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Deputy city attorney gives annual open-meetings refresher and answers conflict-of-interest questions
Summary
Amy Schreiber, deputy city attorney, led the commission through the state open meetings law, stressing notice and agenda requirements, limits on private communications that can create a quorum, and penalties for violations; she also explained when commissioners should recuse themselves for conflicts of interest.
Amy Schreiber, deputy city attorney for Kingman, told the commission during a annual refresher that the open meetings law requires the public’s business to be conducted in public and that agendas must list the date, time and location of meetings. “Generally, just that the public’s business must be conducted discussed at the meetings,” Schreiber said, adding that public bodies must give at least 24 hours’ notice and include enough detail on agendas to inform the public of matters to be discussed.
Schreiber cautioned members about informal communications that can amount to a meeting, including emails, texts or social-media posts that create a quorum. “You could be in danger of violating open meeting law just because you’re talking about something before it comes before the public,” she said. She called this “the game of telephone,” warning that repeated one-on-one messages can have the effect of a meeting among a majority of members.
On conflicts of interest, Schreiber said commissioners should step away from discussions and votes when a matter could produce a monetary benefit for them or close relatives. She noted remote or minor interests can be permissible but recommended that members call the city attorney’s office if they have doubts. “If you have this only these remote interests, you can discuss and you can vote,” she said, but added that when there is a potential financial benefit it is usually best to excuse oneself.
Schreiber explained sanctions and enforcement: complaints go to the attorney general’s office, which typically emphasizes education and remedies such as additional trainings, but courts may impose civil penalties in cases of knowing violations. She also reviewed basic parliamentary procedure for commission business — how to make motions, the need for seconds, debate rules and the effect of tie votes.
Commission members asked several clarifying questions during the presentation; Schreiber recommended staff follow up on grey-area situations and said her office would provide additional guidance if needed. The presentation was part of the meeting’s scheduled training items and concluded with staff offering to follow up on specific issues raised by members.
