Boards and Commissions Training Quiz

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* 1. What Council policy governs the Boards and Commissions?

Council Policy 1-8

Council Policy 0-4

Council Policy 0-0-7

None, only the municipal code governs Boards and Commissions

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* 2. Which of the Following is a Charter Commission

a) Youth, Civil Service, Salary Setting

b) Planning, Civil Service, Salary Setting

c) Planning, Human Service, Salary Setting

d) Planning, Parks and Recreation, Salary Setting

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* 3. What is the difference between an Advisory Body and a Decision Making Body?

The Advisory Body provides non-binding strategic advice and a Decision Making Body is authorized to approve or deny

Advisory Body is authorized to approve or deny and a Decision Making Body provides non-binding strategic advice

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* 4. What is the purpose of the Brown Act?

The purpose is to deny the public to be informed and participate in the decisions and actions of their local government

Ban the use of brown in government properties

The purpose is to allows the Government to be informed and participate in the decisions and actions of their local populace

The purpose is to allow the public to be informed and participate in the decisions and actions of their local government

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* 5. To whom does the Brown Act apply?

It only applies to the City Council and Council Committees

It applies to any legislative body, decision making body or advisory, including Boards, Commissions, and subcommittees

It applies to only subcommittees of regular committees

It only applies to the State legislature

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* 6. How does the Brown Act define a Meeting?

A meeting is when a majority of commissioners are present at the same time and place to “hear, discuss, deliberate or take action” on something that is within the commission’s subject matter jurisdiction.

A meeting is when a majority of commissioners are present at the same time and place to hear the State of the City Speech

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* 7. Which of these are not a meeting? (Select all that apply)

Individual contacts by members of the public

Attending a Conference

A meeting of a majority of commissioners about a topic in the commission's subject matter jurisdiction

Attending an open and publicized community meeting

Attending a subcommittee of your commission

Attending a Social Function

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* 8. Which of these is an example of a Daisy Chain Serial Meeting?

Member A talks to Member B and then talks to Member C about the same topic.

Member A talks to Member B who then talks to Member C about the Same Topic.

Member A ignores Member B and then talks to Member C about the same topic.

Member A talks to Member B and C in the same meeting about the same topic

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* 9. Which of these is an example of a Hub and Spoke meeting?

Member A ignores Member B and then talks to Member D about the same topic.

Member A talks to Member B who then talks to Member C about the Same Topic.

Member A talks to Member B and then talks to Member D about the same topic.

Member A talks to Member B and C in the same meeting about the same topic

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* 10. How can a member use email to violate the Brown Act?

Send email to each member individually for pertinent reasons

Send email in all CAPS

Replying to All

Using email to manage a To Do list

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* 11. The City Clerk’s office has an agenda item template that should be used. Any deviation from this template requires approval by your Commission’s designated Council Committee.

True

False

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* 12. Which of the following applies to public comment at a meeting? (Select all that apply)

Limited to within the scope of the Commission’s subject matter jurisdiction

Required for regular meetings

Highly recommended for special meetings

Chair has discretion to limit time when appropriate

Speakers using a translator get twice the time

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* 13. Which of the following is appropriate for the commission to respond to public comment? (Select all that apply)

Refer the speaker to staff

Engage in a debate with the speaker

Refer the speaker to appropriate reference material

Request staff to report back at a future meeting

Ask staff to provide an immediate response at the meeting

Direct staff to place the matter on a future agenda

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* 14. How does the City’s Sunshine (Open Government) Rules differ from the Brown Act?

Sunshine Commission agendas post 7 days ahead, not 72 hours ahead. Special meeting agendas post 4 days ahead, not 24 hours.

Brown Act and Sunshine Commission agendas 72 hours ahead. Special meeting agendas post 4 days ahead, not 24 hours.

Brown Act and Sunshine Commission agendas post 7 days ahead, not 72 hours ahead. Brown Act and Sunshine Special meeting agendas post 24 hours ahead.

Brown Act and Sunshine Commission agendas post 7 days ahead. Special meeting agendas post 4 days ahead, not 24 hours.

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* 15. In what situations should the Commissioner recuse herself?

the decision has a material financial effect regardless if it is foreseeable or not.

the decision will have a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect distinguishable from the public generally.

the decision effects a celebrity’s stock portfolio.

the decision has a potential positive financial impact on the city.

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* 16. What should the Commissioner do if he thinks he could have a conflict?

Do nothing and hope it goes away.

Ask staff in your office what they think.

Contact the attorney assigned to the commission.

Chat about it by the office water cooler.

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* 17. Sources of potential financial interests include but are not limited to: (select all that apply)

Your income.

Promised income.

Income of a spouse / domestic partner / or child.

Lottery tickets

Loans.

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* 18. Real property interest of $2,000 or more include: (Select all that apply)

Direct or indirect.

Spouse / domestic partner / or child’s property.

Property you own in Idaho

Leasehold interest (except month to month).

500-foot rule.

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* 19. Though City policy 1.2.2 has detailed extensive exceptions, when it comes to gifts as a general rule:

no gifts over $1,000 from anyone who is in or does business with the city of San Jose per calendar year.

no gifts over $75 from anyone who is in or does business with the city of San Jose per calendar year and no gifts from lobbyists but dinner is ok if you pay the tip.

no gifts over $50 from anyone who is in or does business with the city of San Jose per calendar year and no gifts from lobbyists.

no gifts over $499 from anyone who is in or does business with the city of San Jose per calendar year and gifts from lobbyists are ok under $1,000.

