Brown Act
The Ralph M. Brown Act consists of state laws which govern public meetings. The Brown Act affects City Councils, County Boards of Supervisors, School Boards, and other elected officials. Committees and Commissions created by these bodies, e.g. our Planning Commission, also fall under the Brown Act.
The Brown Act "guarantees the public's right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies." The Act includes not only laws passed years ago, but subsequent court decisions and State Attorney General opinions that clarify and apply those laws.
All meetings of the Trinidad City Council, Planning Commission and Council-created committees, e.g. the Finance Committee, must be conducted using Brown Act guidelines.
You can read or download the Brown
Act (pdf) (opens in a new browser window). 
You can also get a copy from the California State Attorney General's Office at: http://www.ag.ca.gov (opens in a new browser window).