Nate Covington Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:39 PM Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:39 PM I'm looking for feedback on this. I think I found an issue with my local township where they recessed a meeting (not adjourn) without saying when the meeting would be reconvened. Then they had a "Workshop Meeting" the following week where they reconvened the meeting - then took official business action. It seems like this is a violation of the Sunshine Act as well - any help or guidance would be appreciated. I'm in Pennsylvania if it matters. Attached are some screenshots to illustrate what I'm describing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Covington Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:41 PM Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:41 PM Here is a screenshot of the secretary's response:https://drive.google.com/file/d/11PHCL9MTIfjxq2_P2lcyUbZvk60OK6YI/view?usp=sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weldon Merritt Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:56 PM Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:56 PM (edited) Any issues relating to "Sunshine Act" violations are beyond the scope of RONR and this forum. Edited March 23, 2022 at 03:57 PM by Weldon Merritt Edited to correct a typo/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Covington Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:57 PM Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 03:57 PM Ok. Where do I go from here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atul Kapur Posted March 23, 2022 at 04:49 PM Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 04:49 PM To a lawyer with knowledge, and preferably experience, of Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act. Or to whichever department of Pennsylvania's government oversees the act and township governance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted March 23, 2022 at 07:21 PM Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 at 07:21 PM Sunshine Act aside, I think it's fair to say that the meeting adjourned sometime around when people left. A session might continue, but a meeting will not continue for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Covington Posted April 27, 2022 at 08:57 PM Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 at 08:57 PM (edited) Circling back to this, I found something else in the meeting minutes that changes the picture a little: Earlier in the actual meeting, the one that was recessed, this happened: (Chair) made a motion to table the decision of the bid until the workshop/meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, so (solicitor) could review the bids. The motionded was seconded and carried. All supervisors voted aye. See attachment for actual context: [Content deleted by moderator] Curious re: opinions on how this sits given the new information. Edited April 27, 2022 at 10:14 PM by Shmuel Gerber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmuel Gerber Posted April 27, 2022 at 10:18 PM Report Share Posted April 27, 2022 at 10:18 PM On 4/27/2022 at 4:57 PM, Nate Covington said: Circling back to this, I found something else in the meeting minutes that changes the picture a little: Earlier in the actual meeting, the one that was recessed, this happened: (Chair) made a motion to table the decision of the bid until the workshop/meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, so (solicitor) could review the bids. The motionded was seconded and carried. All supervisors voted aye. See attachment for actual context: [Content deleted by moderator] Curious re: opinions on how this sits given the new information. Sorry, we no longer allow posting to external sources or uploading of documents to the forum. Please see https://robertsrules.forumflash.com/topic/38364-welcome-to-the-official-ronr-q-a-forums/ regarding the purpose and scope of the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted April 29, 2022 at 10:55 AM Report Share Posted April 29, 2022 at 10:55 AM (edited) On 4/27/2022 at 3:57 PM, Nate Covington said: Circling back to this, I found something else in the meeting minutes that changes the picture a little: Earlier in the actual meeting, the one that was recessed, this happened: (Chair) made a motion to table the decision of the bid until the workshop/meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, so (solicitor) could review the bids. The motionded was seconded and carried. All supervisors voted aye. See attachment for actual context: [Content deleted by moderator] Curious re: opinions on how this sits given the new information. I don't think it changes anything, and I'm not entirely clear on what about this you think "changes the picture a little." It appears that the assembly needs some education about the difference between the meanings of the terms "recessed" vs. "adjourned" and "tabled" vs. "postponed" (which is not unusual), but there does not appear to be any violation of the rules of RONR. Questions about whether the actions in question were violations of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act remain beyond the scope of RONR and this forum and should be directed to an attorney. In regard to the "tabled" vs. "postponed" issue, see FAQ #12. In regard to "recessed" vs. "adjourned," see RONR (12th ed.) 8:2, 8:6-7. Edited April 29, 2022 at 10:59 AM by Josh Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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