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Rules committee narrows proposed notice expansion after public concern over vague language
Summary
Supervisors moved to expand project notice requirements under the Citizens' Right to Know Act—extending posted notice from 15 to 30 days and requiring web publication—but removed a phrase critics called vague that would have treated any "decision to potentially fund" a proposed project as triggering notice obligations.
The Rules Committee advanced an amendment to the Citizens' Right to Know Act on Feb. 16 that expands public notice for city projects and requires departments to post proposed projects on official websites. Supervisor Mark Farrell said the change—raising posted notice from 15 to 30 days—aims to give neighborhoods meaningful time for input.
Public speakers raised concerns that one proposed phrase, which would treat "any decision to potentially fund or administer" a project as a proposed project, was too vague and could invite litigation or unintentionally block projects that serve vulnerable populations. Calvin Welch and Debbie Lerman asked the committee to strike or clarify the language.
Committee members responded by agreeing to remove the contested phrase and to add timing clarifications for departmental website postings and written notices. With those amendments, the committee voted to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation.
