Wisline Programs

Understanding Open Government Laws

Participation in an active Wisline session includes the written materials. Materials will be sent to the site if you register at least 10 days prior, or to your address if you register late. Cancellations must be received 10 days prior in order to receive a refund. To register call 608-262-0810. $20 per session per person.

December 2, 2009 (Wednesday) 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Open Meetings Law (#1773-1) Basic statutory requirements of the open meetings law and current case law. Claire Silverman, League of Wisconsin Municipalities; Carol Nawrocki and Lee Turonie, Wisconsin Towns Association; and Bruce Olsen, Office of the Attorney General. $20

December 9, 2009 (Wednesday) 2:00 - 4:00 pm Open Records Law (#1773-2) Learn the requirements of the open records law, and find out about pending cases and proposed legislative changes. Claire Silverman, League of Wisconsin Municipalities; Carol Nawrocki and Lee Turonie, Wisconsin Towns Association; and Mary Burke from the Office of the Attorney General. $20

December 16, 2009 (Wednesday) 2:00 - 4:00 pm Ethics and Conflicts of Interest (#1773-3) Learn what ethics and conflict of interest laws apply to local officials as they conduct government business. Philip Freeburg, Local Government Center and Jonathan Becker, State Ethics Board. $20

Parliamentary Procedure For Local Governments (#1773-4)

January 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 2010 (Tuesdays) 3:30 - 4:20 pm. Four session program $75. This program series will provide a basic understanding of the traditional rules of procedure that local government officials use in the conduct of meetings. Each program is organized around one of the four basic principles that will address many of the more frequently asked questions about Parliamentary Procedure, such as:

• Where do I turn when I have a problem?
• What powers can the chairperson assume?
• When can the chairperson vote?
• What constitutes a meeting?
• What can you do without a quorum?
• What are appropriate forms of voting?
• When is more than a majority vote required to pass a motion?
• When are specific motions out of order?
• How can you reconsider a decision?

We provide materials, use many examples and, as always, encourage participation. Larry E. Larmer, Local Government Center.

• January 12, 2010 - Principle of Parliamentary Authority. The relationships among statutes, court decisions, organizational rules and Robert's Rules of Order - Newly Revised.
• January 19, 2010 - Principle of a Meeting. Issues about notice, quorum and attendance.
• January 26, 2010 - Principle of Majority Rule. Ownership of motions, seconding a motion, and when more than a majority is required.
• Feburary 2, 2010 - Principle of Order. Rules of precedence among motions and details.

Minutes of Local Government Meetings (#1773-5)

February 9, 16 and 23, 2010 (Tuesdays) 3:00 - 4:20 pm. Three-session program, $55.

How much detail should minutes contain? What information must be included and should not be included in minutes? How can minutes be made easier to read? How should we handle minutes of closed sessions?

These and other questions are frequently asked by local government minute-takers. Although there are few legal requirements that govern the content of minutes, we offer suggestions that have proved helpful to those who prepare minutes and those who use them. In addition to the WisLine discussions, we provide many examples that are adapted from actual minutes. We also encourage participants to raise specific questions both during as well as between sessions via email and telephone. Larry E. Larmer, Local Government Center

• February 9, 2010 - Purpose of Minutes: Format Options
• February 16, 2010 - Content of Minutes
• February 23, 2010 - Editing; Corrections and Approval; Preservation and Access; Minutes as Public Records

If you have any questions regarding Community Resource Development in Polk County, please contact:

Robert (Bob) Kazmierski
Polk County - UW Extension
100 Polk County Plaza
Suite 210
Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Phone: 715-485-8600
Fax: 715-485-8601
Email: bob.kazmierski@ces.uwex.edu