The Brown Act, officially known as the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code sections 54950-54963), authored by Ralph M. Brown, an Assemblyman from Turlock, was enacted in 1953 by the California State Legislature in an effort to safeguard the public’s ability to obtain access to and participate in local government meetings and deliberations. The Brown Act governs open meetings and requires that meetings of local governmental bodies allow public access to meetings.
Agendas
Every Agenda for all Regular meetings of the City Council and Agendas for the other Brown Act advisory commissions or committees provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on any item under the subject matter jurisdiction of the body and any item on the Regular Agenda.
Special meetings are an exception to this requirement in that the public is allowed to comment only on those items already on the Special Agenda. If you would like to have an item placed on a City Council Agenda, please submit a completed and signed Request Form for Agenda Item to the Deputy City Clerk at City Hall.
Committees and Commissions
There are currently six (6) City of Mt. Shasta legislative bodies that are governed by the Brown Act:
- Mt. Shasta City Council
- Planning Commission
- Beautification Committee
- Downtown Enhancement Advisory Committee (DEAC) (formerly the Parking & Business Improvement Area Advisory Committee)
- Active Transportation Committee (ATC) (formerly the Alternative Transportation Advisory Committee)
- Library Tax Advisory Committee
The members of the City Council are elected at large by the community and represent the entire constituency residing within the Mt. Shasta city limits. The other four (4) committees and the Planning Commission act as advisory bodies to the City Council and serve at the pleasure of the City Council.
All members of the four (4) committees and the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the City Council.
Membership
Membership on a City of Mt. Shasta commission or committee provides an opportunity for public service to your community. Although the specific duties of these commissions or committees vary with the purpose for which they were formed, they generally assist the City Council by acting as a line of communication between the general public and the City Council.
Vacancies on these commissions or committees are posted as required by law, are posted in the display case in front of City Hall, and are listed on the City’s website Home Page under Volunteer Opportunities. An Application for Appointment to Commissions & Committees Form should be submitted to the Deputy City Clerk for those interested in filling a vacancy. Those applying for a Planning Commission vacancy must additionally submit the answers to the questions on the Planning Commission Candidate Questions form by the application deadline date.