Access to lobbyist information
About lobbyist information
The Santa Ana Municipal Code Chapter 2, Article II.III, Section 2-156 requires Access to Lobbyist Information to be made available on the city’s website. Official filings not included on this website, may be obtained by contacting the City Clerk's office at: (714) 647-6520 during regular business hours. Provided below are the following:
Conflict of Interest Rules & Information
Under the Political Reform Act, a public official has a disqualifying conflict of interest in a governmental decision if it is foreseeable that the decision will have a financial impact on their personal finances or other financial interests. In such cases, there is a risk of biased decision-making that could sacrifice the public’s interest in favor of the official’s private financial interests. To avoid actual bias or the appearance of possible improprieties, the public official is prohibited from participating in the decision.
Recusal Requirements
An official with a disqualifying conflict of interest may not make, participate in making, or use their position to influence a governmental decision. When appearing before their own agency or an agency subject to the authority or budgetary control of their agency, an official is making, participating in making, or using their position to influence a decision any time the official takes any action to influence the decision including directing a decision, voting, providing information or a recommendation, or contacting or appearing before any other agency official. When appearing before any other agency, the official must not act or purport to act in their official capacity or on behalf of their agency.
Certain officials (including city council members, planning commissioners, and members of the boards of supervisors) have a mandated manner in which they must disqualify from decisions made at a public meeting (including closed session decisions) and must publicly identify a conflict of interest and leave the room before the item is discussed.
While there are limited exceptions that allow a public official to participate as a member of the public and speak to the press, the exceptions are interpreted narrowly and may require advice from your agency’s counsel or the FPPC.
The City of Santa Ana has specific recusal requirements. Please see Santa Ana Municipal Code 2-105 – Disqualifications and abstentions for more information.