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RELEVANT LINKS: Minn. Stat. § 13.072, subd. I(b). See IPAD for an index of advisory opinions by topic. See Requesting an Open Meeting Law Advisory Opinion from IPAD Minn. Stat. § 8.07. See index of Attorney General Advisory opinions from 1993 to present. Minn. Stat. § 13D.06, subd. 2. O'Keefe v. Carter. No. Al2- 0811 (Minn. Ct. App. Dec. 31, 2012) (unpublished decision). Minn. Stat. § 541.07 (2). Minn. Stat. § 131706, subds. 1, 4. Minn. Stat. § 1311706, subd. 4. See LMCIT risk management memo, Defense Cosi Reimbursement Coverage For Open Meeting Law and Bankruptcy Lawsuits, for information about insurance coverage for lawsuits under the open meeting law. H. Advisory opinions 1. Department of Administration The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration has authority to issue non-binding advisory opinions on certain issues related to the open meeting law. A $200 fee is required. The Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) of the Department of Administration handles these requests. A public body subject to the open meeting law can request an advisory opinion from the commissioner. A person who disagrees with the manner in which members of a governing body perform their duties under the open meeting law can also request an advisory opinion. 2. Minnesota Attorney General The Minnesota Attorney General is authorized to issue written advisory opinions to city attorneys on "questions of public importance." The Attorney General has issued several advisory opinions on the open meeting law. 1. Penalties An action to enforce the open meeting law may be brought by any person in any court of competent jurisdiction where the administrative office of the governing body is located. In an unpublished decision, the court of appeals concluded that this broad grant of jurisdiction authorized a member of a town board to bring an action against his own town board for alleged violations of the open meeting law. This same decision also concluded that a two-year statute of limitations applies to lawsuits under the open meeting law. A councilmember who intentionally violates the open meeting law can be subject to personal liability in the form of a civil penalty of up to $300. The city may not pay this penalty. A court may take into account a councilmember's time and experience in office to determine the amount of the penalty. In addition, a court may award reasonable costs, disbursements, and attorney fees of up to $13,000 to the person who brought the violation to court. The court may award costs and attorney fees to a city only if the action is found to be frivolous and without merit. A city may pay for any costs, disbursements, and attorney fees awarded. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 11/14/2014 Meetings of City Councils Page 22