by Derek P. Cole on December 9, 2014
posted in
CEQA,
Agencies should make sure the notices they give under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) do not end on a holiday. So ruled a court in a recent case challenging the approval of a tentative map.
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by Derek P. Cole on December 2, 2014
posted in
Ethics,
The question is one that small local agencies often face. What happens when the agency needs to purchase goods or services from a company that is at least partially owned by one of its elected officials? A very recent Attorney General opinion answers Continue Reading
by Derek P. Cole on August 28, 2014
posted in
Law Enforcement, Medical Marijuana, Proposition 215,
Local governments in California—and especially law enforcement agencies—know all too well the many myths that pervade the medical-marijuana movement. From the notion that California has “legalized” marijuana for medical purposes (those who legitimately Continue Reading
by Derek P. Cole on August 20, 2014
posted in
Inverse Condemnation, Public Works, Streets and Sidewalks,
If a tree falls in the middle of a forest when no one is around, one can debate whether it makes a sound. But if a city-owned tree falls on private property and causes damage, the city’s liability cannot be debated. So ruled a court on August 14, Continue Reading
by Derek P. Cole on August 12, 2014
posted in
CEQA, Elections, Initiatives,
Californians are fond of government by initiative. At the ballot box, state voters have registered their preferences on a number of hot-button issues. Voters have done the same at the local level, often using the initiative power to slow the pace Continue Reading