City Attorney Penita Midbury told newly elected members of the Rawlins City Council that the city uses the council-manager form of government and that "the legislative and policy making powers are vested in the city council." She reviewed relevant Wyoming statutes and municipal practices for meetings, ethics, and public records.

Midbury emphasized that a majority of a council constitutes a quorum and that deliberations about public business among a quorum outside a public meeting can violate open-meetings law. "You can't discuss business in an informal setting if there's a quorum and you're deliberating," she said. She walked attendees through the differences among regular meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings and executive sessions and noted that executive sessions are restricted to specific subjects listed in statute.

She also reviewed the Wyoming Public Records Act and warned council members that electronic communications about city business on personal devices are subject to disclosure. Midbury covered the prohibition on using public office for private benefit, recusal practices when a council member has a personal or financial interest, and gift rules under state law.

Ending: Midbury invited council members to ask questions and offered to provide legal research and advice; she said the city attorney's office will share relevant statutes and guidance and encouraged new members to attend WAM training.