But, as the Tennessean reports this morning, there have been some other meetings, maybe in violation of Sunshine Law (or at least the spirit of Sunshine Law):
Board members have been meeting privately in committees, and on conference calls and closed sessions over the past month and a half -- all without the public knowing. The Tennessean has learned of four meetings since Dec. 22 that the TVA describes as "briefings," in which board members were present in Knoxville or on conference calls with management. The same type of unannounced, private meetings occurred before the spill, too.
....
The board says it's all perfectly legal, and its lawyers have given their OK. No votes or actions have been taken in these sessions, they say.
...
Critics say the real business occurs in the closeted committee meetings. Four such meetings have been held since the spill. The committees report at open board meetings, but their minutes are not provided to the public.
...
Federal law governing the agency allows its four committees to meet without public notice because the committees are small enough that they don't constitute a board quorum that can carry out policy of the agency, according to the board.Others, however, say most decisions -- if not literally pre-determined -- are largely made in this shrouded committee process before official board meetings take place.
