The Buzz 11.23.23

FREE SPEECH

The Ralph M. Brown Act governs public meetings in California, requiring most topics to be discussed in open session, with a few exceptions. On Aug. 11, the board of Carmel Unified School District met in closed session and voted 3-2 to approve a separation agreement with former superintendent Ted Knight. He resigned and agreed to drop all claims against the district – including a civil rights complaint and a pending lawsuit – and was paid $770,000 by the district. A new lawsuit filed against the district by a CUSD parent, Christine Davi (who also works as the city attorney for the City of Monterey), alleges the closed-session agreement violates the Brown Act and the terms of the payout violate other sections of government code, which sets a pay cap for government officials. She claims Knight was illegally overpaid by $524,480. Davi is also asking the district to comply with the Brown Act going forward by more clearly labeling its closed-session discussions on public agendas. CUSD has not yet filed a response, and Interim Superintendent Sharon Ofek notes the deadline to do so is in December.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We strongly disagree with this lack of transparency.” - Lisa Brazil of the California School Employees Association, speaking to the Carmel Unified School District board on Nov. 15 before the board met in closed session to consider hiring a superintendent. They opted not to appoint and instead make a plan for public input (mcweekly.com).

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

It took a bit of work that included a reset, but two businesses in Pacific Grove were awarded the first-ever Businesses Serving Minority and Women Program grants by the P.G. Economic Development Commission on Nov. 9. M8 Wellness Studio and Lucy’s on Lighthouse Restaurant each received $10,000 after a competitive process. Originally, the EDC created the grant program to benefit businesses run by women or minorities, but after someone complained it was discriminatory, a review by the city’s legal team determined that because the money was from a city instead of a nonprofit, it would be subject to scrutiny under the U.S. Constitution. The grant was opened to all businesses and four more applied, bringing the total applications to 19. An EDC subcommittee reviewed and scored the applications. Their recommendation was approved by the P.G. City Council.

GREAT:

Although Joby Aviation’s big factory is going to be built in Ohio, not California, there is great news for the emerging aeronautics technology sector’s future in Monterey County with news that Joby will expand significantly at the Marina Airport. On Nov. 16, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) approved a $9.8 million California Competes grant to Joby to support expansion in the state, including 690 new jobs, most of them in Marina. Joby plans to invest an additional $41.3 million in California. “We’re honored to receive a prestigious CalCompetes grant to support pilot training and the growth of our manufacturing facilities,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, said in a statement. The company makes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passengers, sometimes referred to as flying cars.