Hello Judi,
The Good Governance Checklist: Good and Better Practice [http://www.ca-ilg.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/checklist_v4.pdf]
s, from the Institute for Local Government, has practical suggestions to answer these questions:
1) What practices can a local agency put in place to promote public trust and confidence?2) What practices can minimize the risk
of missteps that could undermine or damage this trust and confidence?
The ideas are grouped into the "Minimum" and "Beyond the Minimum" categories. While MP has implemented some in the "Beyond the
Minimum" category, we could do more. So, I hope my email will spark staff review of the Checklist to identify what else could be
implemented in MP.
On page 10, the document suggests ways to increased transparency. One is to make "Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700)
disclosures available on the agency website. Right now, we only have the (blank)Form 700
[https://www.menlopark.org/1118/FPPC-Form-700-notification]available at our website. Anyone wanting to know the actual disclosures
(completed forms by our elected officials) has to contact you. That represents an additional hurdle as someone interested in the
information may not want you to know their identity.
I think adding Form 700 disclosures would be a positive move toward transparency in Menlo Park. Will you consider making the
disclosures (completed forms) available at our city's website? Does Council have to discuss this matter before staff can act?
For the record, I have not yet asked you for any Form 700 disclosures.
Lynne
