03-22-2023 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Open Meeting Law (OML) Public deliberations and processes shall be conducted openly and in a transparent manner. The Minnesota Open Meeting Law requires that meetings of governmental bodies generally be open to the public in order 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 • Assure the public’s right to be informed and observe public meetings The Minnesota Supreme Court has noted that meetings of less than a quorum of a public body held serially to avoid a public meeting or to fashion agreement on an issue of public business may violate the open meeting law. Gift/Donations Gifts from Interested Persons: Under MN Statute 471.895, Council Members may not receive gifts from any “interested person” in conjunction with their City Council duties. • A “gift” is defined as money, real or personal property, a service, loan, a forbearance or forgiveness of debt, or a promise of future employment, that is given and received without the giver receiving something of equal or greater value in return • "Interested person" means a person or a representative of a person or association that has a direct financial interest in a decision that a local official is authorized to make o Virtually every resident or person doing business in the City could have a direct financial interest in a decision • See statute for exemptions Gifts to the City: Council Members can recommend acceptance of general gifts through the City’s donation policy. All gifts to the city must be accepted by City Council resolution. Logo Council Members shall not use the City’s name or logo for the purpose of endorsing any political candidate, business, initiative, or entity. Conflict of Interest Conflict of interest is when any member who has a “financial interest” in, or who may receive a financial benefit as a result of, any action or if there is potential for the appearance of conflict of interest. Questions about a potential conflict of interest shall be discussed with the City Administrator. Contractual Conflict of interest: (MN Statute 471.87, with exceptions in MN Statutes 123B.195 and 471.88). A public officer who is authorized to take part in any manner in making any sale, lease, or contract in official capacity shall not voluntarily have a personal financial interest in that sale, lease, or contract or personally benefit financially therefrom. Non-contractual Conflict of interest: Non-contractual matters may include such things as Council decisions on zoning, local improvements, and the issuance of licenses. Although not generally prohibited by state law, an interested Council Member most likely should abstain from participating in the council discussion and from voting on these issues.