Sunshine Act ignored in Monessen?

By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO

ebennett@yourmvi.com

A media law counsel with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association believes there may have been multiple breaches of the Sunshine Act during Monessen’s first council meeting of the year –– though the city’s new solicitor, who didn’t attend the meeting, maintains there weren’t any infractions.

Melissa Melewsky, PNA media law counsel and an expert on the Sunshine Act, expressed concern about conduct at last week’s meeting and identified things she believes may be in direct defiance of the law. 

Solicitor Tim Witt was not present at the Jan. 6 meeting and said he has not watched the video recording. He added that he hasn’t had the chance to collaborate with council on many of the matters in question.

The Sunshine Act is a state law that requires governing agencies to deliberate and take official action on agency business in open and public meetings. The law requires meetings to have prior notice so the public can comment and participate before a governing agency takes action. 

Council voted last week to fire its solicitor and city administrator, alter meeting times and limit future public comment. The actions took place as Mayor Matt Shorraw and Councilman Gil Coles returned to council after nearly two years of absence from city hall and newly elected Councilman Donald Gregor voted with them, forming a new majority. 

Shorraw came equipped with a copy of an agenda that the public and council minority did not have access to during the meeting. It was from this agenda that decisions were made regarding the entirety of the meeting, including terminations, appointments and reorganization. 

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