HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 09 2016 Open Meeting Law Refresher Report
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION REPORT
MEETING DATE: MAY 9, 2016
AGENDA #: B
PREPARED BY: SARAH SCHWARZHOFF, CITY ATTORNEY
PRESENTED BY: SARAH SCHWARZHOFF
AGENDA ITEM: OPEN MEETING LAW REFRESHER
INTRODUCTION: Meetings of governmental bodies are required to be open to the public subject
to limited exceptions according to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law which was
originally enacted in Laws 1957.
TOPICS: The City Attorney has prepared a PowerPoint for this presentation which will
be the primary focus of discussion. The information for this work session
discusses the groups and types of meetings covered by the open meeting law
and reviews the requirements of and exceptions to the law and the penalties
for its violation. The Minnesota Supreme Court has articulated three purposes
of the open meeting law:
• To prohibit actions being taken at a secret meeting where it is
impossible for the interested public to become fully informed about a
public board’s decisions or to detect improper influences.
• To assure the public’s right to be informed.
• To afford the public an opportunity to present its views to the public
body.
CONCLUSION: Since the township board and clerk will be joining us at 7pm we suggested
that they joint us for this portion of the work session as well. This
presentation serves as a refresher for all of us to ensure compliance with
open meeting law.