Does the Sunshine Law apply to luncheon meetings of members of a public governmental body where public business is discussed?
Yes. A public meeting is any meeting of a public governmental body where public business is discussed, decided or public policy is formulated (Section 610.010(5)). Public business is defined in Section 610.010(3) as all matters that relate in any way to the performance of the public governmental body’s functions or the conduct of its business. In The Kansas City Star v. Shields, 771 S.W.2d 101 (Mo. App. W.D. 1989), the chairman and two members of the Kansas City City Council Finance Committee, city manager and city budget director held a luncheon meeting without notice in a private dining room of a Kansas City restaurant. The following day, the committee unanimously adopted a budget agreement. This meeting, where public business was discussed, constituted a public meeting and notice should have been posted. (See Attorney General’s Opinion No. 10-75.) Informal gatherings of members of a public governmental body for social or ministerial purposes where there is no intent to avoid the Sun
Related Questions
- How can a public governmental body, its members and employees demonstrate they have acted in compliance with the Sunshine Law?
- Who can bring an action charging a public governmental body or its members with a violation of the Sunshine Law?
- What other remedies exist when a public governmental body or its members violate the Sunshine Law?
