Californians Aware

THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC FORUM 

 

January 5,2016

To: Liz Maland, City Clerk
Re: June 2016 Open Government Ballot Measure

Californians Aware is submitting the following ballot measure for consideration by the San
Diego City Council Rules Committee.

All documents, communications, and other writings, including emails and text messages,
recorded in whatever medium, created or received in the course of conducting any City
business by its appointed or elected o?icers, employees, departments, bodies or agents,
are deemed to be used and controlled by the City for purposes of public disclosure. In
addition, all such records shall be presumed open to the public unless such access is
prohibited by state or federal law or by an ordinance, regulation or policy of the City
Council or other City authority that is consistent with San Diego City Charter Section
216.]. These and other City records shall be retained for a minimum of two years.

This language could be added to the San Diego City Charter as Section 216.2 or to the San Diego
Municipal Code where appropriate.

It is our belief that ?a communication relating to the conduct of the public?s business that is
maintained on the private accounts of city of?cers reasonably falls within the de?nition of a
record ?retained? by the city.? In other words, city of?cials should not be able to use their private
cell phones or computers as a means of preventing disclosure of the public?s business.

We respectfully request that the Rules Committee support this ballot measure and forward it to
the City Council for placement on the June 2016 ballot.

Thank you,

 51%

Donna Frye
President, Californians Aware