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City attorneys give annual Open Meeting Law and parliamentary procedure training
Summary
City attorney Carl Cooper and deputy city attorney Amy Schreiber gave the commission required annual training on ArizonaOpen Meeting Law, quorums, electronic communications, conflict-of-interest procedures and basic motions and debate rules.
City Attorney Carl Cooper and Deputy City Attorney Amy Schreiber provided the commission with the annual Open Meeting Law and parliamentary-procedure training required for public bodies in Arizona.
The presentation explained that ‘‘the public's business must be conducted in public so that the public is aware of what's going on with government,’’ and reviewed notice, agenda, quorum and communications rules under state law. Schreiber said only items listed on an agenda should be discussed and warned that taking action on an item not properly noticed is ‘‘null and void.’’
Why it matters: the training reiterates legal limits on how commissioners communicate about public business, how meetings must be posted and how conflicts of interest are handled so the commission's decisions and process remain legally defensible and transparent.
Key points covered included the quorum definition (a majority of members), the prohibition on using electronic communications (email, social media, texting) to form a quorumed discussion, the 24-hour minimum notice requirement and best practices for handling public comment. The presenters noted that calls to the public are discretionary under state law and that a commission may adopt a reasonable time limit; this commission noted a three-minute practice.
Cooper reviewed conflict-of-interest procedures, urging members to disclose pecuniary or proprietary interests, fill out the required paperwork and step aside from discussion and voting when appropriate. He said remote-interest provisions exist but advised commissioners to consult legal staff when unsure.
On running meetings, Cooper summarized basic motion practice: obtain recognition from the chair, make clear motions, wait for a second, allow discussion and then vote. He emphasized plain-language motions so the public and members know exactly what is being decided.
Commissioners asked for a copy of the presentation; the attorneys said staff would distribute it and encouraged members to call the City Attorney's Office with questions.
