
in a major investment in the City’s nascent autonomous vehicle program. Elon Musk
is also interested and wants to find out what’s going on to get a competitor advantage.
He submits a Public Records Act Request for all written communications between
Google executives and City Officials. City provides the emails, but not the texts; the
City Engineer declines to turn them over because they are on his personal phone and
are mixed in with his personal texts to his girlfriend. Has the City complied with the
PRA?
Yes / No
10. New City Councilmember Will Intentioned posts on his personal Facebook account
how excited he is to support the new project to provide services to the City’s homeless
population. Councilmembers Wallace and Grommet both “follow” Will. Wallace
“likes” Will’s post and Grommet “loves” it. The DA files charges against all three for
a Brown Act violation. Will the DA prevail?
Yes / No