The open government group Californians Aware has sued the city of Salinas, alleging the city's refusal to release a calendar of upcoming issues and events the city clerk sends to council members violates the state's Public Records Act.
The suit, filed July 3 in Monterey Superior Court, asks a judge to force the city to release the records and declare the city violated the Public Records Act.
The issue dates back to a reference City Councilman Jose Castañeda made at a November 2013 meeting. Castañeda thanked City Clerk Patty Barajas for sending "Councilmembers Reports, Appointments and Future Agenda Items," then asked about items that seem to be missing from the report. He again referenced a 2014 calendar of events during a January 2014 council meeting.
Californians Aware General Counsel Terry Francke says he was made aware the city refused to release the calendar after Salinas resident Mark Dierolf requested it through the Public Records Act.
"This document is privileged and will not be disclosed," Assistant City Attorney Anais Aquino wrote, according to the lawsuit.
In addition to the documents and a judgment saying the city violated the state Public Records Act, Californians Aware is seeking to recover its attorney's fees.
Check back for more on this story in this week's Local Spin column.
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