Chapter 3 Secretary to the Governing Body Flashcards
What is the abbreviation for Open Public Meetings Act ?
OPMA
What is the statue fir the Open Public Meetings Act?
NJSA Title 10 Chapter 4 Section 6
What is the purpose of OPMA AKA the sunshine law ?
To ensure the public confidence in government and hold officials accountable
What is another name for the open public meeting act?
The sunshine law
What is a public body ?
Means commission , authority, board , council or any other group of 2 or more organized under the law of the state that can preform a public government function
Examples of public bodies ?
Planning board Fire Commission Housing Authority Board of Health Recreation Committee
What is adequate notice?
Written advanced notice of at least 48 hours. Must be sent to two official newspapers, post on municipal website and post on bulletin board
What is a quarm ?
A majority of membership
What are 3 musts when a Governing Body has a quarm ?
- must be open to the public
- have an agenda
- must have a public comment section
What is an official newspaper?
Paid , published and circulated in the municipality
Is an electronic newspaper considered an official newspaper?
No
When is your official newspaper designated?
At your annual reorganization meeting by resolution
What is Annual Notice ?
Calendar of all Governing Body Meetings
When is your Annual Notice published?
Within 7 days of the annual reorganization meeting
What is another name for 48 Hours Notice ?
Special Meeting
What is a Special Meeting or 48 Hour Notice ?
Meetings other then those listed in Annual Notice
How do you advertise 48 Hour Notice ?
Transmit to your designed paper by email, post on municipal website and bulletin board.
NOT PUBLISHED
If you cancel a meeting do you have to publish a notice ?
No , just transmit by email
At a special meeting can you add items that were not transmitted in the notice ?
No , can only discuss what was on the notice
When you publish or transmit a notice for a meeting what must be on the notice?
Date , time location and if a special meeting the purpose
When can you hold an Emergency Meeting ?
Upon the affirmative vote of 3/4 of the members present
When is an Emergency Meeting needed ?
- Urgent matter - delay would be harmful to the public
- discussion and acting is only on the matter of urgency
- notice of the meeting is provided as soon as possible in the same means as adequate notice.
- also state if the matter could not have been foreseen in time for adequate notice or or if it could have been but was not
What must be read and recorded into the minutes at every meeting ?
Sunshine Statement
What must be done in order to hold a closed session meeting ?
Adopt a resolution at the meeting.
Read the statement of adequate notice of the Open Public Meeting was privided.
provided.
Can formal action be taken in Closed Session ?
No
What are 10 exceptions that allow for closed session ?
- Federal or State Mandate
- Impair right to receive funding
- Individual privacy
- Negotiations
- Real Estate
- Public Safety
- Attorney Client Privilege
- litigation
- Personnel
- Deliberations
Does a clerk have to be present at a closed session meeting ?
Yes
When is a Rice Notice needed ?
When the Governing Body needs to discuss an employees employment
What is another name is Rice Notice?
Personal Exception
What happens if you violate the Open Public Meetings Act ?
Any action taken by the public body is voidable
What are the two options for the employee who gets a Rice Notice ?
- to be discussed in Open Meeting
- discussed in closed session behind closed doors