ÿWPC* –Ù¤…¯ ÚR8ä‚’Jn{2T‚.æÜ ˆªgÒÖ ¬Ô¾X_ÛõŠ&Ûob“E=×ö^ÏšƒfÑýmŒèþ>ÞAmSÓÎjÛIt²[Æa*ƒÃÀ·àu¥©h$OCꃒZ·”|}3œ‡z!å™déŠj @BŠô„GzM²îAHë[RíôЄ#↽ƒîÌ.RßÁD0Ð!Èf)œÑ޾1Î8¢pƒ¦…O˜ŽÞFŒèü¥Î ìó*q¦X±g¹HåëâÀ‘»ïœ26qDª'tÚ• g/r•Ý«ª±¨Np"]·¾7áÖâ®-6éiU0"QvkyG—YËà˜žâÙUhFÇŸH¶Ö…DË'0öõŠT3”9x' ˆ Ø?†[%ðö¶¾ã öbq›â77$½@¨˜AdlÕaú=ËÄŽÉ3](ÃC Ô-^”ª¶ÊʸIø8<›,i®‚‡¥yÛç5ЭÎÝC ¡H)¦t?ŠæÂ?€EZ…z#v+Ûò Ôš`ÎsZà¼Ñ",\Á΃¬.ÐfSJØÆ w&Cßœ7mÆí‚ ÊÆ›)¤Ù*@NªlZºkæÈ¡GÅËZôù²‡–V¸Kð ¾þÖ¢+)# >UNI %— 0³U <Pw@Œ4ÌàU <ï,+ 0 WR` =² 1ï õ AV^ AQd 0Dµ(ùÃ!|äU:`(šU: BüÆ 0Dß 0D# 0 Dgg D/«« BÚ D3÷˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX(‹7ÿ$¡¡Ò°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ7€ü†XXdðXXdð7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€Xd|XXXÔ-šBu Z‹$Arrus BT Roman ,-D.D/U0U1î2Ó€3Ó€?Bn~<$3|xB)LÀÄ  Z $Arrus BT Roman "Ý ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡ Xz©XXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€The€Chancellor€relied€on€Exhibit€A€of€Michael€Graftonððs€affidavit€inÐ ° Ðrendering€his€decision.(¹(2ö\$¤¤Ý ƒ7ÿ!ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ7€,þXXdðdð7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€XdlXXXÔÝ  ÝÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó HÝ ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡ Xz©XXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€The€record€was€deficient€with€regard€to€a€copy€of€the€notice€of€the€July€29,Ð ° Ð1997€meeting€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District.€ 3Ý ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€ XdzXXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€The€board€meeting€which€was€originally€called€on€July€29,€1996€to€reviewÐ ° Ðthis€issue€failed€to€produce€a€quorum. 'Ý ƒ ö\$ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÔ€XÔsXXXÔÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€This€letter€was€sent€to€Souder€and€the€others€by€Joseph€McGuire€(McGuire),Ð ° Ðthe€Interim€Director€of€Operations€of€HP.€ ëÝ ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€ XdzXXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€Souderððs€contract€was€due€to€expire€on€February€1,€1997. 7Ý ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡ Xz©XXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€The€Chancellor€also€concluded€that€HPððs€assertion€that€the€subsequentÐ ° Ðaction€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€cured€any€violation€of€the€Act€to€constitute€aÏconclusion€of€law.€€As€such,€the€Chancellor€stated€that€such€a€conclusion€of€law€is€notÏeffective€to€establish€a€disputed€issue€of€fact€on€the€basis€of€the€pleadings€in€order€toÏavoid€entry€of€a€judgment€on€the€pleadings.€€Furthermore,€the€Chancellor€rejectedÏHPððs€claim€that€the€decision€to€terminate€Souderððs€Physician€Provider€Agreement€wasÏpurely€a€management€decision€made€without€reference€to€the€resolution€of€the€BoardÏof€Directors€as€a€legally€impossible€fact. üÝ ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡ Xz©XXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€The€District€is,€as€a€matter€of€law,€subject€to€the€requirements€of€the€Act. !"%Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó Ý ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XXXXÔÔ€-XXÔÓ  ÓÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XX-ÔÐ  ÐÌò òOctober€27,€1998Ð šš ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌÔ€ôŸ« ôXXÔAppellate€Court€Clerkó ó ¹Ý ƒ $ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡ Xz©XXXÔÓÓÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€The€court€relied€heavily€on€the€Georgia€Supreme€Courtððs€decision€in€òòò òRed€&Ð ° ÐBlack€Publððg€Co.€v.€Board€of€Regentsó óóó,€427€S.E.2d€257€(1993).€€In€that€case,€theÐ ² ÐCourt€held€that€the€Student€Organization€Court€of€the€University€of€Georgia€wasÏsubject€to€the€Open€Meetings€Act€because€a€public€agency€had€delegated€officialÏresponsibilities€and€authority€to€the€Student€Organization€Court.€€Thus,€a€subsidiaryÏof€a€public€agency€was€deemed€subject€to€the€Open€Meetings€Act. rÝ ƒ ö\$ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÔ€XÔsXXXÔÓÓà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€€According€to€HPððs€charter,€its€purpose€is€to€ð ðfurther€.€.€.€the€statutoryÐ ° Ðmission€of€the€Jackson„Madison€County€General€Hospital€District€to€make€healthÏcare€available€to€the€public.ðð,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ!¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XXXXÔÔ€-XXÔÓ  ÓÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XX-ÔÐ  ÐÌò òOctober€26,€1998Ð šš ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌÔ€ôŸ« ôXXÔAppellate€Court€Clerkó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular dƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó'''÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ7ÿ!ÝÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÓ  ÓÑ7€,ÓXXdðdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€XÔsXXXÔÝ  ÝÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ7€,ÓXXdðXXdð7Ññ?ññ3ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@Eô±` ttx$,°ð Õrßñ3ññ?ññBññ?ñßr€(<,(j 8` `€€@Eô±` ttx$,°ð Õrßñ?ññBññBññBñà@Ì Ì ®àIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌñBñßt€(>.*jxûýÑ` `€€@Eï` ttx$'¹ð œ tßñBñà@)®àAT€JACKSONˆÌà ` àà ¸ à€€€€______________________________________________ÌÌÌò òBOB€T.€SOUDER,€IndividuallyÐ °  Ðand€on€behalf€of€all€others€similarlyÌsituated,€ó óÐ ´  ÐÌà ` àPlaintiffs„Appellees,Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àMadison€Chancery€No.€53326ÌVs.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àC.A.€No.€02A01„9712„CH„00321Ð ¶  ÐÌò òHEALTH€PARTNERS,€INC.,€ó óÐ ¶  ÐÌà ` àDefendant„Appellant.Ì____________________________________________________________________________ÌÌà@? ? ®àFROM€THE€MADISON€COUNTY€CHANCERY€COURTˆÌà@É É ®àTHE€HONORABLE€JOE€C.€MORRIS,€CHANCELLORˆÌÌÌñ-ñÌÌñ-ñÌÌà@  ®àWilliam€H.€West;€Stokes€&€Bartholomew€of€NashvilleˆÌà@„„®àWilliam€H.€Shackelford€of€JacksonˆÌà@II(®àFor€AppelleesˆÌÌà@  ®àRobert€B.€Littleton,€Mary€Ellen€Morris;€Trabue,€ˆÌà@••®àSturdivant€&€DeWitt€of€NashvilleˆÌà@>>(®àFor€AppellantˆÌÌÌÌñ.ñÌÌÌñ.ñÌà@gg$®àò òòòAFFIRMED€AS€MODIFIEDˆÐ ¸'## ÐÌó óóóà@33'®àOpinion€filed:ˆÐ ¸)%% ÐÌÌÌñ/ñÌñ/ññ/ñÌñ/ññ/ñÌñ/ñÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àò òW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,Ð ¸1-- Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.ÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGEÌÌñ,ñHERSCHEL€P.€FRANKS,€JUDGEñ,ñó óñ0ñÐ Ê:66 ÐÐ Ì;779 Ðñ0ññ1ñ›ñ1ññ2ñÓÓñ2ññ1ñà ` àThis€case€involves€a€contract€arbitration€clause€and€the€Tennessee€OpenÏMeetings€Act€(Act).€€Defendant,€Health€Partners,€Inc.€(HP),€appeals€the€ChancellorððsÏorder€denying€its€motion€to€compel€arbitration€and€granting€the€Plaintiffððs,€Dr.€BobÏT.€Souder,€M.D.€(Souder),€motion€for€judgment€on€the€pleadings.€€Ìà ` àHP€is€a€Preferred€Provider€Organization€(PPO)€that€contracts€with€insuranceÏcompanies€and€employers€from€Tennessee€and€other€states.€€HP€provides€contractingÏœthird„party›€œpayors›€with€a€network€of€physicians.€€HP€was€created€in€1994€under€theÏauthority€of€the€Jackson„Madison€County€General€Hospital€District€(District)€as€aÏð ðgovernmental€instrumentalityðð€of€the€District.€€The€District€created€HP€in€order€toÏfurther€the€Districtððs€mission€to€provide€the€full€range€of€health€care€and€allied€andÏincidental€services.׃×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€HP€is€a€not„for„profit€mutual€benefit€corporation€which€has,€asÐ ° Ðits€sole€member,€the€District.€Ìà ` àIn€1994,€Souder€entered€into€a€Physician€Participation€Agreement€(PPA)€withÏHP.€€In€late€1996,€Souder€and€other€physicians€who€were€participating€medicalÏproviders€in€HPððs€PPO€received€a€letter׃×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€dated€November€26,€1996€from€HP€whichÐ °  Ðstated€in€part€as€follows:Ìà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àThe€Board€of€Directors€of€Health€Partners€recentlyÏapproved€actions€which€offer€an€exclusive€providerÏrelationship€to€West€Tennessee€Alliance€for€HealthcareÏ(WTAH),€a€Physician€Hospital€Organization€(PHO),€andÏthe€Jackson€Clinic€to€serve€as€the€sole€physician€networks,Ïfor€services€they€render,€in€Madison€County.€.€.€.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÓ  Ó*€*€*€ÌÓêÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àIt€is€our€understanding€that€you€are€not€currently€aÐ °2.. Ðmember€of€WTAH.€€Because€of€the€above€describedÏdecision,€we€are€hereby€notifying€you€that€your€existingÏcontract€with€Health€Partners€will€not€be€renewed.׃X×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×а¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌÓÓà ` àThe€action€of€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€described€in€the€above„quotedÏletter€did€not€take€place€at€a€board€meeting,€but€instead€took€place€in€the€form€of€aÏwritten€consent€resolution€in€lieu€of€a€meeting.׃ ×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€January€9,€1997,€the€Board€ofÐ °$  ÐDirectors€of€HP€adopted€a€resolution€in€which€it€restated€its€previously€adoptedÏpolicy€of€limiting€HPððs€physician€provider€network€in€Madison€County.€€ThisÏmeeting€took€place€without€prior€public€notice€as€had€all€previous€meetings€of€theÏBoard€of€Directors€of€HP.Ð °,(( Ðà ` àSubsequently,€Souder€and€the€other€physicians€received€a€letter€from€McGuireÏdated€January€31,€1997,€which€stated€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àYou€previously€received€from€us€a€letter€dated€NovemberÏ26,€1996,€advising€that€your€Physician€ParticipationÏAgreement€with€Health€Partners,€Inc.€would€not€beÏrenewed.€€We€understand€there€may€be€someÏmisunderstanding€as€to€the€effect€of€the€notice€ofÏnonrenewal.€€In€order€to€clarify€any€confusion€that€mayÏexist,€and€to€assure€an€orderly€transition,€this€letter€isÏnotice,€pursuant€to€Section€9.2€of€the€PhysicianÏParticipation€Agreement,€that€the€agreement€isÏterminated.€€The€effective€date€of€the€termination€of€yourÏPhysician€Participation€Agreement€is€sixty€(60)€days€fromÏthe€date€of€this€letter,€April€1,€1997.€€Until€this€date,€youÏwill€remain€a€participating€provider€in€Health€Partners,ÏInc.Óæ ÓÐ ¸ ¤¸ ¤ Ðà ` àOn€July€29,€1997,€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€amended€HPððs€charterÏmaking€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€HP.€€ThisÏmeeting€was€announced€to€the€public€and€open€to€such.׃×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€addition€to€amendingÐ °%!! ÐHPððs€charter,€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€ratified€and€confirmed€all€actionsÏof€the€previous€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€and€the€management€of€HP.€€Ìà ` àIn€May€1997,€Souder€filed€this€suit€seeking€reinstatement€of€his€PPA€with€HPÏalleging€that€the€actions€of€HP€violated€the€Act.€€Souder€alleges€that€the€Act€isÏapplicable€to€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€in€that€it€is€an€entity€that€falls€within€theÏprovisions€of€the€Act.€€Furthermore,€Souder€avers€that€the€action€of€the€Board€ofÏDirectors€of€HP€to€limit€its€network,€thereby€excluding€himself€and€other€similarlyÐ °3// Ðsituated€physician€providers,€was€taken€at€meetings€without€the€required€publicÏnotice.€€Souder€alleges€that€all€actions€taken€by€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€are€voidÏand€of€no€effect€since€none€of€its€meetings€have€been€open€to€the€public€pursuant€toÏthe€Act.Ìà ` àHP€filed€a€motion€to€compel€Souder€to€submit€the€case€to€arbitration€asÏrequired€by€the€PPA.€€This€motion€and€a€subsequent€motion€to€reconsider€wereÏdenied€by€the€Chancellor.€€After€HPððs€answer€was€filed,€Souder€filed€a€motion€forÏjudgment€on€the€pleadings€with€regard€to€the€applicability€of€the€Act€to€HP€and€theÏpossible€violations€of€the€Act€by€HP.€€€€Ìà ` àThe€Chancellor€granted€Souderððs€motion.€€The€Chancellor€concluded€that€HPÏwas€subject€to€the€coverage€and€requirements€of€the€Act€because€of€its€status€as€aÏgovernmental€instrumentality€according€to€its€charter,€and€because€of€its€status€as€aÏsubsidiary€entity€of€the€District€according€to€Chapter€165€of€the€Private€Acts€of€1992Ïof€the€Tennessee€General€Assembly.€€Furthermore,€the€Chancellor€concluded€that€HPÏhad€committed€numerous€violations€of€the€Act€in€that€it€has€never€published€orÏpublicized€any€public€notice€of€the€meetings€of€its€Board€of€Directors.€€Finding€such,Ïthe€Chancellor€declared,€as€required€by€statute,€all€actions€of€HPððs€Board€of€DirectorsÏvoid€and€of€no€effect.€€Thus,€the€action€of€HPððs€Board€of€Directors€in€terminatingÏSouderððs€contract€was€declared€void€and€of€no€effect,€and€the€Chancellor€declared€theÏPPA€between€Souder€and€HP€still€in€effect.