Committee on Open Government (COOG)
Q: Can a board gather in a parking lot, even informally or spontaneously to conduct library business?
A: No, there is no such thing as an informal meeting
Q: What is executive session – when can it be called and what does a board do after the session ends?
A: From the COOG website: “…. It is noted that an executive session is not separate from an open meeting but rather is a portion of an open meeting during which the public may be excluded. … First, a motion must be made during an open meeting to enter into executive session; second, the motion must identify the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered; and third, the motion must be carried by a majority vote of the total membership of a public body. See advisory opinions under “E” for “Executive Session” in the OML Advisory Opinion Index.”
This means that first the meeting must be called to order; you can not begin your meeting in Executive Session and then start the public meeting. Personnel is not an excuse to go into executive session.
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