ND Attorney General Rules On Open Meeting Violations

North Dakota’s attorney general issued opinions Monday on a pair of open meeting complaints. 

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wigley was asked if the City of Fargo broke state law by not giving public notice that a quorum of City Commission members allegedly attended a series of meetings in August 2024.  The City replied that just two commissioners attended a meeting of the Downtown Community Partnership.  That’s less than a quorum.  The City of Fargo also said no other commissioners attended a meeting of the Downtown Community Partnership.  Since there wasn’t a quorum present, the AG’s office found no violation.

But in another opinion, the AG’s office said the Red River Regional Dispatch Center did not give proper notice that the location of a meeting was being moved.  The center moved the meeting the day before because of a sewer backup at the original location.  The opinion noted the change was not listed on the center’s website until the next day, nor was notice posted at the center’s principal office on the day of the meeting..and it wasn’t filed with the Cass County Auditor.  While the dispatch center has adopted new procedures to comply with state law, Wrigley’s office concluded the center did not comply with state law.