€€In€addition,€the€Chancellor€issued€anÏinjunction€enjoining€HP€from€further€violations€of€the€Act.׃×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð °,(( Ðà ` àHP€perfected€the€present€appeal,€and€presents€the€following€issues,€as€statedÐ °.** Ðin€its€brief,€for€our€review:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à1.€€Whether€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€to€fail€toÏcompel€the€Plaintiff€to€submit€his€claim€against€theÏDefendant€to€arbitration.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à2.€€Whether€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€to€grantÏthe€Plaintiff€a€judgment€on€the€pleadings€on€theÏapplicability€of€the€Open€Meetings€Act.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à3.€€Whether€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€to€findÏthat€the€Open€Meetings€Act€applied€to€Health€Partners.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à4.€€Whether€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€to€findÏthat€the€termination€of€the€Plaintiffððs€contract€withÏHealth€Partners€was€an€action€of€Health€Partnersðð€BoardÏof€Directors.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à5.€€Whether€it€was€error€for€the€chancery€court€not€to€findÏthat€any€violation€of€the€Open€Meetings€Act€that€mightÏhave€occurred€was€cured€by€action€of€the€Board€ofÏTrustees€of€the€District.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à6.€€Whether€the€scope€of€the€injunction€entered€by€theÏchancery€court€is€impermissibly€broad.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÓ  ÓÌò òStandard€of€ReviewÐ ° Ðó óÌÓØ ÓÓÓà ` àIt€appears€from€an€examination€of€the€Chancellorððs€Conclusions€of€Law,€thatÏhe€relied€on€matters€outside€the€pleadings.€€ð ðWhen€matters€outside€the€pleadings€areÏpresented€to€and€considered€by€the€court,€the€motion€is€treated€as€a€motion€forÏsummary€judgment€under€Rule€56.€.€.€.ðð€€3€Nancy€F.€MacLean€and€Bradley€A.ÏMacLean,€òòò òTennessee€Practiceó óóó€ðð12.12,€p.€191€(2d€ed.€1989).€€Generally,€a€motion€forÐ ²($$ Ðsummary€judgment€allows€the€non„moving€party€time€to€present€a€defense,€Tenn.€R.ÏCiv.€P.€56.03,€but€HP€makes€no€complaint€that€it€was€denied€extra€time.€€Thus,ÏSouderððs€motion€will€be€treated€as€a€summary€judgment€motion.Ìà ` àÔ‡Xz©XXXz©ÔA€motion€for€summary€judgment€should€be€granted€when€the€movantÐ ¶0,, Ðdemonstrates€that€there€are€no€genuine€issues€of€material€fact€and€that€the€movingÏparty€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.04.€€The€partyÏmoving€for€summary€judgment€bears€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€no€genuineÏissue€of€material€fact€exists.€€ò òòòBain€v.€Wellsó óóó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€1997).€€OnÐ ¶844 Ða€motion€for€summary€judgment,€the€court€must€take€the€strongest€legitimate€viewÏof€the€evidence€in€favor€of€the€nonmoving€party,€allow€all€reasonable€inferences€inÏfavor€of€that€party,€and€discard€all€countervailing€evidence.€€òòò òId.ó óóó€€In€ò òòòByrd€v.€Halló óóó,€847Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€208€(Tenn.€1993),€our€Supreme€Court€stated:ÌÓÓà8 ` àOnce€it€is€shown€by€the€moving€party€that€there€is€no€genuine€issue€ofÏmaterial€fact,€the€nonmoving€party€must€then€demonstrate,€byÏaffidavits€or€discovery€materials,€that€there€is€a€genuine,€material€factÏdispute€to€warrant€a€trial.€€In€this€regard,€Rule€56.05€provides€that€theÏnonmoving€party€cannot€simply€rely€upon€his€pleadings€but€must€setÏforth€òòspecific€factsóó€showing€that€there€is€a€genuine€issue€of€material€factÐ ´  Ðfor€trial.Ô#‡ Xz©XXXz©è##ÔÔ‡Xz©XXXz©Ôà8` ü!` ü!à䤤 Ðò òòòÌÓÓId.ó óóó€at€211€(citations€omitted)€(emphasis€in€original).Ð ´ Ðà ` àSummary€judgment€is€only€appropriate€when€the€facts€and€the€legalÏconclusions€drawn€from€the€facts€reasonably€permit€only€one€conclusion.€€ò òòòCarvell€v.Ð ¸ ÐBottomsó óóó,€900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.€1995).€€Since€only€questions€of€law€are€involved,Ð ¼  Ðthere€is€no€presumption€of€correctness€regarding€a€trial€court's€grant€of€summaryÏjudgment.€€ò òòòBainó óóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€622.€€Therefore,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððs€grantÐ À Ðof€summary€judgment€is€ò òòòde€novoó óóó€on€the€record€before€this€Court.€€ò òòòWarren€v.€EstateÐ Ä  Ðof€Kirkó óóó,€954€S.W.2d€722,€723€(Tenn.€1997).Ô#‡ Xz©XXXz©2)#ÔÐ È" ÐÓ  Óà @` àò òArbitrationÐ Ì$  ÐÓ  Óà ` àó óHP€contends€that€the€Chancellor€erred€by€not€compelling€Souder€to€submitÐ Ð& "" Ðhis€claim€to€arbitration.€€HP€premises€this€contention€upon€a€provision€in€the€PPAÏwhich€provides€that€any€controversy,€dispute€or€disagreement€arising€out€of€orÏrelating€to€the€PPA€be€submitted€to€arbitration.€€HP€further€contends€that€such€aÏclause€mandating€arbitration€requires€this€Court€to€submit€a€dispute€over€theÏviolation€of€the€Act€to€arbitration.€€ÌÑ7€ü‹XXdðXXdð7Ñà ` àWe€note€that€Souderððs€complaint€does€not€present€issues€dealing€with€theÐ Ð2 .. Ðterms€and€provisions€of€his€contract€with€HP.€€To€the€contrary,€the€contention€in€hisÏcomplaint€is€that€HPððs€action€in€curtailing€the€provider€network€was€taken€inÏviolation€of€the€Act.€€Such€a€complaint€is€outside€of€the€ambit€of€Souderððs€contractÐ Ð8 44 Ðand€deals€with€an€extraneous€matter€that€is€not€properly€a€subject€for€arbitration.€€InÐ ° Ðò òòòCity€of€Blaine€v.€John€Coleman€Hays€&€Assoc.,€Inc.,ó óóó€818€S.W.2d€33€(Tenn.€App.Ð ° Ð1991),€this€Court€held€that€an€arbitration€clause€in€a€contract€was€not€applicable€inÏdetermining€whether€a€contracting€party€was€fraudulently€induced€to€enter€into€theÏcontract.€€We€determined€that€inducement€to€enter€into€the€contract€was€not€withinÏthe€purview€of€the€contract€itself.€€Therefore,€the€arbitration€clause€œwas€not›Ïapplicable.€€Although€the€case€at€bar€is€not€factually€the€same€as€ò òòòCity€of€Blaineó óóó,€weÐ ´  Ðdo€have€an€analogous€situation€in€that€Souderððs€complaint€deals€with€a€matter€thatÏis€not€within€the€purview€of€the€contract€but€rather€that€HPððs€manner€of€dealing€withÏthe€contract€was€illegal€because€of€the€violation€of€the€Act.€€The€trial€court€did€notÏerr€in€denying€HPððs€motion€to€submit€this€matter€to€arbitration.