SERVICE
File a complaint with the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force
We can investigate a lack of response to FOI requests or any lack of transparency by City boards or commissions.
Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF)What to know
Jurisdiction
We can only look at complaints where the City has not complied with the Sunshine Ordinance, the Public Records Act or the Public Meetings Act. If you have a complaint about anything else to do with the City, call 311 or the department in question.
Resolution
We try to resolve complaints informally when possible. Where that’s not possible, the complaint may be discussed at a Task Force meeting.
What to know
Jurisdiction
We can only look at complaints where the City has not complied with the Sunshine Ordinance, the Public Records Act or the Public Meetings Act. If you have a complaint about anything else to do with the City, call 311 or the department in question.
Resolution
We try to resolve complaints informally when possible. Where that’s not possible, the complaint may be discussed at a Task Force meeting.
What to do
1. Contact us first
Call, email or speak to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF) in person to discuss your complaint. We check that we can help, and look at solving the problem informally.
If we can’t help, or if we can’t solve your complaint informally, we will talk with you about your legal rights, the filing process, and what you can expect as an outcome of your complaint.
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
2. Draft your complaint
If we can’t help you solve the problem informally, you can submit a complaint form or a letter to the SOTF. In your complaint or letter, you need to include:
- Name of the department, agency or body you are complaining about.
- Name of the person who handled your request in that department.
For example: John Smith at the Police Department
You will also need to write a clear and concise description of what happened, and why you feel that what happened violates the public records, public meetings or the Sunshine Ordinance.
Your description should include:
- What documents you requested
- Date of request
- What response you received
- Date of response
- A description of how the issue violates public records or public meeting laws, including reference to relevant sections of the law when possible
- Documentation supporting your claim or shows violations.
- How we should contact you
We can work with you to to help you present a strong case. However, if we don’t have enough information, we may not consider your case.
Your information
Your complaint will be on the public record. To remain anonymous, list your name as ‘Anonymous,’ use anonymized contact information and make sure the information you submit does not reveal your identity. We can not accept an alias or alternate name on the complaint, and we do not redact or edit your submission.
3. File your complaint
You can submit your complaint online.
You can also submit your complaint another way. You must first download the complaint form, fill it out, and write up your complaint.
Sunshine Ordinance Complaint Form
Then either:
- Mail your complaint to sotf@sfgov.org
- Fax it to 415-554-5163
- Deliver it in person to
Administrator of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force
City Hall, Room 244
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4683
4. Next steps
After you file a complaint, we will review it to see if we have jurisdiction over the matter under the Sunshine Ordinance.
If we determine that we have jurisdiction, we may schedule a hearing before the full task force. If we determine that we do not have jurisdiction, you can request a reconsideration of this decision before the full task force.
After a hearing, the Task Force will issue an Order of Determination stating the outcome of the proceeding and any decisions made regarding violations of public records or public meetings laws.
Special cases
Legislative references
Submitting additional information
Parties to a complaint can submit additional information to the Task Force up to 5 working days before a scheduled hearing. If either party submits material after this deadline, the Task Force may proceed without consideration of these materials. Alternatively, if new, relevant materials become available after the 5-day deadline, the complainant may incorporate this information into a new complaint or may ask to have the hearing postponed until the next Task Force meeting.
Complaints against SOTF or a member of SOTF
For complaints naming a single member of the SOTF, that member will be instructed to present their case before the SOTF as a respondent; additionally, that member must recuse themself from participating in the discussion for that complaint and from voting on it as a member of the SOTF.
The SOTF will not conduct formal hearings on complaints naming a committee of the SOTF or the full SOTF due to a conflict of interest. For those complaints, the SOTF Administrator shall refer the complainants to Administrative Code 67.35 for information on how they may institute proceedings for enforcement by other entities, and to further inform the complainants that they may submit their complaints to the SOTF Administrator for an informal discussion.
Partner agencies
Contact us
Address
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102