Citizen-Run Development Corp a Public Agency, NJ Court Says

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The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a non-profit Trenton development corporation set up by the city was subject to the state’s open meetings and records laws. Attorneys for Lafayette Yard Community Development Corp. argued it was incorporated by “public-spirited citizens” but the court said the mayor and council have absolute control over membership and it was “performing a public governmental function” by redeveloping “public land donated to it by a municipality and finances it with municipally guaranteed tax-free bonds.” (6/20/05)