Ìà@ˆˆ"®àò òJudgment€on€the€PleadingsˆÐ ¸ Ðó óà ` àIn€the€second€issue€presented€to€this€Court,€HP€contends€that€it€was€error€forÐ ¼  Ðthe€Chancellor€to€grant€Souder€a€judgment€on€the€pleadings.€€As€we€explained€earlier,Ïthe€Chancellor€relied€on€matters€outside€the€pleadings.׃ ×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€This€reliance€converted€theÐ ¼  Ðmotion€for€judgment€on€the€pleadings€to€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€andÏrenders€HPððs€assertions€moot.Ìò òÓ  ÓOpen€Meetings€Actó ó€Ð ¼& "" ÐÓ²6Óà ` àIn€the€third€and€most€complex€issue,€HP€contends€that€the€Act€does€not€applyÏbecause€its€Board€of€Directors€is€not€a€ð ðgoverning€bodyðð€as€defined€by€statute€andÏcase€law.€€We€respectfully€disagree.Ìà ` àThe€legislature€has€declared€that€it€is€the€policy€of€this€state€that€ð ðtheÏformation€of€public€policy€and€decisions€is€public€business€and€shall€not€beÏconducted€in€secret.ðð€€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„101(a)€(1993).€€Public€knowledge€of€the€mannerÏin€which€government€decisions€are€made€by€public€officials€is€an€essential€element€ofÐ À400 Ða€democratic€government.€€òòò òMetropolitan€Air€Research€Testing€Auth.,€Inc.€(MARTA)Ð ° Ðv.€Metropolitan€Govððtó óóó,€842€S.W.2d€611,€616€(Tenn.€App.€1992).€€In€order€to€provideÐ ´ Ðopenness€in€government,€the€legislature€passed€the€Open€Meetings€Act.€€The€Act,€inÏpertinent€part,€provides:€€Ìòòò òÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àóóOpen€meetings€„€ð ðGoverning€bodyðð€defined€„Ð ¸  Ðð ðMeetingðð€defined.€„ó óк ¸ ¤¸ ¤ Ðà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(a)€All€meetings€of€any€governing€body€are€declared€to€beÏpublic€meetings€open€to€the€public€at€all€times,€except€asÏprovided€by€the€Constitution€of€Tennessee.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ Ðà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(b)(1)€"Governing€body"€means:Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ Ðà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(A)€The€members€of€any€public€body€which€consists€ofÏtwo€(2)€or€more€members,€with€the€authority€to€makeÏdecisions€for€or€recommendations€to€a€public€body€onÏpolicy€or€administration.€.€.€.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌT.C.A.€ðð€8„44„102€(1993€&€Supp.€1998).ÌÌÓÓà ` àThe€Act€is€remedial€in€nature.€€òòò òDorrier€v.€Darkó óóó,€537€S.W.2d€888,€891€(Tenn.Ð ¼  Ð1976);€òòò òMemphis€Publððg€Co.€v.€City€of€Memphisó óóó,€513€S.W.2d€511,€513€(Tenn.€1974).€Ð À Ðð ðIt€should,€therefore,€be€construed€broadly€to€promote€openness€and€accountabilityÏin€government,€.€.€.€and€to€protect€the€public€against€closed€door€meetings€at€everyÏstage€of€a€government€bodyððs€deliberation.ðð€€òòò òMARTAó óóó,€842€S.W.2d€at€616€(citationsÐ Ä! Ðomitted).€€Further,€ð ð[t]he€[A]ct€is€to€be€construed€most€favorably€to€the€public€andÏis€all€encompassing€and€applies€to€every€meeting€of€a€governing€body€except€whereÏthe€statute,€on€its€face,€excludes€its€application.ððòòò ò€€State€v.€Shelby€County€Bd.€ofÐ È'## ÐCommððrsó óóó,€1990€WL€29276,€at€*4€(Tenn.€App.€W.S.€March€21,€1990).€€To€that€end,Ð Ì)%% Ðthe€Act€requires€public€notice€of€all€regular€or€special€meetings€of€a€governmentalÏbody.€€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„103€(1993).€€Furthermore,€secret€votes€are€prohibited,€andÏminutes€of€the€meeting€are€required.€€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„104€(1993).€€In€the€event€thatÏthese€requirements€are€not€met,€ð ð[a]ny€action€taken€at€a€meeting€in€violation€of€thisÏpart€shall€be€void€and€of€no€effect.ðð€€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„105€(1993).Ìà ` àThe€issue€before€us€is€one€of€first€impression.€€The€term€ð ðpublic€bodyðð€as€usedÏin€the€above€statute,€was€not€defined.€€Therefore,€we€must€first€determine€whetherÏthe€General€Assembly€intended€that€a€PPOððs€board€of€directors€fall€within€theÐ Ð9 55 Ðcoverage€of€a€ð ðgoverning€body.ðð€€òòò òSee€Mid„South€Publððg€Co.€v.€Tennessee€State€Univ.Ð ° Ð&€Community€College€Sys.€Bd.€of€Regentsó óóó,€No.€01„A„01„9002CH00074,€1990€WLÐ ´ Ð207410€(Tenn.€App.€M.S.€Dec.€19,1990).€€à p àÐ ¸ Ðà ` àThe€groundwork€for€determining€what€constitutes€a€ð ðgoverning€bodyðð€for€theÏpurposes€of€the€Act€is€found€in€the€case€of€òòò òDorrier€v.€Darkó óóó,€537€S.W.2d€888€(Tenn.Ð ¸  Ð1976).€€James€Dark€was€a€teacher€with€the€Davidson€County€school€system€when€theÏlocal€school€board€brought€ð ðneglect€of€duty€and€conduct€unbecoming€a€teacherððÏcharges€against€him.€€After€a€hearing€in€front€of€the€Metropolitan€Board€ofÏEducation,€Dark€was€terminated.€€Dark€challenged€the€decision€in€court€andÏð ðasserted€that€the€Boardððs€action€was€void€because€it€was€ððformulatedðð€in€a€closedÏsession€in€violation€.€.€.€of€the€Open€Meetings€Act.ððòòò ò€€Id.ó óóó€at€889.€Ð ¼  Ðà ` àThe€Supreme€Court€discussed€the€Act€in€depth€and€attempted€to€clarify€T.C.A.Ïðð€8„44„102.€€After€careful€consideration,€the€court€concluded€that€the€term€ð ðpublicÏbodyðð€should€be€broadly€interpreted.€€The€Court€noted€that€the€term€ð ðpublic€bodyððÏas€used€in€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„102€was€not€an€uncertain€term.€€The€Court€stated:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àIt€is€clear€that€for€the€purpose€of€this€Act,€the€LegislatureÏintended€to€include€any€board,€commission,€committee,Ïagency,€authority€or€any€other€body,€by€whatever€name,Ïwhose€origin€and€authority€may€be€traced€to€State,€CityÏor€County€legislative€action€and€whose€members€haveÏauthority€to€make€decisions€or€recommendations€onÏpolicy€or€administration€affecting€the€conduct€of€theÏbusiness€of€the€people€in€the€governmental€sector.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌò òòòId.€óóó óat€892.Ð À+'' ÐÌÓÓà ` àWhile€òòò òDorrieró óóó€provides€insight€into€the€Act,€it€does€not€address€the€particularÐ Â-)) Ðissue€before€this€court.€€The€case€of€òòò òNorthwest€Georgia€Health€Sys.,€Inc.€v.€Times„Ð Æ/++ ÐJournal,€Inc.ó óóó,€461€S.E.2d€297€(Ga.€App.€1995)€is€instructive€on€this€issue.€€There,€theÐ Ê1-- ÐMarietta€Daily€Journal€filed€suit€alleging€that€the€Northwest€Georgia€Health€System,ÏInc.€and€Promina€Health€System,€Inc.€violated€the€Georgia€Open€Meetings€Act€byÏrefusing€to€hold€public€meetings.òòò ò€€Id.ó óóó€at€298.€€Ð Î733 Ðà ` àPromina€was€the€sole€member€of€Northwest€Georgia€Health€Systems.€Ð Ò9"55 ÐNorthwest€was€a€ð ðprivate,€nonprofit€Georgia€corporation€.