San Luis Obispo City Council members unanimously decided to adapt confidentiality policies for elected officials on Sept. 15. Elected officials must discuss with the city manager, city attorney or a grand jury designee before sharing the information prior to official public release of grand jury reports.
The changes were proposed after San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart received criticism for sharing a San Luis Obispo County grand jury report with Cal Poly officials regarding how the city handles unpermitted fraternity parties before its public release.
The city’s Personnel Board later found that Stewart violated city policy but voted against recommending a censuring hearing. The new guidelines provide clarifying language for the mayor and council members to know how to proceed with possible grand jury reports and information in the future.
“[The guidelines] only serve to bring clarity to the process but that should not slow down the timeline to release information,” Vice Mayor Emily Francis said.
For some students, who learns information first can shape public trust.
”[Information] should be released to all parties at once, if it’s sprinkled in there starts to be doubt,” said Kai Sasaki, architecture junior. “If all parties know at once, it’s more fair.”
Students around Cal Poly want to stay aware of new statutes and policies in San Luis Obispo County.
“I think it’s really important for the public to know as soon as it’s possible for decisions to be made,” said Adam Weingart, civil engineering freshman.
The city council put the policy adaptations into effect, and they will review them further if needed.