Potential Public Meetings Law Violation

Oregon Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610 – 192.690) requires that meetings be open to the public unless an executive session is permitted, that proper notice be given, and that the meeting minutes and votes be recorded. The law also provides a process by which a person believing that a governing body has acted in violation of the law may, within 30 days of the alleged violation, file a written grievance.

The grievance must set forth the specific facts and circumstances that the person asserts amounted to a violation. The grievance must state the identity of the person filing the grievance and any other information required by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

A public body receiving a written grievance shall, within 21 days of receipt, provide a written response to the person acknowledging receipt of the grievance and:

• Denying the facts and circumstances as set forth in the grievance accurately reflect the conduct of the governing body and setting forth the facts and circumstances as determined by the public body and the reasons why those facts and circumstances do not amount to a violation of Oregon Public Meetings Law; or
• Admitting that the facts and circumstances as set forth in the grievance accurately reflect the conduct of the governing body, but denying that those facts and circumstances amount to a violation of Oregon Public Meetings Law; or
• Admitting that the conduct of the governing body amounted to a violation of Oregon Public Meetings Law and setting forth the steps the governing body will take to cure the violation, including but not limited to:
  • Rescinding the decision taken by the governing body in violation of Oregon Public Meetings Law; or
  • Acknowledging in a properly noticed and conducted public meeting held within 45 days of the governing body’s original decision that:
    • The original decision was made in violation of Oregon Public Meetings Law;
    • Good cause exists for the governing body to not rescind the decision; and
    • The public body’s practices will be modified to ensure future violations of Oregon Public Meetings Law do not occur.

The public body shall send a copy of the written grievance and the public body’s response to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission at the time the public body responds to the person who filed the grievance.

If you believe members of the City Council or other city public body (including boards and committees) violated Oregon Public Meetings Law, please fill out this form in its entirety.