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Board cites Minnesota statutes and advisory opinions to justify closing meeting for labor talks
Summary
The board relied on Minn. Stat. §13D.03 subd. 1 and cited sections 179A.01–179A.25 when it closed its April 8, 2026 special meeting to discuss labor-negotiation strategy; advisory opinions on remote participation were also noted.
Chisago County officials recorded statutory authority when they closed their April 8 special meeting to discuss labor negotiations. The minutes quote the rationale: "The governing body of a public employer may by a majority vote in a public meeting decide to hold a closed meeting to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies, developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25."
The minutes also reference Minn. Stat. §13D.03 subd. 1 and note that Commissioner Jim Swenson would attend remotely "pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.02 and MN Department of Administration Advisory Opinions 08-034 and 13009." The record shows the board voted unanimously to close the meeting and later reconvened in open session, documenting both the legal basis and the procedural steps taken.
