Action by Grapevine City Officials Called a “Clear-Violation” of Open Meetings Act

In north Texas officials with the City of Grapevine wanted to hire a powerful former state representative as a lobbyist. No problem. They can do that. But when they decided to discuss it privately under the “personnel” exception to the Texas Open Meetings Act, it was a “clear-violation” of state law according to a volunteer attorney for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Why? According to Webster’s Dictionary, “…per·son·nel…a body of persons usually employed (as in a factory, office, or organization).  In other  words, hiring a potential contractor does not make them a city employee.  Click for more