In an important new case certified for publication on May 8, 2020, Petrovich Development Company, LLC v. City of Sacramento, __ Cal.App.5th __ (2020) (Case No. C087283), the Third District Court of Appeal addressed the constitutional due process restraints imposed on city council members, who are normally policymakers and voices of their constituents except when they act in a quasi-judicial capacity as adjudicators of matters on appeal from an administrative body.
Continue Reading Court Invalidates City’s Denial of Conditional Use Permit Because Councilmember’s Pre-Hearing Actions Demonstrated Bias

In a final report issued June 21, 2016, the Alameda County Grand Jury found that an Oakland City Council member used her position and office to advocate for private gain, and not the good of the City, in interfering with the planning process for a small housing development next door to her home.  The report highlights the importance of state and local conflict of interest requirements, training, and compliance, as well as the right of developers to be treated fairly in any project approval process.

The civil grand jury report comes in response to a citizen complaint citing a news report of a council member using City staff for her personal benefit to oppose a development project.  While the report does not identify the council member by name, the facts in the report indicate that the project is next door to Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney.Continue Reading Grand Jury Finds Oakland City Council Member Broke Ethics Rules in Interfering with a Housing Development Next Door to Her Home