In a recent City Council meeting held on September 9, 2025, in Guadalupe, California, discussions centered around the establishment of an oversight committee for the Royal Theater Project, highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency and community involvement in local governance.

The meeting was prompted by a request from members of the Guadalupe Community Action Coalition (GCAC) and the capital campaign committee, who sought to create an oversight committee to manage the project and its associated capital campaign. However, city staff raised significant concerns regarding the implications of forming such a committee under the Brown Act, which governs public meetings in California. The staff indicated that the proposed oversight committee would require formal public meetings, agendas, and minutes, leading to increased staffing demands and administrative burdens.

City staff conducted research and concluded that the oversight committee, as proposed, could not be established without being subject to the Brown Act. They also acknowledged that the existing capital campaign committee, created earlier in the year, was similarly bound by the Act, which had not been communicated to the council previously. This oversight raised questions about the committee's operations and compliance with transparency requirements.

During the meeting, council members expressed differing views on the necessity of a formal oversight body. Some argued that a more structured approach was essential for ensuring transparency and community engagement, especially given the complexity and visibility of the Royal Theater Project. Others suggested that a less formal arrangement, involving two council members meeting with staff as needed, could suffice without the burdens of a full Brown Act committee.

The discussion underscored a broader tension between the desire for community input and the practical challenges of maintaining compliance with public meeting laws. Council members emphasized the need for regular communication and transparency regarding project developments, particularly as the project progresses and fundraising efforts continue.

As the council deliberates on the best path forward, the implications of their decisions will resonate throughout the community, particularly in terms of how effectively they can balance oversight, transparency, and operational efficiency in managing significant public projects. The council is expected to revisit the structure of the capital campaign committee and consider the formation of a temporary advisory committee that could operate outside the constraints of the Brown Act, allowing for more flexible engagement with community members.