November 13, 2002

District Attorney Nola Tedesco Foulston announces her office has concluded the review of an open meeting act compliant filed against the City of Bel Aire, Kansas.  Wichita attorney David M. Traster filed the complaint on behalf of his client Waste Connections, Inc.  The complaint alleged Mr. Traster made written requests of the City of Bel Aire for notice and agendas of Bel Aire City Council and Bel Aire Recycling Committee meetings.  Mr. Traster was particularly interested in those meetings involving discussion or action on waste management issues.

The complaint resulted in an agreed judgment that has been approved by the District Court.   The Judgment established that on October 1, 2002, the Bel Aire Recycling Committee met at the city building in Bel Aire and Mr. Traster was not provided prior notice of the meeting.  The Judgment included a finding that the City of Bel Aire failed to comply with the notice provisions of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  The costs of the action, $110, were assessed against the City of Bel Aire.