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<br />Regardless of precautions, there may be times when councilmembers find themselves accused of <br />violating the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, perhaps having unintentionally engaged in one of <br />these sorts of conversations. one way to diffuse some concern is to immediately release copies <br />of all e-mail correspondence to anyone who wants to see it. While this doesn't nega.te the <br />possible violation, it shows good faith and lack of specific intent to violate the law. <br /> <br />Draft guidelines for electronic communications between councilmembers <br />Cities might decide to develop policies clarifying appropriate or preferred email use by and <br />between councilmembers. Even if a city doesn't formally adopt a policy, the guidelines here <br />might be helpful for any elected official or city board member to follow. <br /> <br />The purpose of these draft guidelines is to suggest how members of city councils and other city <br />committees might communicate via email and electronic means. A city should review these draft <br />guidelines along with its normal operating procedures, consult with the city attorney and <br />determine the best course of action. <br /> <br />Guidelines for <br />Electronic Communications between Councilmembers <br />in the City of <br /> <br />These guidelines apply to all members of the city council and all members of council and city <br />committees, commissions, sub-committees, etc. in the City of <br /> <br />For purposes of these guidelines, reference to councilmembers includes members of all other city <br />committees and groups subject to the Open Meeting Law. Reference to the council shall include <br />all such groups and meetings. <br /> <br />For purposes of these guidelines, "electronic means" means email, instant messaging, chatrooms, <br />and related electronic conversation. <br /> <br />For purposes of these guidelines, "city clerk" means the city clerk, manager, administrator or <br />his/her designee. <br /> <br />These guidelines apply regardless of whether the councilmember is using a city-provided email <br />address and account, his/her personal email address or account, or one provided by his/her <br />employer. <br /> <br />Tbl. materlallaprovlded as generallnformetlon and la nota 8ubatltllte for legal advIce. <br />Consult yourattorlleyror advioe ooncernlngspeClflC sltuatfons. <br /> <br />-3- <br />