06-19-02 Orientation - Laserfiche WebLink

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2.7 Penalties. A fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 or imprisonment in the County jail for not less than one month nor more than six months, or both fine and imprisonment, can be imposed for violating the provisions of the Open Meetings Act or conspiring to circumvent the provisions of the Open Meetings Act by meeting number less than a quorum for the purposes of secret deliberations. Section 3. Open Records Act Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, is commonly referred to as the TEXAS OPEN RECORDS ACT. 3.1 The Open Records Act applies to virtually all local and state governmental bodies, "private" entities that are supported by or that expend public funds, and/or. information held by "private" entities in the constructive possession of governmental bodies. 3.2 All information held by a governmental body must be released unless the information falls within one of the acts specific exceptions to disclosure. 3.3 Virtually all information in the physical possession of a governmental body is subject to the Act. 3.4 Penalties. A fine of not less than $25 nor more than $4,000 or confinement in County Jail for not less than three days or more than three months, or both fine and confinement, can be imposed for violating the provisions of the Open Records Act. 3.5 A request for information that is received by a Board or Commission under the Open Records Act, should immediately file the written request to both the City Attorney and City Manager. The act requires that a Governmental body must request a decision from the Attorney General, within ten (10) calendar days after the date of receipt of request, prior to withholding information. Section 4: Meeting Attendance A member of a Board or Commission that has a regular monthly or semi-monthly meeting shall be expected to maintain a suitable attendance record. It is important to keep in mind that your attendance is very important to the Board or Commission you are serving on and that the City Council appointed you for your expertise. Certain Boards and Commissions may have attendance policies established by ordinance or Statute. However, because your attendance is important, the City Council has also adopted the following attendance policy: If a board member is absent from more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the duly called meetings in any period of twelve consecutive months, whichever is greater, for any reason other than a medical reason which prevents the member's attendance, will be subject to removal by City Council. The term "duly called meetings" includes all meetings of the board and all meetings of subcommittees of the board on which the board member serves. The Secretary of the Board or Commission is responsible for keeping track of the members' attendance. The Secretary shall provide the La Porte City Council, through the City Secretary's Office, with a quarterly attendance report.