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Council Member along with his or her own comments, and interpretationq <br />Even if the last Council Member to receive the e-mail doe n't reply to either the originator or the <br />,Council Member who forwarded the message, the three members have still discussed city business <br />outsilde a public forum. A violation could be found where serial e-mailing is used to reach a <br />decision. <br />4 <br />Many cities are moving toward electronic meeting packets, for councils and committees, often sent <br />Via e-mail, attachments. This sort of one-way distribution of information is fine in terms of the <br />Minnesota, Open Meeting Law, remembering that any materials relating to the agenda items of a <br />In. I I <br />meeting distributed to members must also be made available to the public as weii. <br />City officials should start to get concerned, though, when one or more Council Members use the <br />tireply to all" feature 'in e-,mail to respond to the content of the meeting materials, or otherwise <br />begin a discussion, by e-mail about the packet. This can begin to look a, lot like non-pubilc <br />discussion of city business. <br />If Council Members are engaged in direct e-mail discussions, it's probably best to limit it to only <br />two members. A "no forwarding and. no copying"" rule might be a good way to make sure the <br />0 <br />Minnesota Open Meeting Law isn't un 'Intentionally vl*olated through ei-mail conversation. <br />Finally,, be careful wihien Council Members participate in a listsery or any chatroom sort of forum. <br />Because these distribufilon lists may include a quorum of your council, one Council Member's <br />comments on, the li.stsery will, be viewed by other membe�r's. If the topic has to do with city <br />business and another Council Member replies to the listserv, it could prove problematic under the <br />Minnesota Open Meeting Law. <br />Again, the city might consider a "no reply" sort of rule when it comes to these resources, or <br />Perhaps have Council Members send ideas for postings, or responses to the city clerk or <br />adminisitrator to manage., Remember, too, that official city committees are sub ect to the sarn <br />Open meeting requirements and should be similarly educated about correct e-mail use. <br />4 <br />