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Dan Tesch, City Administrator City of Lino Lakes Page 2 July 27, 2009 A city's charter may "prescribe methods of procedure in respect to the operation of the government thereby created, * * *." Minn. Stat. §410.07. While neither state statute nor the City's Charter defines "operation of the government," electronic recordings of council meetings are the subject of legislative requirements (See Chapt. 13D, Open Meeting Laws). While placing a requirement to televise City Council proceedings in the City's governing document is unusual, such a requirement does not violate Minnesota law. However, the proposed ordinance is vague. The language of the proposal raises the following issues and concerns: (1) "regular open council meetings " - What does this mean? There is no lawful provision for any regular closed meetings. (2) "the Open Mike (sic) portion " -Is this portion occurring outside of the regular council meeting? Does the use of the term create a requirement to continue to have an "Open Mike" item on every agenda? "council work sessions" — We assume that this is a term used to denote council meetings where no action by the council occurs. However, the term is neither found in state statute nor the City's Charter. If the dates for these type of sessions are part of a schedule adopted by the council, they are regular meetings. Otherwise, the sessions would be classified as special meetings and are subject to the requirements of Chapt. 13D.04 of the statutes. Does the use of the term "council work sessions" create a requirement to continue to have "council work sessions "? (3) If the council establishes committees or subcommittees, are such gatherings council work sessions? Is the term meant to imply only a gathering of the council as a whole? If you have any other questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to call. Cordially, SEVERSON _ 1 _ ON, DOUGHERTY & MOLENDA, P.A. fchael G. 11 ou_. •