Public Notices

Q: Are cities required to post council packets online before a meeting?

LMC: No. Cities are not required to post council packets on their websites. Under Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law, at least one copy of any printed material related to agenda items, whether prepared before the meeting or distributed during it, must be available in the meeting room for public inspection. Most cities place this copy in the back of the council chambers to avoid disruptions.

However, posting the agenda online in advance is a best practice for transparency. It allows residents to know what topics the council plans to address and to be informed about the city’s business. Information in the packets is generally public data that must be provided upon request, but cities should always review packets before posting to ensure that only public data is shared.

Some cities have raised cybersecurity and fraud concerns related to posting packets online. To reduce risk when posting online, best practices include removing check numbers from claims lists, not including whole invoices or invoice numbers, and excluding specific employee details from payroll information. If this changes how your packets are assembled, explain to residents why the change is being made and how they can still access the data they need.

Answered by Managing Counsel-Research Amber Eisenschenk: [email protected].

Municipal Websites

Q: Why should our city transition to a .gov domain?

LMC: A law passed during the 2024 Minnesota legislative session requires all cities and counties that administer absentee voting to use a .gov domain for their official websites by June 1, 2026.

In addition to meeting this requirement, a .gov domain signals to residents that the information on your site is legitimate and comes from a verified government source. Because online civic engagement continues to grow, along with opportunities for misinformation, .gov domains have become a key part of national cybersecurity efforts. They are restricted to official U.S. government organizations and require applicants to verify their identity and follow strict usage guidelines.

By contrast, open domains such as .com, .org, and .net can be registered by anyone without proof of identity or citizenship. That makes it easy for bad actors to create look-alike websites that impersonate government entities. Moving to a .gov domain reduces that risk. It strengthens public trust, helps protect residents from fraud, and supports broader efforts to guard against misinformation, election interference, and other cyberthreats facing all levels of government.

Answered by LMC Cybersecurity Loss Control Consultant Christian Torkelson: [email protected].

Hiring Considerations

Q: I’m new to local government. What should I know about hiring in the public sector?

LMC: Hiring for a Minnesota city might look similar to private-sector recruiting, but it follows a very different set of rules. If you’re new to public sector hiring, here are four key points to understand:

• Open Meeting Law requirements. Unlike private companies, cities are subject to the Open Meeting Law, which means interviews conducted by a quorum of the city council must be held in an open public meeting.
• Veterans preference often applies. Under Minnesota’s Veterans Preference Act, eligible veterans receive preference points in many hiring processes. Always verify eligibility and apply points accurately.
• Applicant privacy rules differ. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, applicant names are private data until finalists are named. Once that happens, limited information such as the applicant’s name becomes public. Be cautious of what data you share and when.
• Pay and benefits structure. Depending on the city’s structure, it is crucial to understand who in your city has authority over hiring decisions and who sets or changes wages and benefits. It is also important to know which positions are covered by collective bargaining agreements, since those contracts typically govern pay and benefits. Additionally, cities must comply with the Minnesota Local Government Pay Equity Act.

Public sector hiring may be more structured, but that structure supports fairness, equal opportunity, and public trust in employment decisions. For more information about hiring, see Chapter 2 of the League’s HR Reference Manual at lmc.org/hiring.

Answered by LMC Assistant HR Director Joyce Hottinger: [email protected].