Nelson...Himself wrote: Oh, to eavesdrop on certain City Council executive sessions where these matters are deliberated!

But Nelson, such “matters” as the rehabilitation, remodeling, room additions and the like of city-owned property cannot be discussed in executive sessions--at least not legally.

Now, I realize that some of the fine legal minds at City Hall often feel certain documents are worded “vaguely”, and they may very well feel that way about Ohio’s Public Meetings Law (ORC 121.22) since the VERY FIRST SENTENCE states:

“This section shall be liberally construed to require public officials to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law.”

Of course there is what is commonly referred to as the “real estate exception” --ORC 121.22(G)(2)--which allows executive session discussions:

“To consider the purchase of property for public purposes, or for the sale of property at competitive bidding, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest.”

Even without being “liberally construed”, I can’t find extravagant remodeling listed as a “subject matter specifically excepted”!!!