Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Residents use Government Finance Professionals Week proclamation to spotlight alleged delays in Cotati public records responses
Summary
During a proclamation recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week, several residents used public comment to allege repeated delays or failures by city staff to respond to California Public Records Act requests and urged the council to address transparency and responsiveness in the finance/administrative services office.
At the start of the March 24 meeting, the Cotati City Council presented a proclamation recognizing Government Finance Professionals Week and invited local finance offices and public‑service recipients to accept proclamations. During public comment on the proclamation, multiple residents raised allegations about delayed or unfulfilled California Public Records Act requests and about perceived evasiveness by administrative services staff.
George Barich, a former Cotati city councilman, said citizens "tried their very best to submit public records request[s] to the finance department" and described repeated failures to get responses and in‑person assistance at City Hall. A Zoom caller (identified by the phone's final digits in the hearing) said they repeatedly visited City Hall and filed PRA requests…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
