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The inhomiation belfovv on rneetini aad hearings Is an excerpt irrom the Leagues Governing and Uanaging Information Wei o on 'Rileetings of City Councils. " she r_s:I%n.PCtIIOn on the open mi aeting law applies to a-Iif CRT councils, city bloards, commissions, and other public bodies. The League has nicb, ny Information Menios on topics for city cou n ici 'is, such as: Securing Payment of Utility Charges; Acqv rjing and maintaining City Streets;: Uquar Licensing and Regulation, and niai*e. ZD You can fi n d th ese rne, m os and m o re o n the Le agu ei's vve b site at mm. I in c. lo rg. Or to get a FREE ca I)y of any m eim o or to as k a quiestion about city government, call the League's Reslearch Service at (800) 925-1122 or iiifo@lnic.org, ® Us R M eed nip, s Geer ally, a meleting is a gathering of a querum of public officials to discuss. decide or receive infoniiation on i3iafters over ihich they have autholity. The members of the public usually do not speak at a rnec tin cy I- ID� 91thiough some city councils will occasionally recopize a, member oft e audience. 1. Types of meetflng,s There are basically two di- fferent types of meetings: 10 Reaular tneetini Regular mectin s of a statutory city council are held at ti-ines, established by 15 9 council rulies. A council will typically nieet once a mionth on a particular day, although some councils n'tay have regular mei gs s( cheduled more frequemtly. Home rule charter cities should consult their charters and any councl.1 rules concernina the scheduling of regular meetings. Special ineetings. Special meetings are meetings hieJd at threes or places that are different fi-orn the regularly scheduled meetings. These are often scheduled to deal with specific items that need to be addressed be-fore the next regular meeting. Generally, any matter can be transacted at a special meetinty that ican be addressed at a regular meet in a. 'There are diffi,,rent types of special meetings, such as emergency meetings and continued meetings, which are discussed in more detail in a later section oft is memo. I First melating of the year There is no date set by statute for the first meeting of the year. In most statutory cities, the date is set by an ordinancle establishing rules of procedure -for the council. A home rule charter city should consult both its charter and any ordinances that establish procedural rules for the council. The ten-n of office for new statutory city council mie nabs ers begins on the first Monday is January. The first mcetiqg is uis-oafly field on or shortly after this date. In the meantirne, all previously chosen and qualifiled council in,embers shall serve until their successiors qualify. The first day of a new term in a homie rule ebarter city is generally set by the charter. The following must be done at the first meeting of the year: a Appoint an acting mayor. I* Select an official newspaper. o Select an ofEcial depository for city funds. (This must be done within 30 days oft e start of the city's fiscal year.) In aiddition, although not required by statute, many city counicils will also do the following at the first meeting of the year: is Review iciouncil"s bylaws and make any needed changes. 10 Assign commiffee duties to members. a Approve official bonds that have been filed with the clerk. Home n:de charter cities may have additional requirQments, for their fh-st meeting of the year in their barter s. Hearings A public hearing is a meeting that is held where members of the public can express their opinions. The C01111 ell I's fli em to reTi late the hearing mid make sure that people who want to speak. on the issue get the A, Good Start to Good Govern-nice League of Minn sata Cities