City Commission to Receive Legal Training on Brown Act and Ethics

The city’s Accessibility and Disability Commission will receive a briefing from the Assistant City Attorney covering crucial aspects of public service during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24. 

The training, titled “Legal Information and Training for Commissioners,” will discuss topics such as the role of city commissions, the Brown Act, conflict of interest rules, and the Public Records Act. Assistant City Attorney Danielle St. Clair will lead the session at the Jackie Robinson Community Center.

The nine-member Accessibility and Disability Commission includes one nominee from each Councilmember and the Mayor, plus an additional mayoral nominee based on City Council recommendations. Commissioners must be city residents with demonstrated commitment to accessibility.

At the briefing, commissioners will learn about their relationship with city staff and the public. The training emphasizes that while staff reports to the City Manager, commissioners can respectfully disagree with staff recommendations when appropriate.

A key focus will be on the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law. St. Clair will explain what constitutes a meeting under the Act, including phone calls, video conferences, and certain written communications like emails and text messages.

The training will address the prohibition of “serial meetings” and emphasize that meetings must be held in ADA-accessible facilities. The public must be allowed to address the legislative body during meetings.

Commissioners will be instructed on remote participation rules, which have been relaxed until January 2026. These allow for teleconferencing under specific circumstances, such as “just cause” or “emergency circumstances,” with strict guidelines for implementation.

The training will also cover ethics and conflict of interest. St. Clair will explain when commissioners should recuse themselves from votes, particularly if a decision could affect their private financial interests.

The session will include information on the Public Records Act. Commissioners will learn that public records encompass various forms of communication, with some exceptions such as preliminary drafts and attorney-client privileged records.

The training aligns with California’s Assembly Bill 1234, which mandates ethics training for public officials. The City Attorney’s office provides this required two-hour training within one year of commission members taking office and every two years thereafter.

The Accessibility and Disability Commission advises the City Council on accessibility issues in Pasadena. Its purpose includes studying inequities in accessibility and recommending policies to ensure access for all residents, particularly those with disabilities.

Commissioners serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms and must be off for two years before serving again. No action of the commission is valid without the affirmative vote of at least 3 members.

The training will also cover the City Resolution Adopted in 1982 (Resolution No. 4830), which still applies to commissioners’ standards of conduct, emphasizing efficient, fair, and impartial performance of duties.