News Release

City of Irvine
Public Information Office

1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606
949-724-6253

10/12/2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Public Information Office
949-724-6077
pio@cityofirvine.org

Enhancing Government Transparency in Irvine

The Irvine City Council will consider approval of an Irvine Sunshine Ordinance that would expand review time of nearly all upcoming agenda items to 12 days – which is four times longer than California law requires. The proposed ordinance will be heard during the City Council meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 23. An ordinance requires a second reading, which would be November 13.

“The 12-day window allows every community member the time they need to review agenda items thoroughly,” said City Manager John Russo. California’s open meeting law, the Brown Act, requires an agenda be posted a mere 72 hours in advance of a regular meeting.

“People and business owners who pay their taxes to run a good government ought to have the opportunity to share information, ask questions, and make their opinions known before City Hall acts on their behalf,” said Russo.

The City of Irvine’s new Transparency Portal, already up on the main website, is another sign that Irvine is committed to the type of visibility all government watchdogs now demand. In addition, the City Council is expected to consider approval of a two-year budget cycle, up from the present one-year budget, along with a five-year financial planning program at the November 27 City Council meeting.

To review the Irvine Sunshine Ordinance, see Item 3.1 of the October 23, 2018 agenda: http://irvine.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=68&event_id=1308