€.€.€organized€ððfor€theÏbenefit€of,€to€perform€the€functions€of,€or€to€carry€out€the€purposes€ofðððð€several€localÏcounty€hospitals.€€Promina€characterized€itself€as€a€holding€company€and€parentÏcorporation€of€Northwest.€€Further,€Northwestððs€board€of€trustees€were€nominatedÏby€Northwestððs€board€and€approved€by€Prominaððs€board.€€Finally,€the€only€tax€dollarsÏNorthwest€received€were€county€funds€reimbursing€Northwest€for€providing€indigentÏcare.€€These€reimbursements€amounted€to€less€than€two€(2)€percent€of€NorthwestððsÏrevenues.€€òòò òId.ó óóó€at€298„99.€€€Ð ° Ðà ` àThe€Georgia€Court€of€Appeals€held€that€Northwest€was€a€public€agencyÏbecause€its€ð ðsubsidiary€hospital€corporations€contractually€agreed€to€operate€publicÏhospital€authority€assets€for€the€public€good€and€Northwestððs€statement€of€corporateÏpurpose€is€(in€part)€to€operate€those€assets€for€the€benefit€.€.€.€of€public€hospitalÏauthorities.ððòòò ò€€Id.ó óóó€at€300.€€Citing€the€Georgia€Supreme€Court,׃×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€court€of€appealsÐ ´ Ðstated€ð ðthat€an€entity€to€which€a€public€agency€had€delegated€its€officialÏresponsibilities€and€authority€was€the€vehicle€by€which€the€agency€carried€out€itsÏresponsibilities€and€.€.€.€was€subject€to€the€Open€Meetings€Act.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€€Finally,€theÐ ¸" Ðcourt€concluded:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àWithout€question,€these€private,€nonprofit€corporationsÏbecame€the€vehicle€through€which€the€public€hospitalÏauthorities€carried€out€their€official€responsibilities.€ÏConsequently,€despite€the€private,€nonprofit€status€ofÏdefendants€Northwest€and€Promina€and€their€subsidiaryÏhospital€corporations,€the€trial€court€in€the€case€sub€judiceÏwas€authorized€to€conclude€on€the€facts€before€it€thatÏNorthwest€and€Promina,€as€vehicles€for€public€agencies,Ïwere€subject€to€the€[Open€Meetings]€Act.€.€.€.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌòòò òId.ó óóó€(citation€omitted).Ð ¼0 ,, ÐÐ ¾1-- ÐÓÓà ` àIn€addition€to€the€foregoing€case,€the€case€of€ò òòòFinister€v.€Humboldt€Gen.€Hosp.,Ð ° ÐInc.óóó ó,€970€S.W.2d€435€(Tenn.€1998)€provides€further€insight€into€the€issue€before€us.€Ð ´ ÐIn€òòò òFinisteró óóó,€Mary€Finister€filed€suit€seeking€workersðð€compensation€benefits€fromÐ ¸ ÐHumboldt€General.€€€Humboldt€General€claimed€immunity€under€the€TennesseeÏWorkersðð€Compensation€Act,€T.C.A.€ðð€50„6„106(5),€which€states:€ð ð[t]he€WorkersððÏCompensation€Act€shall€not€apply€to€.€.€.€[t]he€state€of€Tennessee,€counties€thereofÏand€municipal€corporations.ððÌà ` àHumboldt€General€and€HP€occupy€identical€positions€in€relation€to€theÏDistrict.€€Humboldt€General,€like€HP,€is€a€creation€of€the€Jackson„Madison€CountyÏHospital€District.€€It€was€organized€in€1991,€and€the€District€is€its€sole€member.€€InÏdefense€to€Finisterððs€workersðð€compensation€claim,€Humboldt€General€ð ðargued€thatÏit€is€a€subsidiary€of€the€exempt€Hospital€District€and€as€a€result,€it€is€also€exemptÏfrom€the€Workers€[sic]€Compensation€Laws.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€at€437.€€Finister€argued€œthatÐ ¼  Ðneither›€the€District€nor€Humboldt€General€were€exempt.€€Ìà ` àThe€Court€determined€that€the€District€was€not€covered€by€the€WorkersððÏCompensation€Act.€€Relying€on€òòò òJohnson€v.€Chattanooga„Hamilton€County€Hosp.Ð À" ÐAuth.ó óóó,€749€S.W.2d€36€(Tenn.€1988),€the€Court€found€that€ð ða€legislatively€createdÐ Ä$  Ðnon„profit€Hospital€District€which€acts€on€behalf€of€a€governmental€entity€and€whichÏperforms€a€governmental€function€is€a€ððmunicipal€corporationðð€within€the€meaningÏof€the€statutory€exemption€provision.ðð€€òòò òFinisteró óóó,€970€S.W.2d€at€438.€€The€CourtÐ È*&& Ðfound€that€the€District€intended€to€and€does€€ð ðact€on€behalf€of€and€for€the€benefit€ofÏMadison€County€and€the€City€of€Jackson.ðð€€The€Court€held€that€the€District€was€aÏmunicipal€corporation€and€exempt€from€workersðð€compensation€under€the€statute.€Ïòòò òId.€ó óóóat€439òòò ò.ó óóó€€The€Court€concluded€that€a€subsidiary€of€a€municipal€corporation€is,€inÐ Ì2.. Ðessence,€ð ða€division€or€department€of€the€State€or€county€or€municipal€corporation,ððÏand€the€statutory€exemption€applied€to€such€divisions€and€departments.€€òòò òIdó óóó.€€€€SeveralÐ Ð6 22 Ðfactors€convinced€the€Court€that€Humboldt€General€was,€in€fact,€a€subsidiary€of€theÐ Ô8$44 ÐDistrict.€€First,€the€Court€noted€that€the€District€organized€Humboldt€General€as€aÏnon„profit,€public€benefit€corporation.€€Second,€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€HumboldtÏGeneral€and€the€District€were€identical.€€Third,€the€board€members€received€noÏcompensation€and€were€selected€by€county€and€city€officials.€€Fourth,€none€ofÏHumboldt€Generalððs€net€earnings€were€distributed€to€any€private€person€or€entity.€ÏFifth,€upon€dissolution,€the€District€would€receive€any€net€assets.€€In€addition€to€theÏforegoing,€the€Court€found€two€factors€very€persuasive.€€Ô‡Xz©XXXz©ÔFirst,€the€Tennessee€GeneralÐ °  ÐAssembly€has€provided:ÌÔ#‡ Xz©XXXz©šb#ÔÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àThe€mission€and€purpose€of€the€Jackson„Madison€CountyÐ ° ÐGeneral€Hospital€District€shall€be€for€the€benefit€of€theÏCity€of€Jackson,€Tennessee€and€Madison€County,ÏTennessee,€to€provide,€on€a€fee„for„service€basis€with€dueÏregard€for€the€needs€of€low„income€and€indigent€patients,Ïthe€full€range€of€health€care.€.€.€.€€òòò òEach€nonprofitÐ ° Ðcorporation€of€which€such€hospital€district€is€the€soleÏmember€existing€when€this€amendment€becomes€law€orÏthereafter€created,€shall€be€deemed€a€subsidiary€entity€ofÏsuch€hospital€district€created€by€this€act€óóó óand€shall€be€aÐ ² Ðgovernmental€entity€for€purposes€of€the€TennesseeÏGovernmental€Tort€Liability€Act.€.€.€.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌÓÓChapter€165,€Private€Acts€of€1992€€(emphasis€added).€€Secondly,€HumboldtÏGeneralððs€corporate€charter€empowers€it€to:€ð ðfurnish€affordable€and€more€accessibleÏhealth€care€and€services€to€the€citizens€of€the€City€of€Jackson€and€Madison€CountyÏas€ðða€governmental€instrumentality€for€the€exclusive€benefit€of€the€Jackson„MadisonÏCounty€Hospital€District.ðððð€ò òòòFinister,ó óóó€970€S.W.2d€at€439„40.Ð ´)%% Ðà ` àò òòòFinisteró óóó€was€concerned€with€the€application€of€the€workersðð€compensation€lawÐ ¸+'' Ðand€the€exemption€afforded€to,€among€others,€municipal€corporations.