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Meadow council reviews Open Public Meetings Act: quorum, notice, closed sessions and recordings
Summary
Council received annual Open Public Meetings Act training from Speaker 1, who reviewed quorum (three members), 24-hour notice rules, 30-day draft-minute posting, closed-session limits, separate recording requirements for closed meetings, and rules for electronic meetings and disruptive attendees.
Speaker 1 led the council through an annual Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) training intended to refresh members on notice, quorum, minutes, closed-session limits and related procedures. "So as mayor, it's my responsibility to make sure this happens," Speaker 1 said as he introduced the materials.
Key points covered included the town’s quorum (three members), the requirement to post meeting agendas, date, time and place at least 24 hours in advance, and that pending (draft) minutes are public records and should be posted within 30 days. Speaker 1 noted the council has "three business days after the end of this meeting to post" approved minutes to the Utah Public Notice website.
Speaker 1 explained emergency meetings (for wildfire, flood or serious incidents) may be called with shortened notice but that an attempt must be made to notify all members and a majority must vote to hold the emergency meeting. He emphasized that topics not on a posted agenda may be discussed but not decided upon at that meeting.
On closed (executive) sessions, Speaker 1 said a closed meeting cannot be used to approve ordinances, resolutions, contracts or appointments and that going into a closed session requires a formal vote by name on the record and a stated reason. Closed meetings must be recorded in a complete, unedited recording from start to finish; Monica was cited as the staff member who records meetings and who would start a separate recording for closed sessions.
Speaker 1 also discussed electronic meeting options, saying the town could adopt a virtual option if done correctly: any digital option must be open to the public (not password-protected), anchor locations must be identified (including the normal meeting location), and public notice must state how people can tune in. He closed by explaining removal procedures for disruptive attendees and the potential for legal challenges or voided decisions if OPMA posting and notice rules are not followed; enforcement rests with the state attorney general or county attorneys.
Speaker 2 raised follow-up questions near the end of the training; the council indicated they would complete the training as planned and report completion.
