The council received its annual Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and GRAMA training at the April 23 meeting.

Shane Stroud, an assistant attorney general assigned to natural‑resource boards and commissions, walked members through the OPMA’s core requirements: proper public notice, an accessible physical or electronic meeting location, conducting business in the open (deliberations and decisions), and keeping records and minutes. Stroud explained when a closed meeting is allowed — typically rare and limited to specific purposes such as personnel health or pending litigation — and described the requirements for recordings and sworn statements when meetings are closed.

Stroud also summarized the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). He emphasized that records prepared, received or retained in connection with council work may be public records and that members should separate personal email and messages from council business. He advised against destroying or sharing records outside authorized channels, and said that the Division’s GRAMA officer can assist with complex requests.

On conflicts of interest, Stroud reminded members that councilors must disclose direct or immediate relationships — especially financial interests — with persons or entities affected by council decisions, and that an affected member should recuse from voting on matters that would benefit them personally. He handed out the governor’s handbook for state boards and commissions and forms for financial disclosure.

Why it matters: The training reiterated legal obligations that affect how the council handles meeting notices, minutes, records, public comment, and outside communications when reviewing grant applications or advising the Division.

What council members asked: Members sought clarification about what constitutes a meeting (quorum, deliberation and action), whether training sessions could be considered meetings, how members should solicit input from stakeholder groups without creating disclosable records, and whether social‑media outreach to constituencies is permissible. Stroud advised members to consult staff — Rachel Toker, Patrick Morrison or the Division’s GRAMA officer — before undertaking large‑scale outreach that might raise GRAMA concerns.

Next steps: Division staff said they will support the council in proper notice and recordkeeping and can advise members individually on GRAMA or conflict questions.

Lede: The council received its required Open Public Meetings Act and GRAMA training on April 23, emphasizing notice, public access and records rules.

Nut graf: The training, led by the attorney general’s office and Division staff, reviewed when meetings may be closed, how to preserve and produce records under GRAMA, and when council members should declare and manage conflicts of interest.

Ending: Members were directed to consult Division staff or the GRAMA officer for case‑specific questions; the Division will circulate materials used in the training.