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Public Meetings

In order to have a public meeting you must have a “quorum” or a majority of public officials present. ◦ Depending on the organization this can be

anywhere from 3 to 4 officials/officers present. Purpose of the Open Meetings Act is to

make the government more accessible and accountable to the public.

The Open Meetings Act

A meeting must be announced at least 72 hours before the official meeting.

The agenda to be discussed must be approved at least 72 hours before the meeting.

No new item agendas can be placed on the agenda once it’s approved. ◦ Revisions to the agenda must be made in

advance. (at least a couple of weeks to a month)

Texas Public Meetings Act

Notice of the meeting must be posted. Notices may be posted at the meeting place

or online – certain entities are required to post their agenda and meeting online:

Texas Public Meetings Act

The following bodies must post their agendas and meetings online: ◦ 1. A city with a population of 48,000 or more;◦ 2. A county with a population of 65,000 or more; ◦ 3. A school district or a junior college district that

contains all or part of the area within a city with a population of 48,000 or more;

◦ 4. An economic development corporation that was created by or for: a. A city with a population of 48,000 or more, or b. A county or district that contains all or part of the area within a city with a population of 48,000 or more; or

◦ 5. A regional mobility authority.

Continued…

Items on a public meetings agenda can be very detailed or very brief.◦ However, the more vague and general they are

the more suspect they become to being in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

◦ You need to be transparent. ◦ Make it easy to understand so that the general

public knows what is to be discussed and voted on.

Agendas

It is required that every public meeting host a session for public comment.◦ Usually done prior to the meeting.◦ Officials can not answer questions or comment to

the individual that is making the commentary.◦ However, officials may consider posting an item of

interest (brought up by public comment) to discuss in a future meeting.

◦ Voting does not take place during public comment.

Public Comment

These are items that the council must take action or make a motion on.

Items are generally up for discussion if a council member or a board member wants to ask questions.

Usually after an item is discussed the council/board MUST make a motion to either vote in favor of the item as it – or vote to make certain changes and then bring it up for approval with the changes next time around.

Agenda items

Done at the end of the agenda’s discussion. Usually lawsuits and other legal things are

discussed in these closed sessions. The discussion is held behind closed doors

and the public is not allowed to hear in on what is being said.

Executive Sessions

1. Firing or hiring of a person or matters relating to complaints

2. Lawsuits or attorney consultations (attorney/client privilege).

3. Discussions about buying or selling property/land.

4. Security.

What can be discussed in Exec. Session?

5. Audits. 6. Licensing of individuals. 7. Economic matters that are not officially

set in stone. 8. Utility discussions. 9. Information relating to emergencies or

disasters

Reasons to go into Exec. Session

Members do not have to take action or vote on some matters if they choose not to.

Members and discuss matters that are important to the general public (hiring/firing of personnel or purchase of property, etc.).

Leaving Exec. Session

Ay Nay Abstain

How they Vote

www.tisd.us www.elpasotexas.gov www.episd.org

Some samples of Public Meetings

Major decisions that can affect your taxes, your property values and your children, safety, etc are made by 3 to 9 people.

You need to know where your money is being spent and what decisions are being made and what is NOT being discussed in front of you and why.

Holds officials accountable.

So why are the important

www.elpasotexas.gov City council meetings *for El Paso* usually

take place in the mornings. Emergency City council meetings: Usually

done when a pressing item needs to be discussed.

City Council

www.yisd.net (live streams videos) www.clintweb.net www.sisd.net www.episd.org (has videos online) www.tisd.us (has videos online)

School Boards

Neighborhood Representatives meetings PTAs Texas Department of Transportation. MPO (super important) Small town meetings. Local Police Department Safety meetings for

residents.

Smaller meetings but still important

Awesome stories. ◦ Chances are these are small knit communities

that feel safe discussing anything and everything.◦ Residents and members will give their opinion

freely. ◦ They are not barred by the restrictions of being

“politically correct.”

Small meetings can lead to…

The Montwood Roundabout - Stemmed from a generally approved item (not discussed but simply voted on) by the City Council.◦ A small neighborhood report generated a small

meeting by the East Side Civic Association. ◦ This generated a knocking of doors among other

people◦ Lead to more than 500 people shouting at three

city council members in the Eastwood Auditorium.◦ End Result: No Roundabout.

Where big stories start…

Socorro City Council approves driveways for area residents.◦ Sounds good but... Turns out council members get

the new driveways first.◦ Leads to Sheriff’s Investigation.◦ Leads to arrest.◦ Leads to current situation of Socorro and

unraveling of documents that reveal how much the city has spent on officials rather than citizens.

◦ Example - $150 on a coffee machine and several hundred on Starbucks coffee and thousand of $$ of reimbursements for “trips” and training.

Other Examples:

Caught a glimpse that last item on agenda was discussion of resignation of “superintendent.”

Lead to breaking story in print next morning.

EPISD executive Item

Began with Cielo Vista Neighborhood Association meeting.

Followed by bar owners trying to negotiate and talk with neighbors.

Lead to angry neighbors. Lead to city council Lead to city’s proposal to

purchase development. Lead to Lawsuits Lead to answering questions like: What rights do

neighbors have? Do business owners have? Developers? And how much is the city paying in these suits?

Bar Controversy

Continue working on your stories. (DUE THIS SUNDAY!)

For Tuesday: Bring in Mid Term Ideas. Have ready for discussion.

Also for Tuesday check out a city council or a school board meeting online. ◦ Take notes on what they discuss. See which items

peak your interest. And take notes on what they don’t discuss and simply vote on.

◦ Bring notes to class on Tuesday – We will discuss.

Homework