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Austin Legal Talk: Open Meetings Act

Friday, January 28, 2011 Austin City Council Special Called Meeting
  • A special meeting was called specifically to address one urgent issue.
  • The entire meeting took place behind closed doors in a private "Executive Session."
  • The sole topic of discussion was legal issues surrounding the Open Meetings Act, a critical law ensuring government transparency.

Full Transcript

\ I i \ : •fi8A<K*#f<w m LU S^i oc r SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Friday, January 28, 2011 The Austin City Council will convene at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX Mayor Lee Lefftngwell Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez Council Member Chris Rilcy, Place 1 Council Member Randi Shade, Place 3 Council Member Laura Morrison, Place 4 Council Member William Spelman, Place 5 Council Member Sheryl Cole, Place 6 For meeting information, contact the City Clerk, 974-2210 The City Council will go into a dosed session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel, to discuss matters of land acquisition, to discuss personnel matters, to discuss or take action on a "competitive matter" of Austin Energy as provided for under Section 551.086, or for other reasons permitted by law as specifically listed on this agenda. If necessary,, the City Council may go into a closed session as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. Reading and Action on Consent Agenda Action on the Following: Ordinances / Resolutions / Motions - All of the following items may be acted upon by one motion. No separate discussion or action on any of the items is necessary unless desired by a Council Member. 3:30 PM — City Council Convenes Executive Session 1. Discuss legal issues relating to the Open Meetings Act (private consultation with legal counsel pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Government Code). Adjourn '•The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications end equal access to communications will be provided upon request. C For assistance please call 974-2210 OR 974-2445 TDD. A person may request a Spanish language interpreter be made available by contacting the Office of the City Clerk not later than twenty-four hours before the scheduled time of the item on which the person wishes to speak. Please call 974-2210 in advance or inform the City Clerk's staff present at the council meeting. Cualquier persona puede solicitar servicios de interprets en espanol comunicandose con la oficina del Secretario/a Municipal a no mas tardar de veinte y cuatro horas antes de la hora determinada para el asunto sobre el cual la persona desea comentar. Por favor llame al 974-2210 con anticipo o informe al personal del Secretario/a Municipal presente en la sesion del Consejo. To: From: Shirley Gentry, City Clerk Mayor Lee Leffingwell Date: January 25, 2011 Subject: Special Called Meeting Per Article II, Section 10 of the City Charter, this will serve as my written request for a Special Called Meeting of the Austin City Council to be held on Friday, January 28, 2011. at 3:30 P.M. at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, to discuss the following item: Executive Session 1. Discuss legal issues relating to the Open Meetings Act (private consultation with legal counsel pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Government Code). LiJ _J O CO E: Q_ Ss ~ g* i =3