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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc - Powers (Violation of Free Speech) 5-15-2020/15/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine; Johnson, Derek; E-mail Council Website; Harmon, Heidi; Pease, Andy Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra /15/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Purrington, Teresa Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:07 PM To: Will Powers; Dietrick, Christine; Johnson, Derek; E-mail Council Website; Harmon, Heidi; Pease, Andy Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E-mail Council Website; Pease, Andy; Dietrick, Christine Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@Rmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Christian, Kevin Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 8:09 AM To: Will Powers; Purrington, Teresa; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E-mail Council Website; Pease, Andy; Dietrick, Christine Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Dear Mr. Powers, Thank you for pointing out the error. By no means did we intend to deny anybody their input on a public meeting. It was a simple typographical error made by me and I will correct it immediately. Sincerely, Kevin Christian Deputy City Clerk City Administration City Clerk's Office 0 Fyalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 E kchristian(slocity.org T 805.781.7104 �':1ull()C:IPtL.0u`:����,� From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@Rmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Dietrick, Christine Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 9:08 AM To: Christian, Kevin; Will Powers; Purrington, Teresa; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E- mail Council Website; Pease, Andy Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Will, I hope you are healthy and well. As you know, the legal noticing requirement for a regular meeting is 72 hours prior to a meeting, although the City consistently endeavors to provide both the agenda (legally required) and staff reports (not legally required) in a time frame that exceeds minimum legal requirements. Thank you for bringing the error to our attention, but with the correction, there is no legal barrier to proceeding with a May 20 meeting. This has been a difficult time for everyone and our City Clerks and IT team have done an incredible job trying to make available multiple safe options for continued public input. I have every confidence that you, in particular, are capable of submitting substantial and well -articulated input into any and all current public processes. Best, Christine Christine Dietrick City Attorney City Attorney"s Office 0 Fyalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 E cdietrick(slocity.org T 80 .781.714P0 ��':1ull()C:IPiL.0u`:����,i The information contained in -this e-mail message is intended only for -the CONFIDENTIAL use of -the desiginated addressee named above. The information -transmitted is subject -to -the attoriney-client privilege and/or represents confidential attorney work product. Recipients should not file copies of -this email with publicly accessible records. If you are not -the desiginated addressee named above or -the authorized agent respoinsible for delivering it -to -the desiginated addressee, you received -this document -through inadvertent error and any further review, dissemination, distribution or copying of -this communication by you or anyone else is strictly prohibited. IF YOU RECEIVED TF-111S COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE �NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY BY TELERF-IGNING TI.-IE SE�NDER �NAMED ABOVE AT (805) 7811-71140. Thank you. From: Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 8:09 AM To: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com>; Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Dear Mr. Powers, Thank you for pointing out the error. By no means did we intend to deny anybody their input on a public meeting. It was a simple typographical error made by me and I will correct it immediately. Sincerely, Kevin Christian Deputy City Clerk City Administration City Clerk's Office 0 Flalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 kchristian(o)-slocity.org T 805. 81. 104 �:!,0()C:IPtL.0u`:����,� From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <dlohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 9:55 AM To: Christian, Kevin; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E-mail Council Website; Pease, Andy; Dietrick, Christine Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Attachments: image001.png Mr. Christian: You still haven't addressed the issue of why there has to be a "special meeting" for one removal request. So what if it's a lot of trees being targeted for slaughter. Recall that, last year, the Madonna Plaza folk came in with a multi -tree slaughter request and that was dealt with at a regular meeting. What's the rush? Why can't this be addressed at the regular June meeting? Something stinks here and I believe that this is an effort by the city and CHP to take advantage of the populace's being distracted by Covid-19 to rush through something that is COMPLETELY over -reaching. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Council members Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick Will Powers, Ph.D On Fri, May 15, 2020, 8:09 AM Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org> wrote: Dear Mr. Powers, Thank you for pointing out the error. By no means did we intend to deny anybody their input on a public meeting. It was a simple typographical error made by me and I will correct it immediately. Sincerely, Kevin Christian Deputy City Clerk .�.11�­1 1P1111 .I b m 1, o......... City Administration City Clerk's Office 1 0 Flalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 kchristian(o)-slocity.org T 805. 81. 104 �:!,0()C:IPtL.0u`g, From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <dlohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Dietrick, Christine Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 10:04 AM To: Will Powers; Christian, Kevin; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E-mail Council Website; Pease, Andy Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Will, I am not intimately familiar with the details of the timing on this application, so I would suggest you first view any staff report and supporting info and then address those questions to staff or as part of the public meeting. I personally have never asked Matt Horn a question to which I have not received and intelligent and well -reasoned response. Christine Dietrick City Attorney City Attorney's Office 0 Fyalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 E cdietrick(slocity.org T 805.781.7140 ��':1ull()C:IPiL.0u`:����,i The information contained in -this e-mail message is intended only for -the CONFIDENTIAL use of -the desiginated addressee named above. The information -transmitted is subject -to -the attoriney-client privilege and/or represents confidential attorney work product. Recipients should not file copies of -this email with publicly accessible records. If you are not -the desiginated addressee named above or -the authorized agent respoinsible for delivering it -to -the desiginated addressee, you received -this document -through inadvertent error and any further review, dissemination, distribution or copying of -this communication by you or anyone else is strictly prohibited. