(A) All meetings declared open. All meetings, unless otherwise provided, shall be open to the public at all times. The village desires to establish methods for notifying the public of its meetings.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) EMERGENCY MEETING. A meeting called to take action on matters which require immediate action. For purposes of this definition only, “immediate“ means within 24 hours.
(2) MEETING. Any prearranged discussion of public business by a majority of the Council people.
(3) POST. To post by written notice at all of the following public locations:
(a) Circle on Riverglen Drive;
(b) Ravine Park on West Riverglen Drive;
(c) Northeast Corner Beverly Place and Dover Court;
(d) Lot 75 on West Riverglen Drive;
(e) Lot 7 on West Southington.
(4) REGULAR MEETING. The monthly meeting as established by this section.
(5) SPECIAL MEETING. A meeting called by the Mayor which is not a regular or emergency meeting.
(C) Regular meetings. The regular meeting of the village shall be held on the third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m.; provided however that when the third Monday of the month coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; President's Day; Columbus Day; or Veteran's Day, the regular meeting of the village shall be held on the following Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Such meetings shall be held at the Mayor's residence or such other place as properly determined and noticed. There will be no regular Council meeting during the months of July and August.
(D) Special meetings. Special meetings may not be held unless the media that have requested notification have been given 24 hours advance notice.
(E) Emergency meetings. In the event an emergency meeting is called the media that have requested notification shall be immediately notified.
(F) Actions; minutes.
(1) All final actions of the Council must be taken at public meetings.
(2) The minutes of all meetings shall be promptly recorded and open to public inspection. The minutes of executive sessions need only state the subject matter considered. Such materials shall be in the custody of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
(G) Executive session. Upon a majority vote, the Council may go into an executive session at a regular or special meeting for the purpose of considering any matter set forth in R.C. § 121.22(G), including but not limited to the following:
(1) Purchase of property;
(2) Matters in preparation for litigation;
(3) Confidential matters under state and federal law;
(4) Matters concerning the security of the village.
(H) Notice.
(1) Notice of the dates and times of regular meetings shall be posted no later than January 15 of each calendar year. If the place of the meeting is changed, the new address shall be posted at the locations specified in division (B)(3) above of this section or at the residence of the Mayor.
(2) Notice of special meetings shall be posted not later than 24 hours prior to the meeting. Such notice shall contain the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
(3) Any news media requesting advance notice of special or emergency meeting shall file with the Clerk-Treasurer a written request thereof. Such request shall state:
(a) The name and the medium;
(b) The address where written notification may be mailed or delivered;
(c) The names, addresses and telephone number of at least 2 individuals to whom oral notification may be given.
(4) Any person may obtain notice of all regular or special meetings if he or she provides the village with stamped, self-addressed envelopes for this purpose. Any person may contact the Village Clerk-Treasurer to determine the date, time and place of any meeting.
(5) (a) Any person upon written request may obtain notice when certain public business is scheduled to be discussed. The request shall state:
1. The person's name;
2. Address and telephone number where he or she may be reached;
3. The specific type of business for which advance notice is requested;
(b) Written request shall be effective for one year's time. Each request should be accompanied by a fee of $5 until the supply is consumed.
(Ord. 409, passed 3-21-1977; Am. Ord. 619, passed 3-10-1988; Am. Ord. 623, passed 9-19-1988)
Statutory reference:
Open meetings, see R.C. § 121.22