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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required to be open to the public subject to limited exceptions according to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law which was originally enacted in Laws 1957.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.