The Ralph M. Brown Act - City of Huntington Beach

Preparing an AgendaNotices• The agenda must include a brief description of every item to be discussed• Brief general description generally need not exceed 20 words [20 word description isa guideline]• May want to list each specific item within an agenda item:"council initiated business""commission communications""public correspondence"• Closed sessions MUST be listed on the agenda• Act lists the information required for agendizing closed sessions• If body uses the Act's closed session "safe harbors" the body cannot be found inviolation of the Brown Act agenda requirements• Each agenda must include a time for public comment:- Agenda must be structured so that public comment is permitted before or duringthe body's consideration of an agendized item• Agendas must include notice regarding availability of agenda materials in alternateformats for ADA compliance• Special meetings must also include public comment but only on the particular itemson the special meeting agenda• Agenda must identify location where documents distributed less than 72 hours beforemeeting can be inspected.Regular MeetingsAgendas for regular meetings must:• Be posted 72 hours prior to the meeting• Specify the time and place of the meeting• Be posted in a location that is freely accessible to the public and at any teleconferencesite• Be mailed to any person requesting notice annually in writing, including all staffreports (may impose a fee)The Brown Act Update - Summary (2010) 5