Which item is essential for maintaining accountability and transparency during construction meetings?

Meeting minutes are vital for maintaining accountability and transparency during construction meetings because they serve as the official record of discussions, decisions made, and action items assigned during those meetings.

By documenting what was talked about, the decisions that were reached, and the responsibilities allocated to team members, meeting minutes ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there is a formalized record to refer back to. This record can help resolve disputes, track progress on tasks, and hold team members accountable for the commitments they made during the meeting.

In the context of a construction project, where multiple stakeholders are involved, the clarity provided by meeting minutes fosters trust and helps to keep the project organized, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring that everyone remains aligned with project goals.

While the other options like punch lists, change order requests, and proposal requests are important documents in the overall project management process, they do not specifically serve the purpose of documenting meeting discussions and maintaining ongoing accountability in the same direct manner that meeting minutes do.