Agenda Packets - 1999/12/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council November 22, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 14 Expending City Funds, the Meetings Will Occur in the Council Chambers, Or in the City Hall Building. Council Member Stigney inquired how this policy would apply to the Charter Commission. Mayor Coughlin stated the Charter Commission is subject to Open Meeting Law, and if they utilize City facilities of any sort, they would also be subject to this policy. Council Member Quick inquired if any commission or other bodies of government that expend City funds would therefore be required to hold their meetings at the City Hall. Mayor Coughlin stated they would not necessarily be required to hold their meetings in the City Hall, however, if they did, they would be subject to the policy. Council Member Quick advised that the City Hall is the seat of government, and many years ago, meetings of the City Council had been held offsite, which resulted in a problem within the community, regarding the accessibility to the Council Meetings. He stated he would like staff to craft verbiage which indicates that if the groups are expending City funds, the meetings will occur in the Council Chambers, or in the City Hall building. Mayor Coughlin inquired if the seconder would agree to this amendment. Council Member Marty agreed. Council Member Stigney pointed out that the remote broadcasts of meetings such as those at the Pinewood Elementary School would be contradictory to this. Mayor Coughlin clarified that this motion was to direct professional legal staff and administrative staff to draft a resolution to address the foreseeable concerns, after which, the resolution would be brought before the Council for discussion at a future Work Session. He explained that if there are additional concerns or suggestions at that time, the Council could amend the draft resolution. City Attorney Long stated in his understanding, there were three points for consideration. He stated that staff would be directed to draft a resolution or ordinance that would require City related groups subject to Open Meeting Law to meet in the City Hall building, if they are receiving public funds. He explained that this would exclude certain functions, such as those of the School District, which are subject to Open Meeting Law, however, do not receive City funds. City Attorney Long stated the second point pertains to meetings held within the building, which would be subject to being broadcast, and subject to broadcast availability. He stated he assumed, therefore, they would not be required to cancel a meeting if staff was not present, and would simply indicate that staffing was not available to broadcast the meeting when it occurred. City Attorney Long indicated that a question arises with the issue of attempting to require meetings be held in the City facility. He explained for example, the Parks and Recreation Commission does not receive City funds, per se, however, it does receive City staff support, therefore, language may be required to specifically address this situation. He stated however, the