Bennett
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A prosecutor says Wichita’s Airport Naming Committee did not violate the Kansas Open Meetings Act when it held two meetings without prior notification to the public.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said in a statement Tuesday that a survey of local media found that none had specifically asked to be notified of panel’s meetings. He contends that absent a request for notification, a failure to give notice does not trigger a violation of the act.
The city of Wichita notified Bennett’s office in March that its Airport Naming Committee held meetings in December and January without prior public notification.
The city routinely notifies local media of public meetings. Bennett says that is commendable, but a lapse in its execution does not equate to an open meetings violation.