Councilmembers Tammy Kim and Mike Carroll Seek to Rescind Irvine’s Sunshine Ordinance

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This Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Vice Mayor Tammy Kim and Councilmember Mike Carroll seek to rescind City Council ordinance 18-10, which is Irvine’s Sunshine Ordinance.

On October 23, 2018, the Irvine City Council made the first of two votes toward approving a Sunshine Ordinance that would enhance government transparency by making agendas available 12 days in advance, rather than five.  The second required vote for approval was held on November 13, 2018, and the Sunshine Ordinance was passed unanimously by Councilmembers Wagner, Shea, Fox, Lalloway, Schott.

Former Mayor Christina Shea stated, “rescinding this transparency ordinance is a step backwards. The public’s request and desire is for more openness to review and scrutinize public business items proposed for City Council meetings, in advance.”

The goal of the proposed Ordinance was to assure adequate review of various related agenda materials by the public before items are considered by the City Council and its commissions and advisory boards. In the 2018 presentation, page 3 listed the “Four Pillars of Good Governance” (shown below):

How do you feel about taking away transparency for the public in order “to reduce the burden on staff, make the City more responsive to emerging issues”? Is this a step backwards for transparency in Irvine?