This supplemental finding addressed whether the OMA violations found in Belmore v. Newport City Council, OM 18-13 were willful or knowing. After reviewing all the evidence presented, we found insufficient evidence of a willful or knowing violation. We concurred with the City Solicitor's contention that this matter presented "a hodge-podge of discussions in which there is no indication that councilors involved knew who else was involved other than the ones that they had talked to." While ultimately violative of the OMA, in our opinion, the City Council's actions reflected a careless and freewheeling process, not a willful or knowing violation of the OMA.
