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City attorney reviews Open Meetings and Public Information obligations
Summary
The city attorney reviewed the Texas Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, warned council members against walking quorums, and reminded new members to complete required open‑meetings training within 90 days.
The city attorney reviewed core open‑government obligations, saying the Texas Open Meetings Act requires meetings be public and that agendas must be posted and adhered to, and warned against creating a so‑called 'walking quorum' through serial private communications. “Please make sure that you complete your, required open meetings training within 90 days of taking office,” he told newly seated members.
He also explained the Texas Public Information Act (formerly the Open Records Act) and described public information requests (PIRs): the city secretary's office gathers responsive records, redacts where law requires, and seeks Attorney General opinions when claiming exceptions for pending criminal matters or similar grounds. The attorney cautioned that both statutes provide for criminal sanctions if officials improperly hide or destroy records; the meeting included no formal action on records or disclosure policy.
