SAN FERNANDO : Rules Requested for Closed Sessions

In an effort to settle a dispute that arose over closed-door sessions of the San Fernando City Council, the city attorney has been asked to draft rules requiring a written account of all such meetings in the future.

At the behest of Councilman Jose Hernandez, who last month accused fellow members of making decisions behind his back, minutes will be taken during future non-public council meetings, with all members agreeing on their content before the session ends.

City Atty. Julia Sylva will draft a resolution outlining the procedure and detailing how long the council should maintain the written record of closed sessions. State law allows barring the public from council sessions that deal with personnel matters.

Hernandez backed down from an earlier proposal that the sessions be taped after Mayor Daniel Acuna protested that taping would inhibit frank discussion by council members.

“In the history of the city, this has never been an issue,” Acuna said. “Why don’t we say, ‘Let’s have a blood test and photo taken when we go in and come out?’ ”

But Councilman Doude Wysbeek said tape recorders “have no amnesia” and might be better than written notes.

“If we’re going to have notes, we might as well tape,” Councilman Raymond Ojeda added.

Council members eventually agreed that notes would be less intimidating than a taped transcript.

The council has drawn public ire over its closed-door handling of an investigation into abuse of authority by parks Director Jess Margarito, who also is being scrutinized by the district attorney’s office.

Hernandez and Councilwoman Rosa Chacon last month accused fellow panelists of misconstruing a closed-session decision on the Margarito investigation. But in a recorded account of the closed session, neither could prove the contention.

In other action, the council passed a resolution requiring merchants to pay a $41 fee to erect banners, streamers and other movable temporary signs and keep them up for no longer than 105 days a year. The move was the final set of rules in the council’s yearlong effort at regulating signs in the city. In October, the council amended a zoning ordinance for signs in the central business district.