Agenda - Council - 04/23/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: RE: DATE: Ramsey City Council and all city Commission William K. Goodrich, city Attorney Open Meeting Law April 16, 1991 The following is intended to be in outline form useful open meeting law information. Purpose. To prevent action from being taken at a secret meeting, wherein it is impossible for the interested public to become fully informed concerning the Council's decisions or to detect improper influences. To assure the public's right to be informed. To afford the public opportunity to present its views to the Council. II. Requirements. Proper Notice. Open meetings - all meetings permitted or required by law. Minutes and proper recordation of votes. III. Applications. Ail City Council Meetings. Any committee, subcommittee or commission of the City Council meetings. (1) Examples include personnel committee; road and bridge committee; planning commission; horse care commission; fire board; any committee or commission acting as a subcommittee; and any commission acting as a hiring body. IV. Exceptions. Does not include a meeting of less than a quorum of any official body. Other exceptions per statute. Examples. (1) The planning commission has three members. One of the members is discussing, in private, a planning issue with staff. No violation. (2) Two members of a three member hiring committee are interviewing perspective city administrators. An open meeting violation. (3) One of three hiring committee members is interviewing potential city administrator candidates. No violation. Violation of Open Meeting Law. Minnesota law provides that violation of the open meeting law will result in civil penalty not to exceed $100.00o SO