(a) Any person may bring an action to enforce this chapter. An action under this section shall be brought within two years after the date of the alleged violation or threatened violation. Upon proof of a violation or threatened violation of this chapter in an action brought by any person, the Court of Common Pleas shall issue an injunction to compel the members of the public body to comply with its provisions.
(b) If the Court of Common Pleas issues an injunction pursuant to subsection (a) hereof, the Court shall order the public body that it enjoins to pay a civil forfeiture of five hundred dollars ($500) to the party that sought the injunction and shall award to that party all court costs and, subject to reduction as described in this subsection, reasonable attorney's fees. The court, in its discretion, may reduce an award of attorney's fees to the party that sought the injunction or not award attorney's fees to that party if the court determines both of the following:
(1) That, based on the ordinary application of statutory law and case law as it existed at the time of violation or threatened violation that was the basis of the injunction, a well-informed public body reasonably would believe that the public body was not violating or threatening to violate this section; and
(2) That a well-informed public body reasonably would believe that the conduct or threatened conduct that was the basis of the injunction would serve the public policy that underlies the authority that is asserted as permitting that conduct or threatened conduct.
If the Court of Common Pleas does not issue an injunction pursuant to subsection (a) hereof and the Court determines at that time that the bringing of the action was frivolous conduct, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2323.51(A), the Court shall award to the public body all court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, as determined by the Court. (3) Irreparable harm and prejudice to the party that sought the injunction shall be conclusively and irrebuttably presumed upon proof of a violation or threatened violation of this chapter.
(4) A member of a public body who knowingly violates an injunction issued pursuant to subsection (a) hereof may be removed from office by an action brought in the Court of Common Pleas for that purpose by the prosecuting attorney or the attorney general.
(ORC 121.22).