So, assuming it happened, was this evening's closed door session regarding the recall litigation proper?
The applicable portion of the Sunshine Law, Florida Statute 286.011(8), says in pertinent part:
“…any board or commission of any…municipal corporation… and the chief administrative or executive officer of the governmental entity, may meet in private with the entity’s attorney to discuss pending litigation to which the entity is presently a party before a court…” (emphasis added).
Neither The City of Anna Maria, it's commission nor its mayor are "presently a party" to the recall lawsuit.
But, you say, City Clerk Alice Baird is a party to the lawsuit and she works for and represents the city so it must be okay, correct? Courts have historically interpreted Florida's sunshine laws very strictly. So, strictly speaking the answer is no, it is not okay. The question will be what are the consequences, if any?
We're sure to find out. Soon.
(**Update: 11:00 p.m. - No consequence if no "action" was taken in the closed meeting.)
Stay informed.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
PLEASE NOTE: Our Anna Maria Blog invites significant and thoughtful discussion. It is not, however, a democracy. Comments considered offensive or innappropriate may be removed at the discretion of any one of the blog administators without notice. If the removal of your comment may offend you, it is probably best that you not comment at all. After typing in your comment, click on the "Subscribe by email" link (below, right) to have email alerts sent to your computer whenever a new comment is proffered regarding this post.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.