Agenda - Council - 09/25/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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other business at this meeting. The rationale behind allowing closed meetings for labor strategy negotiations was stated in a Florida case. In Bassett v. Braddock, 262 So.2d 425 (Fla. 1972), the Florida Supreme Court stated: The "other side" (teachers' negotiator) is being "coached" and given advises privately and from time to time during the bargaining period; it is only common sense and fair play that "our team" have the same advantage in order to be effective in his efforts. It might be noted that in a case like the present where the negotiator is an attorney that certainly he is entitled to consult on matters regarding preliminary advises. He is also thereby guided toward an effective result. It is not that appellees are "hiding" anything but simply trying to get the best "bargain" available for the public schools and not to be placed at a disadvantage in their efforts.18 The rationale is to put the public body on equal footing with the employee group to discuss strategy. In the event the public employer wishes to hold a closed meeting, it must take a number of steps to comply with the statute. As noted above, the public employer must first obtain a majority vote in an open meeting to hold the closed meeting. In addition: the time of commencement and place of the closed meeting shall be announced at the public meeting. A written roll of members and all other persons present at the closed meeting shall be made available tot he public after the closed meeting. The proceedings of a closed meeting shall be tape recorded at the expense of the governing body and shall be preserved by it for two years after the contract is signed and shall be made available to the public after all labor contracts are signed by the 18 Bassett v. Braddock, 262 So.2d at 428. 11