€€However,€weÏbelieve€that€if€the€District€is€a€municipal€corporation€for€the€purposes€of€the€workersððÏcompensation€law,€it€is€also€a€municipal€corporation€and€a€public€body€as€referred€toÏin€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„102€œ(1993›€&€Supp.€1998).€€Furthermore,€the€similarities€of€HP€inÏthe€instant€case€and€Humboldt€General€in€the€ò òòòFinisteró óóó€case€are€readily€apparent.€€HPÐ ¼5 11 Ðis€a€nonprofit€corporation€with€the€District€as€its€only€member,€and€is€deemed€aÏsubsidiary€entity€of€the€District€by€Chapter€165,€Private€Acts€1992.€€The€corporateÐ À955 Ðcharter€of€HP€clearly€states€that€it€was€created€as€ð ða€government€instrumentality€ofÏthe€Jackson„Madison€County€General€Hospital€District.ðð€€HPððs€existence€is€premisedÏon€the€idea€that€it€will€further€ð ðthe€statutory€mission€of€the€[District]€to€make€qualityÏhealth€care€available€to€the€public€at€reasonable€costs.ðð€Ìà ` àOther€factors€are€also€pertinent.€€HP€commingled€funds€with€the€District,€andÏHP€even€allowed€its€funds€and€bookkeeping€to€be€handled€by€the€accountingÏdepartment€of€the€District.€€HP€funds€were€deposited€and€invested€in€the€sameÏmanner€as€funds€of€the€District.€€Furthermore,€the€District€appointed€the€membersÏof€HPððs€Board,€and€these€members€received€no€compensation.€€Finally,€in€or€aroundÏ1992,€the€District€gave€HP€$400,000€in€seed€capital€and€extended€a€$500,000€lineÏof€credit.Ìà ` àAfter€examining€all€the€relevant€factors,€we€find€that€HP€is€a€subsidiary€of€theÏDistrict.€€A€subsidiary€of€an€exempt€municipal€corporation€like€the€District€isÏð ðcomparable€to€a€division€or€department€of€the€State€or€county.ðð€€òòò òSee€Finisteró óóó,€970Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€at€439.€€We€agree€with€the€Georgia€Court€of€Appeals€reasoning€in€òòò òTimes„Ð ´  ÐJournaló óóó€and€hold€that€subsidiaries€to€which€municipal€corporations€have€delegatedÐ ¸" Ðtheir€official€responsibilities€and€authority€are€subject€to€the€Open€Meetings€Act.€€òòò òSeeÐ ¼$  ÐNorthwest€Georgia€Health€Sys.€v.€Times„Journal,€Inc.ó óóó,€461€S.E.2d€297€(Ga.€App.Ð À&"" Ð1995).€€With€the€foregoing,€we€conclude€that€HP€is€subject€to€the€provisions€andÏrequirements€of€the€Act,€and€the€meeting€of€its€governing€body€are€public€meetings.€ÏT.C.A.€ðð€8„44„102€(1993€&€Supp.€1998).Ìò òÓ  ÓDecision€of€the€Board€of€Directors€or€of€ManagementÐ Ä.** Ðó óÓéqÓà ` àNext,€HP€asserts€that€even€if€the€Act€is€applicable,€Souder€cannot€claim€thatÐ È0,, Ðthe€PPA€was€terminated€in€violation€of€the€Act€because€the€actual€decision€toÏterminate€the€PPA€was€independently€made€by€HPððs€management,€not€its€Board€ofÏDirectors.€€HP€contends€that€the€PPA€contained€a€provision€that€allowed€either€partyÏto€terminate€the€agreement€with€or€without€cause,€and€that€such€provision€wasÐ È844 Ðexercised€by€HPððs€management€in€a€letter€to€Souder€dated€January€31,€1997Ïnotifying€him€that€the€PPA€was€terminated€pursuant€to€the€provision€in€the€PPAÏallowing€such.€€Ìà ` àHPððs€contention€that€this€was€a€management€decision€is€without€merit.€€FromÏthe€facts€in€the€record,€it€is€obvious€that€the€decision€to€limit€the€network€therebyÏterminating€Souderððs€PPA,€in€addition€to€the€contracts€of€other€physicians,€was€madeÏby€HPððs€Board€of€Directors.€€In€the€letter€sent€to€Souder€from€HP€dated€NovemberÏ26,€1996,€it€is€stated€that€ð ð[t]he€board€of€directors€of€Health€Partners€recentlyÏapproved€actions€which€offer€an€exclusive€provider€relationship€to€the€WestÏTennessee€Alliance€for€Healthcare.ðð€€The€letter€continues€by€stating€that€ð ð[b]ecauseÏof€the€above€described€decision,€we€are€hereby€notifying€you€that€your€existingÏcontract€with€Health€Partners€will€not€be€renewed.ðð€€This€letter€refers€to€action€takenÏby€the€Board€of€Directors€through€a€written€consent€resolution€to€limit€HPððsÏnetwork.€€Furthermore,€on€January€9,€1997,€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€adoptedÏa€resolution€in€which€it€restated€the€above€policy€of€limiting€HPððs€network€inÏMadison€County.€€In€addition€to€the€November€26,€1996€letter€and€the€January€9,Ï1997€resolution,€an€affidavit,€of€Michael€Grafton,€Vice€President€for€Fiscal€AffairsÏand€Chief€Financial€Officer€of€the€District,€stated€that€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HPÏmade€œthe€decision›€to€limit€its€network.€€Ìà ` àIn€consideration€of€the€foregoing€items,€it€appears€to€this€Court€that€theÏdecision€to€limit€HPððs€network€thereby€requiring€the€termination€of€Souderððs€PPAÏwas€made€by€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP.€€The€contention€of€HP€that€this€was€aÏmanagement€decision€is€untenable€in€the€face€of€the€facts€presented.€€Thus,€we€agreeÏwith€the€Chancellor€in€his€conclusion€that€the€ð ðactions€referenced€in€the€January€31,Ï1997€letter€.€.€.€make€it€clear€that€the€termination€of€the€physician€participationÏagreement€was€entirely€consistent€with,€and€was€required€by,€the€action€of€the€boardÏof€directors€of€Health€Partners,€Inc.ððÐ °844 Ðò òÓ  ÓRatificationó óÐ ° ÐÓt|ÓÓ  Óà ` àHP€further€asserts€that€if€it€is€subject€to€the€Act€and€that€the€action€of€theÏBoard€of€Directors€resulted€in€the€termination€of€Souderððs€PPA,€Souder€has€noÏbasis€for€relief€because€any€violation€of€the€Act€has€been€cured€by€the€subsequentÏratification€of€all€actions€of€HPððs€Board€of€Directors€by€the€Board€of€Trustees€ofÏthe€District€in€a€meeting€held€in€compliance€with€the€Act.Ìà ` àAs€previously€stated,€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„105€provides€that€ð ð[a]ny€action€takenÏat€a€meeting€in€violation€of€[the€Act]€shall€be€void€and€of€no€effect.ðð€€However,€itÏwas€not€the€intent€of€the€legislature€to€forever€bar€a€governing€body€from€ratifyingÏa€prior€decision€made€in€violation€of€the€Act.€€ò òòòNeese€v.€Paris€Special€Sch.€Dist.óóó ó,Ð ´ Ð813€S.W.2d€432,€436€(Tenn.€App.€1990).€€On€the€other€hand,€it€was€not€theÏintent€of€the€legislature€to€allow€a€governing€body€to€ratify€a€decision€in€aÏsubsequent€meeting€by€a€ð ðperfunctory€crystallizationðð€of€its€previous€action.€€òòò òId.ó óóó€Ð ¸ ÐRather,€ð ðthe€purpose€of€the€act€is€satisfied€if€the€ultimate€decision€is€made€inÏaccordance€with€the€[Act],€and€if€it€is€a€new€and€substantial€reconsideration€of€theÏissues€involved,€in€which€the€public€is€afforded€ample€opportunity€to€know€theÏfacts€and€to€be€heard€with€reference€to€the€matters€at€issue.