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A1]IORNEY GENERAI

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P.O. BOX a99

(573t 751-3327

March 30,2015

City of Pevely, Board ofAldermen

c/o Mr. Rick Arnold, Mayor
401 iviain Sti-eei
Pevely, Missouri 63070
Re: Sunshine Law Complaint

Dear Board Members,

Our offrce has recently received a response from all of the board members
concerning a Sunshine Law complaint our office received concerning a statement
Alderman Dave Young made during the January 26,2aLE board meeting.
We received responses from ali six aldermen. Alderman David Bewig
responded to our office that he did not have any conversations with Alderman
Young concerning the business license fee issue. Alderman Ilda Kennon informed
our office that she did receive a phone call from Aldermen Young in reference to the
business license fee issue, but that she did not inform him how she would vote on
the issue. Alderman Deborah Hurley responded to our office that she does not meet
with other elected officials outside of regularly scheduled meetings. Alderman Hahn
indicated in his response that he does not discuss public business with other elected
officials outside of public meetings. Aldermen Ed Walters informed us that he had
met with Aldermen Young, local business owners and residents to discuss the
business license fee issue at a local restaurant, but Mr. Walters stated that he did
not indicate how he would vote on the issue.

Alderman Young aiso informed our of{ice that he had a meeting with local
business owners and residents to discuss the business license fee issue. Mr. Young
informed us that he spoke to Ms. Kennon over the phone about this issue. Mr.
Young also let our office know that he discussed the issue with Ms. Hurley and that
she spoke with him about this issue and the first responder vehicles for the police
department.

City of Pevely, Board of Aldermen

Page 2

March 30, 2015

Our office would like to stress that even a d.iscussion over the phone can be a
meeting if a quorum of elected officials are present. However, it does not appear
that there was ever a quorum of elected officials present at any of these discussions.
Please note that the above material is meant as a summary of relevant
provisions of the Sunshine Law for your consideration and not as an offrcial opinion
Lf tfr. Attorney General of the State of Missouri. In providing this response, we do
not suggest that we are providing you legal advice or otherwise treating you as a
client of the Attorney General or any of his assistants.

We have closed this complaint. If you have any further questions or concerns
please feel free to contact our office at any time.
Sincerely,

CHRIS KOSTER
Attorney General

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Casey Lawrence
Sunshine Law Coordinator
(573) 751-8905 TelePhone
(573) 751-5660 Facsimiie
C as ev. Larr.rence@ago.mo. qov