CBOC receives Brown Act training and review of duties as bond work ramps up

Serene Brighamham, counsel to the committee, told members the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee was formed as a Brown Act committee and must conduct its business publicly and in accordance with state open‑meeting law. "The committee was formed as a Brown Act Committee, which means that the committee has to put, conduct its business publicly and pursuant to the Brown Act," she said, reviewing how the law defines a "meeting" and examples that can trigger Brown Act obligations.

Brighamham walked members through agenda‑posting timelines, teleconferencing and remote‑attendance rules, and recent legislative clarifications about social media interactions (citing examples discussed in the presentation). She highlighted that a majority of members communicating outside an agendized public meeting — including serial emails, chain messages or coordinated social‑media actions — can constitute a meeting under the statute and should be avoided.

The training also reviewed the CBOC’s specific role under Prop 39 and district bylaws: verifying bond proceeds are spent on the projects listed in bond measures, reviewing annual performance and financial audits, and reporting to the public. Brighamham reminded members what the CBOC may not do — e.g., participate in bond sales, select contractors, conduct site visits without district permission or direct hiring/contracting decisions.

Chair Alice B. Grigsby and other members asked clarifying questions about term lengths, consecutive terms and where bylaws are posted; staff confirmed the CBOC page and bylaws are available on the district website. The session closed with members discussing outreach steps to better inform residents about bond spending as major construction begins.