Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Meetings Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kaysville city attorney gives annual Open and Public Meetings Act training to council
Summary
City Attorney Nick Mills delivered the annual Open and Public Meetings Act refresher. He reviewed when meetings must be open, permitted reasons to close a meeting, the definition of a meeting, and cautioned against deliberating by email or text.
KAYSVILLE, Utah — Nick Mills, Kaysville city attorney, presented the city council with the annual Open and Public Meetings Act training at the May 11 council meeting, reminding elected officials of statutory requirements for public deliberations and meeting notices.
"This is annual training that's required by the state," Mills said. He summarized the act's core principle: political subdivisions exist to conduct the people's business, and therefore their deliberations and official actions must be taken openly unless a closed meeting is expressly permitted by statute. "A meeting is when you come together as a body to discuss, receive comments from the public about or act on a matter which you have jurisdiction over," Mills said.
Mills reviewed several practical points: only authorized officials may convene a public body; attendance at social events does not constitute a meeting if city business is not discussed; a meeting that is to be closed must fall under one of the statutory exceptions; and members should not deliberate official business by email or text. He said it is acceptable to share news articles or informational items electronically so long as members do not engage in deliberation outside a noticed meeting.
The attorney also offered to provide certificates of training attendance for council members who serve on boards and need documentation. Council members acknowledged the refresher and had no additional questions.