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE �NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY BY TELERF-IGNING THE SE�NDER �NAMED ABOVE AT (805) 781-7140. Thank you. From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 9:55 AM To: Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Mr. Christian: You still haven't addressed the issue of why there has to be a "special meeting" for one removal request. So what if it's a lot of trees being targeted for slaughter. Recall that, last year, the Madonna Plaza folk came in with a multi -tree slaughter request and that was dealt with at a regular meeting. What's the rush? Why can't this be addressed at the regular June meeting? Something stinks here and I believe that this is an effort by the city and CHP to take advantage of the populace's being distracted by Covid-19 to rush through something that is COMPLETELY over -reaching. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Council members Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick Will Powers, Ph.D On Fri, May 15, 2020, 8:09 AM Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org> wrote: Dear Mr. Powers, Thank you for pointing out the error. By no means did we intend to deny anybody their input on a public meeting. It was a simple typographical error made by me and I will correct it immediately. Sincerely, Kevin Christian Deputy City Clerk City Administration City Clerk's Office 0 Flalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 kchristian(o)-slocity.org T 805.781.7104 �':1ull()C:IPtL.0u`g, From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <dlohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@Rmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra "5/2020 LO CITY CLERK Tonikian, Victoria From: Dietrick, Christine Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 10:04 AM To: Will Powers; Christian, Kevin; Johnson, Derek; Harmon, Heidi; E-mail Council Website; Pease, Andy Subject: RE: Violation of free speech Will, I am not intimately familiar with the details of the timing on this application, so I would suggest you first view any staff report and supporting info and then address those questions to staff or as part of the public meeting. I personally have never asked Matt Horn a question to which I have not received and intelligent and well -reasoned response. Christine Dietrick City Attorney City Attorney's Office 0 Fyalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249 E cdietrick(slocity.org T 805.781.7140 ��':1ull()C:IPiL.0u`:����,i The information contained in -this e-mail message is intended only for -the CONFIDENTIAL use of -the desiginated addressee named above. The information -transmitted is subject -to -the attoriney-client privilege and/or represents confidential attorney work product. Recipients should not file copies of -this email with publicly accessible records. If you are not -the desiginated addressee named above or -the authorized agent respoinsible for delivering it -to -the desiginated addressee, you received -this document -through inadvertent error and any further review, dissemination, distribution or copying of -this communication by you or anyone else is strictly prohibited. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE �NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY BY TELERF-IGNING THE SE�NDER �NAMED ABOVE AT (805) 781-7140. Thank you. From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 9:55 AM To: Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <djohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Mr. Christian: You still haven't addressed the issue of why there has to be a "special meeting" for one removal request. So what if it's a lot of trees being targeted for slaughter. Recall that, last year, the Madonna Plaza folk came in with a multi -tree slaughter request and that was dealt with at a regular meeting. What's the rush? Why can't this be addressed at the regular June meeting? Something stinks here and I believe that this is an effort by the city and CHP to take advantage of the populace's being distracted by Covid-19 to rush through something that is COMPLETELY over -reaching. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Council members Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick Will Powers, Ph.D On Fri, May 15, 2020, 8:09 AM Christian, Kevin <kchristi@slocity.org> wrote: Dear Mr. Powers, Thank you for pointing out the error. By no means did we intend to deny anybody their input on a public meeting. It was a simple typographical error made by me and I will correct it immediately. Sincerely, Kevin Christian Deputy City Clerk City Administration City Clerk's Office 0 Flalm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218 kchristian(o)-slocity.org T 805.781.7104 �':1ull()C:IPtL.0u`g, From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:22 PM To: Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <dlohnson@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org> Subject: Re: Violation of free speech Ms. Purrington: Thanks for the response. I guess. SLO Public Works, which now has a policy to intentionally stop city traffic for hours at a time, is in total disarray, so I'm not surprised to see that ANYTHING to do with Public Works is illegal. In any case, I do not believe that notice after hours today, May 14, for a May 20 meeting, is legally adequate, especially with no legal agenda, and I will notify Attorney General Becerra as such. What's the rush? Put 675 California on the June agenda and stop trying to cheat SLO residents and pander to the rich. Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Christine Dietrick On Thu, May 14, 2020, 7:07 PM Purrington, Teresa <TPurring@slocity.org> wrote: Mr. Powers, I apologize for the confusion. The meeting notice was for a special meeting to be held on May 20. You are correct the Agenda and packet posted were for the May 5 meeting. I do not have access to the agenda packet as it was created and posted by staff in Public Works. I will have the correct packet posted tomorrow and a new e-notification sent. Teresa Purrington City Clerk From: Will Powers <drwill.powers7@Rmail.com> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:45 PM To: Dietrick, Christine <cdietric@slocity.org>; Johnson, Derek <diohnson@slocity.org>; E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>; Harmon, Heidi <hharmon@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org> Subject: Violation of free speech Ms. Dietrick: Today, May 14, 2020, 1 received an email, telling me that the SLO Tree Committee "will have" a special meeting on "May 5, 2020", at which time it "will" discuss a request for tree removal at 675 California Avenue in SLO. Uh, how exactly am I supposed to view the proposed site and have input when I get an email NINE DAYS AFTER THE MEETING? It is illegal for a public agency's meeting to take place without proper notice (I believe that has something to do with a little thing called the Brown Act). If the Tree Committee took ANY action on May 5, that action is illegal and should be deemed null and void. There has been a continuing effort on the part of San Luis Obispo in recent months to deny citizens the right to have input into the actions of those who govern them (cf. Mayor Harmon's attempt to limit public comment at City Council meetings). If illegal actions such as this one are allowed to continue, what will be left of our so-called democracy? It's bad enough that we have a wanna-be dictator as President; must we also have heavy-handed moves on the local level, as well? Will Powers, Ph.D c: Derek Johnson Mayor Harmon Andy Pease California Attorney General Xavier Becerra