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The Parks, Recreation and Landscaping Commission received a refresher on Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act during its regular meeting, part of a citywide effort to reinforce open meeting requirements following concerns raised about the handling of a recent Redevelopment Authority meeting.
During the commission’s meeting, City Solicitor Andrea Stapleford presented an overview of the Sunshine Act, explaining the law’s purpose of ensuring transparency in government and outlining the responsibilities of public boards and commissions.
The training follows criticism surrounding the Redevelopment Authority’s June 10 special meeting, where residents raised concerns about the meeting’s location, public access, and adherence to open meeting procedures.
During a subsequent City Council meeting, several residents called for additional Sunshine Act and Robert’s Rules of Order training for city officials, board members and commission chairs. Council Vice-President Danielle Flasher stated that the city would provide Sunshine Act training for council members, city staff and members of city boards to help prevent similar issues in the future.
Stapleford told commission members that public bodies must conduct official business openly and provide residents with the opportunity to observe and participate in the decision-making process. She explained that meeting agendas generally must be posted at least 24 hours in advance and that a quorum of members may not deliberate agency business outside of a properly advertised public meeting.
She also reviewed public comment requirements, noting that members of the public must be given an opportunity to comment before official votes are taken. While boards are not required to answer questions during public comment, they must provide the opportunity for residents to speak.
Stapleford encouraged commissioners to err on the side of caution when determining whether conversations constitute deliberation, advising that discussions involving policy or decisions should occur only during public meetings.
The solicitor also outlined the limited circumstances under which executive sessions may be held, including discussions involving personnel matters, real estate transactions, pending litigation and attorney-client privileged communications. She emphasized that no binding votes may be taken during executive sessions and that all official action must occur after returning to open session.
Stapleford also explained that if a public body is accused of violating the Sunshine Act, it may be able to cure the issue by holding a properly advertised public meeting and taking any necessary official action in public.
“The rule of thumb is to be cautious,” Stapleford said. “If there’s any question, talk about it in the public meeting. Always be cautious and transparent.”
Commission members thanked Stapleford for the presentation, noting that much of the material is preventative but valuable as city officials work to ensure all boards and commissions are operating under the same understanding of Pennsylvania’s open meeting law.