Sabrina Wolfson explains Brown Act and conflict of interest laws to authority members

The City of Santa Rosa Housing Authority held a meeting on February 24, 2025, focusing on the Brown Act and conflict of interest laws, presented by General Counsel Sabrina Wolfson. The session aimed to educate commissioners on these critical legal frameworks that govern their conduct and ensure transparency in local governance.

Wolfson provided a comprehensive overview of the Brown Act, California's open meeting law, which mandates that all meetings of local legislative bodies be open to the public. She emphasized that a "meeting" is defined broadly, encompassing any gathering of a majority of commissioners—four or more in this case—whether in person or virtually, to discuss authority business. This definition extends to informal interactions where information relevant to the authority's jurisdiction is shared.

The presentation highlighted several exceptions to the Brown Act, allowing commissioners to engage in certain activities without violating the law. These include individual communications with the public or staff, attendance at social events where no authority business is discussed, and participation in community meetings not organized by the city. However, Wolfson cautioned against "serial meetings," which occur when a majority of commissioners communicate about authority business outside of a public meeting, either directly or through intermediaries. Such practices are prohibited as they undermine public participation.

Wolfson also discussed the use of social media, noting that while commissioners can share information and solicit public opinions online, they must refrain from responding to comments or engaging in discussions about authority business on these platforms.

The meeting concluded with Wolfson encouraging commissioners to ask questions and seek further legal advice when necessary, reinforcing the importance of understanding these laws to maintain transparency and public trust in the Housing Authority's operations. The session underscored the ongoing commitment of the City of Santa Rosa to uphold ethical standards and foster community engagement in local decision-making processes.