Open Meeting Rules Discussed In Garden City

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  April 9, 2014.  The Garden City Offices conducted a special meeting for training individuals who serve on the various boards within the City.  It is a state requirement that all individuals serving on public boards need annual training on open meetings.  The information presented was given to help citizens follow the statues concerning open meetings.

There were several people from the Garden City District Fire Board who attended the meeting.  There were also a number of people currently serving on the City’s Library Board that were there.   Several other interested individuals were also present. 

Kathy Hislop, the City Clerk, took charge of the meeting.  She informed those in attendance that all public boards should post all meeting agendas on the Utah Public Meeting Notice site.  Also, all information that goes along with the agenda that will be discussed should also be posted.  Interested individuals can subscribe to the site—they must do it for each board where information is desired.   If you want the agenda for the Library, you can subscribe to the Garden City Library Board.  If you also want information about the Garden City Fire District, you can subscribe to that organization.  The desired information will then be sent to you after it is posted.

When decisions are being made in a meeting, all individuals on the board should vote.  There should be a roll call on each decision made.  If someone does not vote, that is a “no” vote.  The roll call votes should be included in the minutes of the meeting.

Electronic meetings are allowed.  If a board member wants to participate in the meeting but is unable to attend in person, he/she can call in and participate in the meeting.  The City has an ordinance that allows this type of participation.  The City also has the telephone number to be called and the equipment to be able to easily handle this type of participation.

There are several reasons for an executive session.  Some mentioned were:  personnel issues, legal issues, property acquisitions, personal issues, and security issues.  Generally, a closed session is included on the regular meeting agenda.  A motion must be made giving the reason for the closed session, and a majority of the board must agree to go into a closed session.  At the end of the closed session, the resulting decision is generally brought out into the regular meeting where a motion and vote is taken. 

Kathy Hislop noted that there is a computer site where an expert, David Church, gives an especially good presentation on open meetings.  She said she would give the internet address to anyone interested in viewing that site.  She summed up the meeting by stating that whatever is best for the public is what should be done in an open meeting. Openness and clarity are important for people to be able to trust and support their leaders.