Cambria did not violate meeting law, judge rules

Posted on Mon, Jun. 28, 2004 Cambria did not violate meeting law, judge rules Decision means district can recover legal costs from watchdog group that claimed the public’s right to know was violated Kathe Tanner The Tribune CAMBRIA – A Superior Court judge has ruled that the Cambria Community Services District did not violate the Ralph M. Brown Act, as alleged in a lawsuit filed in November by the Coalition to Save Cambria and San Simeon. Basing its charges on the district’s meeting agendas, the coalition charged the district with violating California’s open meeting law in meetings held from July to September 2003. Judge Martin Tangeman heard arguments in the case on June 14 and ruled Friday that the district had not violated the spirit or the letter of the law in any of the six instances cited. In describing his rulings on several of the claims, Tangeman noted that items discussed and votes made by district directors were designed to get more information necessary before they could make final decisions on such issues as installing a desalination plant to provide more water for the town or creating a community park on part of the East Ranch meadow of East West Ranch. “We felt we have done everything correctly,” said Art Montandon, the district’s attorney. “… In the last three years or so, the district’s new staff has gone out of its way to make information about district decisions available to the public through its Web site and newsletters.” According to Tangeman’s ruling, the district can recover legal costs, not including attorneys’ fees, Montandon said. :nav Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/9030808.htm