Reference no: EM131674774

Question: The county board of commissioners (the Board) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a professional baseball team. The MOU obligated the team, among other things, to relocate to the city for spring training. The MOU called for the renovation of a stadium complex. In addition, the MOU called for renovations at the team's minor league spring training facilities. Several informational briefings for individual members of the Board were conducted privately, and e-mails were circulated among Board members, regarding the negotiations and agreement with the team. Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government sued, alleging that the privately conducted meetings and e-mails by Board members were a violation of the Government in Sunshine Law requiring that: All meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, at which official acts are to be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times, and no resolution, rule, or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at such meeting. The board or commission must provide reasonable notice of all such meetings. How should the court rule? Why?