Mayor Sam Exclusive: Keith Survillas "Attempted (and legally-questionable) LA-32 NC Teleconference Appearance" from Bullhead City

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we disclose the dubious and legally-questionable attempt by the LA-32 Neighborhood Council to allow its controversial Board Member Keith Survillas to "teleconference his presence" at yesterday's NC's monthly Board Meeting. 

The LA-32 Neighborhood Council's Teleconference Meeting Location at Mojave Community College in Bullhead City, Arizona.

The Documented (allegedly) Verbal and Physical Abuser of a Retire Law Enforcement Officer Keith Survillas. 

** Blogger's Note": In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we disclose a legally-questionable attempt by the LA-32 Neighborhood Council to allow controversial Board Member Keith Survillas to "teleconference his attendance" at last night's monthly General Board Meeting. 

As noted on the Agenda for last night's gathering, Board Member Survillas was going to partake in the proceedings from "Mojave Community College, 3400 Highway 95, Bullhead City, Arizona 86442" .........., but was a "No Show". 

During the Roll Call portion of the Meeting, LA-32 NC President Jen Markewych stated that it was Board Member Survillas "Right under the Brown Act" to teleconference his attendance, but in reviewing established Brown Act Guidelines regarding Teleconferencing, discussions with longtime NC observers and in contacting Mojave Community College Officials ..............., the legality of last evening's proceedings requires bloggin review when considering.

First, the Mayor Sam Blog contacted the Administration at Mojave Community College and was told via an employee/assistant of Dean Shawn Bristle (sbristle@mojave.edu), that there was no documentation on file ........., or official posting of any agenda which complied with legal guidelines for postings requirements regarding Teleconference Meeting Locations. From the "Basic Provisions for Teleconferencing Under the Brown Act"

* Each teleconference location must be identified in the notice and agenda of the meeting. · * Agendas must be posted at each teleconference location. * Each location must be accessible to the public.

Second, in consultation with multiple, veteran Neighborhood Council Observers, none cannot recall a policy approved by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) that established Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC)-approved Guidelines for the use of Teleconferencing at NC Meeting. Further, one Observer stated that BONC Commissioner have inquired and consulted with DONE-assigned Deputy City Attorneys, who cautioned about the logistics of complying with the intrinsic Brown Act requirements when incorporating Teleconferencing .........., as exampled from LA County Legal Counsel.  

Teleconferencing may be used for all purposes in connection with any meeting within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. All votes taken during the teleconference meeting shall be by roll call. If the legislative body elects to use teleconferencing, it shall post agendas at all teleconference locations and conduct teleconference meetings in a manner that protects the statutory and constitutional rights of the parties or the public appearing before the legislative body. Each teleconference location shall be identified in the agenda and shall be accessible to the public. During the teleconference, at least a quorum of the members of the legislative body shall participate from locations within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises jurisdiction. The agenda shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the legislative body directly at each location. (Section 54953.)

In lieu of the above information, along with attending last evening's proceedings, the Mayor Sam Blog seriously doubts that the required guidelines for insuring compliance with specified Brown Act Requirements regarding Teleconferencing, were inplemented (if not outright violated) ........., and merit further, formal investigating----Scott Johnson.

From Page 2 of the 10-5-16 Meeting Agenda of the LA-32 Neighborhood Council General Board, denoting the Teleconference Location for Keith Survillas ........, and Public.

Will Empower LA General Manager Grayce Liu investigate the LA-32 NC's legally-questionable use of Teleconferencing?

Jim Alger Files Complaint Against Neighborhood Council

Alleging that the Northridge West Neighborhood Council has been "operating in violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act," longtime community activist Jim Alger has filed a grievance against the body requesting a series of remedies up to and including decertification of the Council board and/or removal of it's directors.

Alger tells the Sister City "They (the Council board of directors) consistently violate the open meeting law by taking up items not on the agenda and deliberately try to circumvent it with 'ad-hoc' meetings that are not legal."

Among numerous procedural matters relating to the Council's Board of Directors' activities the key point of Alger's complaint relates to a position taken by NWNC on the upcoming Proposition B on the City's March primary, a controversial measure dealing with solar energy.   Alger says that "In addition to the violation of the Brown Act, the NWNC did violate an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Water and Power where it did not provide the required 14 days notice to the DWP (as required by the MOU) or the required 3 days notice to the community (as required by the Brown Act) prior to taking a position opposing Proposition B, the LA Solar Power Initiative."

The MOU that Alger refers to is one agreed to by NWNC and other Neighborhood Councils that, among other things, requires Neighborhood Councils to give the DWP a 14 day notice of any issue the Council Board of Directors is considering that relates to the DWP, in order for the DWP to have an opportunity to provide sufficient representation at the meeting at which the item will be discussed.

Alger told me "What annoys me is that these are not hard rules to follow. Simply place the item on the public agenda, or post a special meeting notice, and then you're in compliance. All I want them to do is follow the law, why is that so difficult?"

The Northridge West Neighborhood Council has until January 8th to select a committee of five random stakeholders to hear Alger's complaint. The committee will make a final recommendation to the full Council board for final action.  If Alger is not satisfied with the Council's response, he may follow-up his grievance with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners for further action.

We have sought a response from the Northridge West Neighborhood Council but at press time not received any comment from them.  We welcome their response, if they have one.

Zuma Dogg Marathon: Zuma Knows The Brown Act

Zuma Dogg knows his rights but Tom LeBong still shows us why he's Tom LeBong. Also in the clip, Melrose Larry Green looking like an idiot.

Open Thread for Sunday

Former journo and Westside White Guy accomplice Bill Boyarsky pens an op-ed in the Fishwrap of Record about his now expired term on the City of LA's Ethics Commission. Boyarsky, who was appointed by City Controller Laura Chick upon his application for the job finds his service on the panel whose job is to clean up politics, a failure.

"I left City Hall frustrated, irritated and saddened -- and most of all, humbled by a culture impervious to change. "Free at last," I said when my colleagues asked me if I had some final words at my last meeting June 10."
Bill Boyarsky

Boyarsky says the panel is hamstrung by a City Attorney ruling (one he finds to be in error) that the state's Brown Act prevents Commissioners from speaking with City Councilmembers or from speaking out on ethics related issues. As well Boyarsky found that any reforms to the system the Commission proposed had to be approved by a City Council who had no interest in reforming the system and buried their recommendations in committee.

Free from his public service, the question for Boyarsky is what's next? Perhaps he would like to join fellow former scribe turned populist leader Ron Kaye in bringing a bag of trash to City Hall on July 14th.

Zuma Dogg mano-a-mano con Alcalde Villaraigosa

Zuma Dogg chats with Mayor Villaraigosa about alleged Brown Act violations by the Del Rey Neighborhood Council.

Glassell Park's Bagasao Doesn't Get Brown Act

Neighborhood Councils want to spend money intended for outreach and community empowerment on cameras to watch dangerous criminals and others; but they apparently don't want to be the subjects of cameras themselves.

In this previously unreleased classic from the comedy series that is know as The Goofy Glassell Park Neighborhood Clowncil starring Bradley, we see Council leader Paula Bagasao display a complete and utter lack of understanding of the Brown Act. Sadly, Bagasao seems to think she is immune from anyone who plans to "fight" her or the Council.