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2/28/2024 <br />13 <br />Special Laws and <br />Concerns for City <br />Commissioners <br />•Open Meeting Law <br />•Ordinance vs Resolution vs Motion <br />•City’s Policies <br />•Gift Law <br />•Conflicts of Interest <br />•Contract Authority <br />•Data Practices <br />•Complaints <br />•Crisis Communications <br />Open Meeting Law <br />What is it? <br />A requirement that pubic meetings must be open to the public. A “meeting” means a quorum of elected officials (here, three) where City business is discussed. Some <br />meetings may be closed, and certain meetings must be closed. <br />Rule <br />A meeting of a public body must be open to the public and can only be held after advance notice of the meeting has been given unless an exception applies <br />Purpose <br />Protects public’s right to be informed <br />Who Cares? <br />Residents and especially the press <br />“But I didn’t think that was a meeting!” <br />•Before or after an open meeting <br />•Social gatherings where 3 or more Commission Members attend and City business is discussed <br />•Serial meetings <br />•Phone <br />•Email <br />Penalties <br />•Bad press <br />•Commission member subject to <br />$300 fine and forfeiture of office <br />after three intentional violations <br />•Attorney fees (up to $13,000) may <br />be assessed against the City