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* 20. If you think you have a disqualifying interest you should: (Select all that apply)

Recuse yourself on the record from participating in discussion or voting and refrain from attempting to influence the decision and fill out Declaration of Conflict of Interest Form.

Stay on the dais and surf the internet

Step down from the dais and leave the room

Speak only as a member of the public with respect to interests that are solely your own

Sit in the front row of the audience and sigh heavily and roll your eyes to show the commission how you feel

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* 21. The parliamentary procedures for commissions include:

Establish a Quorum, announce Agenda Item Number and Subject, invite commissioner to present the item, ask members of the commission if they have questions of clarification, invite Public Comments, and invite a motion.

Announce Agenda Item Number and Subject, invite commissioner to present the item, ask members of the commission if they have questions of clarification, invite Public Comments, invite a motion, and vote.

Establish a Quorum, invite staff / commissioner to present the item, ask members of the commission if they have questions of clarification, invite Public Comments, and invite a motion.

Establish a Quorum, announce Agenda Item Number and Subject, invite staff / commissioner to present the item, ask members of the commission if they have questions of clarification, invite Public Comments, invite a motion, and vote.

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* 22. You are required to vote:

using a silent vote.

by hand, verbal, or public display screen.

by private text message.

through winks and nods.

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* 23. Consolidated Board and Commission Policy 0-4 is very comprehensive; this council policy 0-4 consists of these topics: (Select all that apply)

Attend Meetings with at least 50% of the length of the entire meeting and notify Commission Secretary in advance about excused absences

Abide by Code of Conduct & Code of Ethics as described in council policy 0-15 and city policy 1.2.2.

Conduct meetings in dignified and courteous manner; Be professional, respectful and courteous to staff and public; and support Chair’s effort to conduct meeting effectively and fairly.

Tell City staff what to do and direct them in their job

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* 24. Based on council policy 0-4 the role of a chair is to preside at a meeting, what does this entail? (select all that apply)

Limit commissioners who don't agree with the Chair

Run meetings in an orderly, efficient manner.

Manage conflicts that may arise.

Ask the Commission Secretary to manage your calendar

Keep discussion on topic.

Stick to the agenda.

Cut short speakers who are criticizing the Commission

Apply speaker time limits dispassionately and fairly

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* 25. Based on council policy 0-4 the acceptable use of commission titles is:

use of the commission titles include resume, biography, and city-issued email signature

Non city email signatures.

Political endorsement /campaigns.

When representing yourself at a county meeting

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* 26. Council policy 0-4 also lists several don’ts including don’t: (Select all that apply)

Don't use your Commissioner title to make personal political endorsements

Don't interview candidates for political office or endorse such candidates

Don't individually or as a body independently support or oppose legislation, including ballot measures

Don't attend regular meetings consistently

Don't contact City consultants outside of a Commission meeting, unless authorized by the City

Don't represent City or Commission in front of other non-City entities (e.g., County or VTA boards) without express approval from Council

Don't use your city email for commission business

Don't accept money or favors for performing your City duties

Don't use confidential information

Don't discriminate against anyone

Don't participate in discussions during the meeting about agenda topics

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* 27. Standing Committees are made solely of less than a quorum of the commission, have a continuing subject matter jurisdiction or meeting scheduled fixed by the commission, are Brown Act bodies that require additional staff support, and are generally not allowed unless pre-approved by Council Committee

True

False

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* 28. Ad Hoc (Temporary) Committees are made solely of less than a quorum of the commission, have specific short term tasks or projects, and last less than 6 months.

True

False

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* 29. San Jose Municipal Code 2.08 states that an automatic resignation will happen if there are unexcused absences from any 3 consecutive regular meetings, or more than 20% of the total number of regular meetings in any calendar year. They can be reappointed by the council of the council finds that there was a good excuse for the absences and that it is in the City’s best interest.

True

False

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* 30. You must have a quorum to hold a meeting; a quorum is a majority of the total number of seats whether filled or vacant.

True

False

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* 31. Out of a 11-member commission 6 are present, a vote has been held with 4 voting for and 2 against; does it pass and if not why?

No, since a minimum of 6 votes of yes are required for an 11 member commission.

No, since there are not enough votes.

No, since all members must be present for a vote.

Yes, on a majority of those present need to vote yes for it to pass.

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* 32. Why must the agenda contain a brief description of every item to be discussed and the proposed action, and this must be clear enough for the public to understand what is going to be discussed

So the commission staff can skip preparing presentations and staff reports

So the Commission doesn't have to read the staff reports

So members of the public can know whether or not they should attend the meeting

Because the state is picky about things like this

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* 33. Commissioners can comment on certain unagendized items as long as there is no discussion or action. The types of comments that are acceptable include: (select all that apply)

Brief responses to public comment

Asking clarification questions

Referring item to staff for a future meeting

Debating a member of the public during open forum

Brief announcements

Discussing a recent news item that is within the subject matter of the commission that occurred after the agenda was posted.

Brief report by the Commissioner on his or her activities

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* 34. The Consequences for a Brown Act Violation are:

If there was intent to deprive the public of information, it can be a misdemeanor.

There are civil and criminal penalties.

The commission can be civilly sued and be liable for costs and attorneys' fees.

All of the above

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* 35. For those required to file, Form 700’s and Family Gift Reports are required within 30 days of assuming or leaving office, and annually on:

January 1

April 1

July 1

October 1

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* 36. Enter Your Name and Commission

First and Last Name

Commission Name