Open Meetings Act (OMA) Compliance

What is the OMA?

The Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.261-15.275) requires that all meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions. The Act ensures government transparency by requiring advance notice of meetings, public access to attend and observe, and availability of meeting minutes. It applies to the Township Board, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and all other township boards and committees.

Meeting notice requirements

• 18-hour advance notice

  Public notice of each meeting must be posted at least 18 hours before the meeting, unless an emergency exception applies under MCL 15.265a.

• Posting locations

  Notices are posted at Warren Township Hall, on the township website, and at any other location designated by the board.

• Regular meeting schedule

  A schedule of regular meetings is posted within 10 days of the first meeting of each calendar year or at the organizational meeting.

• Special meetings

  For special meetings, notice must be posted at least 18 hours in advance and must include the date, time, and place of the meeting.

Minutes requirements

• Proposed minutes

  Proposed minutes must be available for public inspection within 8 business days after the meeting.

• Approved minutes

  Approved minutes must be available within 5 business days after the meeting at which they are approved.

• Content

  Minutes must include the date, time, place, members present, members absent, decisions made, the purpose and result of all roll call votes, and all other required information under MCL 15.269.

Public participation

• Right to attend

  Any person has the right to attend an open meeting of a public body. A person cannot be excluded from a meeting except for a breach of the peace.

• Right to address the board

  The public must be given a reasonable opportunity to address the board at each meeting. Public comment periods are included on all regular meeting agendas.

• Rules of decorum

  The board may establish reasonable rules to maintain order and decorum during meetings, such as time limits for individual comments.

Closed session rules

A public body may only meet in closed session for the following limited purposes under MCL 15.268:

• To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of a public employee or agent if a written request for closed session is received from the person
• For strategy and negotiation sessions connected with a collective bargaining agreement
• To consult with the attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in pending litigation
• To review and consider the contents of an application for employment if the candidate requests confidentiality
• To consider the purchase or lease of real property up to the time an option to purchase or lease is obtained

A two-thirds roll call vote is required to enter closed session. All decisions must be made in open session.

How we comply

• Meeting notices are posted at least 18 hours in advance on the township website and at Township Hall
• A regular meeting schedule is published at the beginning of each year
• Proposed minutes are posted within 8 business days of each meeting
• Approved minutes are posted within 5 business days of board approval
• Meeting agendas include a public comment period
• All meeting records are available in the documents explorer