Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Open Meetings topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TCOG delays vote on records/open‑meetings resolution after legal debate; item tabled to Jan. 22
Summary
A lengthy debate at the Tompkins County Council of Governments on Dec. 11 over whether the council and its subcommittees must follow New York’s Open Meetings Law ended with members tabling a records/meeting‑rules resolution to Jan. 22, 2026 to seek additional counsel and member input.
At the Dec. 11 special meeting of the Tompkins County Council of Governments, members debated a proposed records and open‑meetings resolution that would clarify how TCOG handles records, meeting notices and subcommittee procedures.
County counsel told the body his office’s opinion is that TCOG is a public meeting body subject to the New York Open Meetings Law and that it "meets all of the requirements" of a public body. The county attorney said the law’s recent amendments were intended to cover bodies that play a key role in decision making, even if they cannot make final binding decisions.
Several municipal attorneys and elected members pushed back or asked for more time. Rorton and others argued that TCOG’s subcommittees regularly discuss nonpublic personal information and that strict application of the Open Meetings Law would limit necessary subcommittee functions. Other members said that, even if TCOG is not legally bound, it should voluntarily aim for transparency.
Outcome and next steps
After extended discussion and requests for counsel to confer, Bob Lynch moved to table the resolution to the Jan. 22, 2026 meeting; Tim Murray seconded. The motion to table carried by voice vote. The council asked that municipal clerks and attorneys provide written opinions and that county administration and TCOG leadership meet before the next meeting to try to reach shared language.
What was said
- County attorney (summarizing a prior written opinion): "My opinion is that the Tompkins County Council of Governments is a public meeting body."
- Opposing views: Several municipal representatives said their local counsel does not agree and raised concerns that strict adherence (including in‑person quorum requirements) could make routine subcommittee work and personnel discussions difficult.
The council scheduled follow-up legal conversations and will revisit the resolution at its Jan. 22, 2026 meeting.
