The Nebraska Attorney General’s office says open meetings and public records laws apply to Omaha’s Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority.
Senator Ernie Chambers requested the Attorney General’s opinion on MECA. At issue was whether MECA is subject to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act and public records laws, since the organization is a public/private entity.
The analysis from the AG’s office used a four-prong approach to determine if MECA must follow those laws. The four factors are whether the entity performs a governmental function; how much government funding it receives; how much government regulates or is involved with the entity; and whether it was created by the government.
Chief Deputy Attorney General David Bydalek says all four of the factors apply to MECA, so they’re subject to the laws.
MECA spokeswoman Kristi Andersen says “We are reviewing the Attorney General’s opinion with our legal team and will reserve comment until after that time.”
MECA manages the CenturyLink Center and TD Ameritrade Park. Their board members are appointed by the Mayor or the Omaha City Council. MECA was established in 1997 and entered in to an agreement with the city of Omaha in 2000.