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RELEVANT LINKS: � This type of committee may be subject to the open meeting law. Some � factors that may be relevant in deciding whether a committee is subject to the open meeting law include how the cornmittee was created and who are its members;whether the committee is performing an ongoing function,or instead, is performing a one-time function;whether the committee receives public funds or uses public facilities or staff;and what duties and powers have been g�anted to the committee. iraD os-o�4. For example,the connmissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration has advised that"standing"committees of a city hospital boazd that were responsible for management liaison,collection of information,and formulation of issues and recommendations for the boazd were committees subject to the open nneeting law.The advisory opinion noted that the standing committees were perfonming tasks that relate to the ongoing operation of the hospital district and were not performing a one- time or"ad hoc"function. irAD o�-ozs. ��ntrast,the commissioner has advised that a city's Free Speech Working Group was not a committee that was subject to the open meeting law.This group consisted ofinembers, including city officials,the city council had appointed to develop and review strategies for addressing free-speech concerns relating to a political convention that was going to be held in the city.The commissioner reasoned that the group was not a committee subject to the open meeting law because it did not have any decision-making authority. �, A.G.Op.63a-5(Aug.28, Ci councils also routinel a o�nt individua.l councilmembers to act as 1996). Ty y p� • liaisons between the council and particular groups.These types of groups may be considered a committee that is subject to the open meeting law. Soveretgn v.Duivt,498 'r(le Minnesota Court of A eals considered a situation where the ma or and N.W.2d 62(Minn.Ck App. pp 3' 1993).See also Mtnnesota one other member of a city council attended a series of inediation sessions Dai/y v.Univ,of Miru�esota, �g�ing an annexation dispute that were not o n to the ublic.Z'�le COUI't 432 N.W.2d 189(Micm.Ck � P �.i9ss��az�Y v. of appeals held that the open meeting law did not apply to these meetings Urrfv.of Mimresom,saa concluding"that a gathering of public officials is not a `committee, N.W.2d 32{Minn.Ct.App. 1�6). subcommittee,board,department or commission' subject to the open meeting law unless the group is capable of exercising decision-making powers of the governing body." Sovereign v.Dwm,a9s �e court of a eals also noted that the c aci to act on behalf of the N.W2d 62(Mirm.Ct App. pp � ty �s�3). governing body is presumed where members of the group comprise a quorum of the body and could also arise where there has been a delegation of power from the governing body to the group. r�"`°v.,�°��,so6 Iri addition,a separate notice for a special meeting of the city council may N.W 2d 14(Minn.Ck App. i�s3>. also be required if a quorum of the council will be present at a committee meeting and will participate in the discussion. � , League of Mtnnesote Ci�es IMormehon Memo: 11/9l2015 Meeti�s of City Councils Page 18