City Council Standards and Bylaws

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New Brighton City Council Bylaws I. AUTHORITY. City councils are authorized to adopt rules of procedure and provide for order at their meetings pursuant to Minn.Stat. §412.191. II. PURPOSE. The purpose of this policy on city council meetings is to set the groundwork for orderly and respectful communications between and among councilmembers, city staff,and citizens to promote the efficient working of the public's business at city council meetings. III. THE OPEN MEETING LAW.The Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13D, generally requires that all meetings of public bodies be open to the public. A. This presumption of openness serves three basic purposes: 1. To prohibit actions from being taken at a secret meeting, where it is impossible for the interested public to become fully informed concerning decisions of public bodies,or to detect improper influences. 2. To ensure the public's right to be informed. 3. To afford the public an opportunity to present its views to the public body. B. The city council views providing and encouraging citizen access to city meetings as one of its most important duties. As a result, all council meetings,with the exception of closed meetings as provided by Minn.Stat. Chapter 13D,shall be open to the public. C. In calculating the number of days for providing notice under the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, the first day that the notice is given is not counted, but the last day is counted. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday,or legal holiday,that day is omitted from the calculation and the following day is considered the last day(unless, it happens to be a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday). D. In keeping with the intent of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, city councilmembers shall not use any form of electronic communications technology, such as text messaging or e-mail,to communicate with one another or third parties during a public meeting in a manner that is hidden or shielded from the public view. E. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.01, subd. 6, at least one copy of the written materials made available to council at or before the meeting shall also be made available for inspection by the public, excluding any non-public data, attorney-client privileged or materials related to agenda items of closed meetings. IV. QUORUM. A simple majority(three members)of the council shall constitute a quorum for the valid transaction of any scheduled business to come before the council. V. COUNCIL MEETINGS. A. Location.All meetings, including special, recessed, and continued meetings, shall be held in the City Council chambers, unless otherwise designated, pursuant to Minn.Stat. § 13D.04, subd. 2. Page 4