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóóÐ ¼$  Ðà ` àConceding€that€the€action€of€the€Board€of€Directors€could€have€beenÏratified€through€the€subsequent€action€of€the€Board€of€Trustees,€Souder€assertsÏthat€the€July€29,€1997€meeting€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€failed€toÏcure€any€previous€violation€of€the€Act€in€that€notice€of€the€meeting€was€not€inÏcompliance€with€the€provisions€of€the€Act.€€Souder€contends€that€the€notice€failedÏto€mention€any€content€of€the€meeting€and€failed€to€give€the€public€any€notice€ofÏwhat€issues€would€be€discussed€at€such€meeting.€€Thus,€since€notice€of€theÏmeeting€was€defective,€the€action€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€failed€to€comply€withÏthe€Act€thereby€rendering€such€action€void€and€of€no€effect.Ìà ` àT.C.A.€ðð€8„44„103€provides€that€ð ðadequate€public€noticeðð€must€be€given€ofÐ À844 Ðmeetings€by€the€governmental€body€holding€such€meetings€be€it€a€regular€orÏspecial€meeting.€€In€considering€the€phrase€ð ðadequate€public€notice,ðð€theÏTennessee€Supreme€Court€has€observed:ÌÓÓÓ  Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!àWe€think€it€is€impossible€to€formulate€a€general€rule€inÏregard€to€what€the€phrase€ð ðadequate€public€noticeððÏmeans.€€However,€.€.€.€adequate€public€notice€meansÏadequate€public€notice€under€the€circumstances,€or€suchÏnotice€based€on€the€totality€of€the€circumstances€as€wouldÏfairly€inform€the€public.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌÓÓòòò òMemphis€Publððg€Co.€v.€City€of€Memphisó óóó,€513€S.W.2d€511,€513€(Tenn.€1974).Ð °  ÐThus,€the€circumstances€of€each€case€must€be€taken€into€account€in€order€toÏdetermine€the€adequacy€of€the€notice€given.Ìà ` àAccording€to€the€facts€as€presented€in€the€record,€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€theÏDistrict€held€a€meeting€on€July€29,€1997,€in€which€the€Board€of€Trustees€amendedÏthe€charter€of€HP€making€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€the€Board€of€TrusteesÏof€€HP.€€Furthermore,€the€Board€of€Trustees€ratified€and€confirmed€all€actions€of€theÏprevious€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€and€the€management€of€HP€ð ðincluding€withoutÏlimitation€the€letting€and€termination€of€contracts€of€all€kinds.ðð€€The€Board€ofÏTrustees€announced€this€meeting€to€the€public€by€mailing€notice€of€the€meeting€toÏthe€local€newspaper,€local€radio€stations,€and€the€local€television€stationÏapproximately€eight€days€before€the€meeting€was€held.€€According€to€Souderððs€brief,Ïthe€notice€of€the€meeting,€which€Souder€contends€does€not€constitute€adequateÏpublic€notice,€stated,€ð ð[t]he€board€of€trustees€of€West€Tennessee€Healthcare€willÏmeet€in€the€city„county€conference€of€Jackson„Madison€County€General€Hospital€atÏ5:00€p.m.€on€Tuesday,€___________.ðð׃ ×Ý ƒ##ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р´/++ Ðà ` àWhile€the€Act€requires€all€meetings€of€entities€subject€to€the€Act€be€open€toÏthe€public,€it€does€not€guarantee€all€citizens€the€right€to€participate€in€the€meetings.€Ïò òòòWhittemore€v.€Brentwood€Planning€Commððnó óóó,€835€S.W.2d€11,€18€(Tenn.€App.€1992).ÓÓÐ ´511 Їà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à[T]he€notice€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€8„44„103€isÏsufficient€as€long€as€it€gives€interested€citizens€aÏreasonable€opportunity€to€exercise€their€right€to€beÏpresent€at€a€governing€bodyððs€meeting.€€The€notice€needÏnot€invite€public€participation€in€a€public€meeting€inÏorder€to€satisfy€the€[Actððs]€requirements.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌòòò òÓÓState€ex€rel.€Akin€v.€Town€of€Kingston€Springsó óóó,€No.€01„A„01„9209„CH00360,€1993Ð °  ÐWL€339305,€at€*5€(Tenn.€App.€M.S.€Sept.€8,€1993).Ìà ` àIn€view€of€the€totality€of€the€circumstances,€the€notice€of€the€meetingÏcomports€with€the€provisions€of€the€Act.€€Notice€was€given€to€the€media€in€order€toÏnotify€the€public€of€the€meeting.€€The€notice€provided€the€public€with€a€reasonableÏopportunity€to€be€present€at€the€meeting.€€In€fact,€according€to€the€minutes€of€theÏmeeting,€members€of€the€media€and€the€public€were€in€attendance€at€the€meeting.€ÏFurthermore,€while€Souder€protests€the€contents€of€the€notice€in€not€referring€to€theÏproposed€action€of€limiting€the€physician€network,€the€meeting€was€not€limited€toÏthis€sole€subject.€€The€agenda€of€the€meeting€presented€several€different€areasÏregarding€the€business€of€the€District.€€Thus,€failing€to€specifically€state€in€the€noticeÏthe€issue€concerning€HP€did€not€make€the€notice€inadequate€in€light€of€the€severalÏpurposes€of€the€meeting.€€We€are€of€the€opinion€that€notice€was€given€which€ð ðwouldÏfairly€inform€the€publicðð€under€the€circumstances.ÌÓ'X†Xu”X°œX'Óà ` àWhile€the€notice€may€comport€with€the€Act,€we€find€that€the€ratification€andÏconfirmation€of€all€actions€of€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€by€the€Board€of€TrusteesÏof€the€District€was€merely€a€perfunctory€rubber€stamp€thereby€failing€to€cure€theÏprevious€violations€of€the€Act.€€According€to€the€minutes€of€the€July€29,€1997Ïmeeting,€the€only€resolution€pertaining€to€HP€that€was€raised€during€the€meeting€inÏdiscussion€was€the€establishment€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€of€the€District€as€theÏBoard€for€HP.€€The€minutes€state€that€ð ðMr.€Moss€explained€to€the€Board€the€purposeÏof€reorganizing€Health€Partners€which€will€establish€the€Districtððs€Board€of€TrusteesÏas€the€Board€for€Health€Partners€as€outlined€in€the€resolution€presented.€€Dr.€NewellÏmade€a€motion€to€approve,€seconded€by€Mr.€Mansfield€and€the€Board€unanimouslyÐ ´955 Ðapproved.ðð€€Ìà ` àThere€was€no€discussion€by€the€Board€of€Trustees€pertaining€to€the€limitationÏof€HPððs€physician€network€previously€adopted€by€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP.€€AsÏpreviously€stated,€the€adopted€resolution€of€the€Board€of€Trustees€merely€states€thatÏall€actions€of€the€Board€of€Directors€of€HP€are€ratified€and€confirmed€including€theÏtermination€of€all€contracts.€€Since€there€was€no€discussion€of€the€matter€of€limitingÏthe€network€and€the€only€mention€of€such€is€the€adopted€resolution€of€which€thereÏis€no€evidence€of€any€discussion€on€the€matter,€the€action€of€the€Board€of€TrusteesÏis€merely€a€ð ðperfunctory€crystallizationðð€of€the€decision€made€by€the€Board€ofÏDirectors.