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 Anchorage
 Code of Ordinances
 Title 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
 Chapter 1.25. PUBLIC MEETINGS

§ 1.25.005. Definitions.  

Latest version.

  • The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

    Announcement means a verbal recording or written posting of the date, time, place and subject of a meeting that states the names of the public officials calling or organizing the meeting, and which is distributed either by:

    1.

    Display of written information in a public place maintained by the municipal clerk as the municipality's public notice location and which is accessible to the public 24 hours per day, or, in the case of the school board, such a place maintained by the school district; or

    2.

    Automatic replay of a recording maintained by the municipal clerk and accessible to the public 24 hours per day, or, in the case of the school board, such a recording maintained by the school district; and

    3.

    Other methods which may be used in addition to the methods described in subsection A.1 or A.2 of this section to further public awareness of meetings. Whenever practical, such announcement should include posting on a publicly accessible computer bulletin board.

    Committee meeting means a gathering of members appointed by the presiding officer to consider assigned topics.

    Continued meeting means a regular or special meeting which recesses and then reconvenes on a day other than the day when the meeting was originally called to order, and the agenda of which is identical with the agenda of that meeting.

    Executive session means a session of a municipal body which first convenes as a meeting and then, on a motion specifying the purpose of the executive session as clearly and specifically as possible without defeating the purpose thereof passed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the municipal body, goes into an executive session excluding members of the public during which the body considers, but takes no action on, except to give direction to an attorney or labor negotiator regarding a specific legal matter or pending labor negotiation, only the following subjects:

    1.

    Matters the immediate knowledge of which would clearly have an adverse effect upon the finances of the municipality;

    2.

    Subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may request a public discussion;

    3.

    Matters which by law, municipal Charter or ordinance are required to be confidential; or

    4.

    Matters involving consideration of government records that by law are not subject to public disclosure.

    These exceptions shall be construed narrowly to avoid exemptions from open meetings requirements and unnecessary executive sessions.

    Informal meeting means an in-person or telephonic meeting which includes more than three members of a body subject to this chapter, except for regular, special, committee or work session meetings or any meeting which is attended by a quorum of a body.

    Listing means a written statement of the date, time, place and subject of a meeting which is maintained and updated by the municipal clerk and is available for public inspection or for reference by telephone inquiry.

    Regular meeting means a gathering of a body for the purpose of conducting business which occurs at a usual and prearranged time and place and, in the case of the school board, which is advertised in accordance with section 29.10.050.C. In the case of the assembly, a regular meeting is a gathering held as designated in section 2.30.030.A and as advertised in accordance with section 2.30.030.K.

    Special meeting means an in-person gathering of a body called by the presiding officer or by one member fewer than a quorum of the body or, in the case of the assembly, by the mayor, for the purpose of conducting business which is of such urgency as to make waiting for the next regular meeting impractical and which, in the case of the assembly, is held in accordance with applicable provisions of section 2.30.030.

    Work session means a gathering of assembly or school board members for the purpose of obtaining information and discussing an announced topic. Members may attend telephonically.

(AO No. 94-132(S), § 1, 8-25-94)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1.05.020.