HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 1974-619W W
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a reular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Plymouth, Minnesota, was a on the 16th day of
December , 19 74 . The following members were present: Mayor Hilde,
-To—u—ncTimen Hunt, Neils, Seibold and Spaeth
The following mem ers were absent:- none
stir ttt ttt
Mayor Hilde introduced the following Resolution and moved
is adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 74-619
URGING THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR ANDERSON TO CONSIDER
AMENDMENTS TO THE OPEN MEETING LAW
WHEREAS, Attorney General Warren Spannaus has rendered an opinion with respect
to the "Open Meeting Law", dealing directly with the ability of elected representa-
tives to appropriately carry out their responsibilities, and
WHEREAS, the law as presently written is extreme in a few areas and does not afford
local elected officials an appropriate degree of flexibility in the conduct of
their official duties, which flexibility is essential in order that the public
may be served, and
WHEREAS, the intent of the Open Meeting Law is to promote confidence in responsive
government and not to rest:•ict its responsiveness or effectiveness,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH
that this Council urge the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Anderson to consider
amendments to the Open Meeting Law which would provide for essentially the follow-
ing exceptions to the present provisions concerning open meetings:
1. Sessions developing a strategy concerning negotiations between elected repre-
sentatives and public or private parties regarding such matters as the purckese
of land or easements or other contracts when public disclosure might otherwise
create additional expense to the citizens.
2. Discussions of personnel matters concerning citizen appointments, employees and
employees and the development of collective bargaining strategy.
3. Informal get-togethers among and between Council members, members of the staff
and members of boards and commissions in order to promote good communications
and favorable working relationships between the parties as opposed to dis-
cussing specific issues currently being heard before the Council and/or board.
4. The work of special committees of the Council which may be appointed from
time to time to carry out certain tasks of the Council, e.g, reviewing special
assessment rolls for accuracy prior to the public hearings, attending public
Resolution No. 74-619
Page Two • .
agency meetings at which City business is discussed, preliminary interviews
with potential auditors, consultants and others wishing to do business with
the City.
5. Matters discussed by and between the members of the Council and their attorney
when such matters relate to privileged communications between the attorney
and his client.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Anderson,
appropriate members of the State Senate and State House, the League of Minnesota
Municipalities, the Association of Minnesota Municipalities and the press.
The motion for adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly seconded by
Councilman Spaeth, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in
favor thereof: Mayor Hilde, Councilmen Hunt, Neils, Seibold and Spaeth. The
following voted against or abstained: none. Whereupon the Resolution was
declared duly passed and adopted.