A letter from the state appears to vindicate an ousted Louisiana city councilwoman as it recommends city leaders brush up on the open meetings law.

The letter is from Patricia Churchill of the Missouri Attorney General’s office.

It chides city leaders for closing a September 10th meeting and rejects a December 10th claim by the city attorney. A charge about adequate meeting notices was refuted.

Councilwoman Robbyn Morris was impeached after she suggested that the September 10th session was illegal because it violated the open meetings law.

The city claimed the meeting was closed to discuss real estate and a specific employee matter. Instead, the council heard complaints from City Administrator Bob Jenne that Morris was interfering with his job duties.

Morris is not running for her old seat in the April election, but has not said whether she’ll pursue legal action against the city.

Meanwhile, City Attorney Robert Rapp told the council on December 10th that the attorney general’s office had advised him that the city should consider suing people who file complaints against the city. The attorney general’s office is recommending the city clarify that such advice was not given.

The state also suggests city leaders attend training on the open meetings law and provide it with copies of council notices and minutes for the next six months.

There are no penalties outlined in the letter, but the state says it looks forward to the city’s reply. The council’s next meeting is February Fourth.