Posted on Tue, Apr. 21, 2009

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Sedgwick County commissioners briefed on new open-meetings law

BY BECCY TANNER

The Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County commissioners struggled a little Tuesday to grasp changes to the Kansas open meetings law.

For almost 20 minutes, the commissioners listened to a briefing from County Counselor Rich Euson, occasionally asking questions or commenting about the changes. Effective July 1, public officials will be prohibited from using one-on-one meetings, e-mails or text messages to reach agreements on issues.

"If I talk in general to a colleague about the arena and in the same day talk to another colleague about the arena, so am I in violation?" asked Commissioner Tim Norton.

That would depend on the intent of the interaction or how information is conveyed, Euson said, particularly if it is "interactive communication in a series."

"Do I use my Webster's dictionary to define that or your Black's Law dictionary?" asked Commission Chairman Kelly Park.

Commissioner Gwen Welshimer said, "I'd just like to know where we stand. I want something that tells me I am in compliance with the law."

Euson was reassuring. The law is not violated if commissioners are merely seen talking, but rather if they discuss items and reach agreements on subjects that may later appear on agendas, he said.

County Manager Bill Buchanan said the new law prohibits staff from letting individual commissioners know what other commissioners are thinking on issues before meetings.

Commissioner Dave Unruh said he is confident with the new law and noted it is not substantially different from what commissioners have followed in the past.

"We are not trying to find a way to get around something," he said. "You continually remind us to stay within the boundaries of what you have coached us to do and not do. I don't feel burdened by this new law."

He paused, and when Parks was ready to move the meeting on to other topics, he joked:

"Eye contact is permissible, yes?"

Reach Beccy Tanner at 316-268-6336 or btanner@wichitaeagle.com.

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