MN Commissioner Of Administration Rules Against City Of Fertile In Leiting Matter

Here’s an update to a story R&J News has been following.  A Commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Administration–Data Practices has ruled that the City of Fertile did not comply with the state’s open meeting law when it held closed meetings earlier this year regarding former Fair Meadow Nursing Home Administrator Angie Leiting.  You’ll remember Leiting was forced to resign from her job by the Fertile City Council back in June.  Temporary Commissioner Stacie Christensen with the Minnesota Department of Administration ruled Tuesday that the Fertile Council’s closed meetings on January 24, February 24, May 22 and June 12 did not comply with the open meeting law.  Christensen says if council members conclude that discipline may be warranted because of specific charges or allegations, further meetings or hearings related to those charges or allegations must be open.  Recordings of the closed meetings show the Fertile City Council determined discipline may be warranted at its January 24 closed meeting…and therefore ongoing discussion about disciplinary actions against Leiting in the February, May and June closed meetings were not permitted by state law.  It was also ruled that other city business discussed in the January closed meeting beyond the allegations against Leiting should have been held in open session.

Temporary Commissioner Christensen also ruled that the City of Fertile did not respond appropriately to a June 29 data request when it did not respond within ten business days.

R&J News has reached out to the City of Fertile for comment.  

You can read the full opinion here: https://mn.gov/admin/data-practices/opinions/library/#/detail/appId/1/id/594269