[Watchdogs] PEC Strategic Planning

[Carlos Higgins]

Hi, All


These are exceptions to open meetings laws, and no other exceptions are implied. These 7 exceptions allow for closed meetings (executive sessions):(1) purchase or lease of real property; 

(2) security measures; 

(3) receipt of gifts; 

(4) consultation with attorney; 

(5) personnel matters; 

(6) economic development; and 

(7) certain homeland security matters. 

The governing body must first convene in open session, identify which issues will be discussed in executive session, and cite the time and applicable exception. All final actions, decisions, or votes must be made in an open meeting.

Which of the above exceptions apply when the Board is discussing strategic planning?  Although the PEC is not subject to the Texas Open Meetings laws, our Board really ought to have a good reason for ignoring these standards.

Even if discussions about a 'strategic plan' might tend to reveal various board members' inclinations about such things as 

·       level of pay and bonuses, 

·       justification for branch offices, 

·       the importance of 'green' power and energy saving rebates, or

·       a host of other potentially sensitive subjects, 

open meetings exceptions are not there to offer cover to timid board members or to allow board members with hidden agendas to bushwhack PEC member/owners or PEC employees. 

Discussing and deciding whether all the PEC branch offices are  justified is a good example of a PEC Board doing what that Board is supposed to do.  It's very much like a school board discussing the opening or closing of a school.  That's done in public, even though there will be some people who do not agree with the decision and may get highly vocal with criticisms of the Board 

If you are willing to 'stand up' and do the job expected of a board member, you can almost count on taking some heat now and then. But exceptions to open meetings are not there to protect board members from criticism.  If you can't stand the heat, there's a widely accepted solution for that personal problem. 

Respectfully,

Carlos Higgins

Austin, TX

512 258 3564 CarlosTX at sbcglobal.net
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