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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: March 18, 2013 Item No.: 10.b Department Approval City Manager Approval Item Description: Receive Training in Open Meetings Law, Data Practices and Electronic Communications Page 1 of 2 B ACKGROUND 1 All governmental entities must comply with a complex set of laws governing open meetings and 2 data practices. The open meetings law protects the public’s rights to be informed and to present 3 views. It also ensures that there are no secret meetings and no improper influence. The open 4 meetings law provides protection so that city officials can conduct certain business in closed 5 meeting sessions. Communications between and among councilmembers and other appointed 6 officials are subject to the open meetings laws. 7 The data practices act balances the public’s right to information, an individual’s right to privacy 8 and the government’s need to function responsibly. 9 All data that the city has on individuals is classified as public, private or confidential. Data can 10 also be classified as nonpublic or protected nonpublic. 11 The City takes the open meetings and data practices laws seriously. There are many complexities 12 to the laws and, at times, the open meeting laws may seem to contradict the data practices laws. 13 It is important that elected and appointed offici als and city staff, as well as members of the 14 public, have a good understanding of the laws. 15 P OLICY O BJECTIVE 16 The City Attorney provides periodical training to councilmembers, commissioners and city staff 17 to ensure full awareness and compliance with municipal, state and federal laws and rules. 18 F INANCIAL I MPACTS 19 None 20 S TAFF R ECOMMENDATION 21 Receive training by City Attorney. 22 R EQUESTED C OUNCIL A CTION 23 Receive training by City Attorney. 24 25 Prepared by: William J. Malinen, City Manager Attachments: A: Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13D, Open Meeting Law