€Ìà ` àIn€that€the€Board€of€Trustees€failed€to€give€ð ðnew€and€substantialÏreconsiderationðð€of€the€actions€taken€by€the€Board€of€Directors,€the€action€of€theÏBoard€of€Trustees€was€a€subterfuge€and€nothing€more€than€a€mere€ratification€of€theÏprevious€actions€taken€in€contravention€of€the€Act.€€As€such,€the€actions€of€the€BoardÏof€Trustees€did€not€cure€the€previous€violations€of€the€Act€by€the€Board€of€Directors.€ÏTherefore,€the€action€by€the€Board€of€Directors€is€void€and€of€no€effect€and€remainsÏsuch€since€it€was€not€cured€by€the€actions€of€the€Board€of€Trustees.Ìò òÓ  ÓInjunctionÐ °&"" Ðó óÓîœÓÓ  Óà ` àThe€Final€Judgment€and€Injunctionòòò ò€ó óóóof€the€Chancellor€provides€in€pertinentÐ ´($$ Ðpart:ÌÓÓÓ  Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à4.€€Prior€to€any€action€taken€by€the€current€board€ofÏHealth€Partners,€Inc.€against€the€contractual€interests€ofÏDr.€Souder€to€be€effective,€Health€Partners,€Inc.,€becauseÏof€its€history€of€ignoring€the€clear€requirements€of€theÏOpen€Meetings€Act,€must€establish,€to€the€satisfaction€ofÏthis€œññcññññCññourt,›€that€such€actions€were€taken€in€fullÏcompliance€with€the€requirements€of€the€Open€MeetingsÏAct.€€Until€such€a€determination€occurs,€all€preferredÏprovider€agreements€between€Health€Partners,€Inc.€andÏany€participating€provider€shall€remain€in€effect€until€theyÏexpire€by€operation€of€their€own€terms.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à5.€€This€Court€œññshall€ññretain›€jurisdiction€over€the€partiesÏhereto,€and€Health€Partners,€Inc.€shall€report€to€thisÐ ¸955 МññcññññCññourt›€in€writing€every€six€months€for€a€period€of€one€yearÏfrom€the€date€of€the€entry€of€this€Order€with€regard€to€theÏfact€of€its€compliance€of€the€Open€Meetings€Act.€.€.€.€ÏHealth€Partners,€Inc.€is€hereby€restrained€from€violatingÏany€of€the€requirements€of€the€Open€Meetings€Act.€.€.€.€Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÓÆÓÌÓÓà ` àHP€claims€that€the€injunction€is€impermissibly€broad€in€that€it€went€furtherÏthan€necessary€to€grant€Souder€relief,€the€only€plaintiff€before€the€court.€€HPÏcontends€that€the€Chancellor€overstepped€œhis€jurisdiction›€by€granting€such€aÏbroad€injunction€despite€the€fact€that€Souder€never€took€steps€to€have€the€caseÏcertified€as€a€class€action.€€Furthermore,€HP€asserts€that€there€is€nothing€in€theÏrecord€to€indicate€that€other€physicians€whose€PPAs€were€terminated€have€anyÏdesire€to€remain€members€of€HP.€€In€addition,€HP€contends€that€the€injunction€isÏinternally€inconsistent€in€that€it€declares€all€actions€ever€taken€by€HPððs€Board€ofÏDirectors€null€and€void€thereby€voiding€all€PPAs€entered€into€by€HP€whileÏsimultaneously€requiring€that€all€PPAs€remain€in€effect.Ìà ` àT.C.A.€ðð€8„44„106€provides€in€pertinent€part:ÌÓ  ÓÓÓà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(a)€The€circuit€courts,€chancery€courts,€and€other€courtsÏwhich€have€equity€jurisdiction,€have€jurisdiction€to€issueÏinjunctions,€impose€penalties,€and€otherwise€enforce€theÏpurposes€of€[the€Act]€upon€application€of€any€citizen€ofÏthis€state.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÓë¥ÓÓ  Ó*€*€*ÌÓ  Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(c)€The€court€shall€permanently€enjoin€any€personÏadjudged€by€it€in€violation€of€[the€Act]€from€furtherÏviolation€of€[the€Act].€€Each€separate€occurrence€of€suchÏmeetings€not€held€in€accordance€with€this€part€constitutesÏa€separate€violation.Ð ¸ ¤¸ ¤ ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` ü!` ü!à(d)€The€final€judgment€or€decree€in€each€suit€shall€stateÏthat€the€court€retains€jurisdiction€over€the€parties€andÏsubject€matter€for€a€period€of€one€(1)€year€from€date€ofÏentry,€and€the€court€shall€order€the€defendants€to€reportÏin€writing€semiannually€to€the€court€of€their€complianceÏwith€[the€Act].ÓÓÐ ¸ ¤¸ ¤ Ðà ` àWe€agree€with€the€Chancellor€in€Paragraph€5€of€the€above„quoted€portion€ofÏthe€injunction.€€This€section€is€in€keeping€with€the€provisions€of€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„¼106(c)„(d).€€On€the€other€hand,€Paragraph€4€of€the€above„quoted€portion€is€undulyÏbroad€in€its€reach.€€Souder€was€the€only€plaintiff€before€the€Chancellor.€€As€such,€theÐ °955 Ðinjunction€affecting€all€preferred€provider€agreements€is€impermissibly€broad€becauseÏit€goes€well€beyond€what€is€necessary€to€afford€Souder€relief€as€the€only€plaintiffÏinvolved€in€the€lawsuit.€€Furthermore,€Paragraph€4€is€questionable€in€that€it€statesÏthat€ð ð[p]rior€to€any€action€taken€.€.€.€Health€Partners,€Inc.€.€.€.€must€establish€.€.€.€thatÏsuch€actions€were€taken€in€full€complianceðð€with€the€Act.€€This€paragraph€isÏunworkable€and€unnecessary.€€Paragraph€5€provides€the€proper€mechanism€forÏassuring€compliance€with€the€Act€in€the€form€of€a€contempt€action€if€the€Act€isÏviolated€by€HP€in€the€future.Ìà ` àWe€construe€the€judgment€to€permanently€enjoin€HP€from€further€violationsÏof€the€Act€as€required€by€T.C.A.€ðð€8„44„106(c).€€Therefore,€the€judgment€shall€beÏmodified€to€eliminate€Paragraph€4.€€Thus,€HP€is€enjoined€from€violating€any€of€theÏrequirements€of€the€Act€and€shall€report€to€the€Chancellor€as€provided€for€inÏParagraph€5.Ìò òÓ  ÓConclusionÐ ° Ðó óÓ0¯ÓÓ  Óà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Chancellor,€as€modified€in€regard€to€the€injunction,€is€Ð ´  ÐaffirmedÔ‡Xz©XXXz©Ô,€and€the€case€is€remanded€for€such€further€proceedings€as€necessary.€Ð ´" ÐCosts€of€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€appellants.Ô#‡ Xz©XXXz©ï¯#Ô€òòò ò€œóóó óÐ ´$  Ðññ›ññÓÓÔ‡Xz©XXXz©Ôà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà u àà  àà p à_________________________________Ð ¸&"" Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà u àà  àà p àò òW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€Ð ¸'## Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà u àà  àà p àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.ó óÔ#‡ Xz©XXXz©±#ÔÐ º( $$ Ðò òCONCUR:Ð ¼) %% ÐÌññññÓÓññññÔ‡Xz©XXXz©Ô____________________________________Ð À+'' ÐALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGEó óÔ#‡ Xz©XXXz©³#Ôññ›ññññÐ Â,(( Ðññññ›ññññÌññññ›ññññ____________________________________Ìññññññhññññññò òññññHERSCHEL€P.€FRANKS,€JUDGEññññó óññ›œÔ†ÿÿÔÔ†ÿÿÔÔ  ÔÔ  Ôñ1ñ