Residents use Government Finance Professionals Week proclamation to spotlight alleged delays in Cotati public records responses

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 but "she never responded to any of them," naming the city administrative services staff member as "Angela Corder." Another Zoom commenter, Laurie, said she has been requesting totals for Redwood Public Law monthly bills for months and was told by the city attorney's office that attorney‑client privilege prevented disclosure, despite prior occasions when totals were provided.

Mayor Mary Lemus and staff proceeded with the proclamation and called forward representatives from the County Auditor‑Controller's office, the Cotati‑Rohnert Park Unified School District, Rancho Adobe Fire District and the city's administrative services department to receive recognitions. The city's administrative services director spoke from the podium and thanked the council and staff for recognizing finance work.

The public comments raised three distinct concerns: (1) that some public records requests have not been answered or have been delayed, (2) that invoices from contracted counsel (Redwood Public Law) were not being shared in the form requested, and (3) that the attorney's office had asserted privilege on records that were previously released. Commenters said unresolved PRA requests could lead to litigation and legal fees for the city if requests are compelled.

Councilors did not provide a substantive staff response to the specific PRA allegations during the proclamation item. The administrative services director accepted the proclamation and thanked the council "for recognizing all the hard work that we do," while the public comments remained on the record as allegations. The council did not take an immediate vote or formal direction on the PRA complaints during the meeting; the clerk closed public comment on the proclamation and the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.

The transcript records a discrepancy in the name used by public commenters (they referred to "Angela Corder") and the name used when the city's administrative services director spoke at the podium (transcript identifies the speaker as "Angela Quarter"). That discrepancy is noted here for accuracy and should be confirmed with the city clerk for any follow‑up action.

Next steps: Residents who made allegations may pursue formal follow‑ups, including renewed PRA requests or requests that the council direct staff to report back on outstanding PRA requests. The transcript shows no formal direction or staff report on those allegations at this meeting.