Source: https://apachejunctionindependent.com/news/executive-sessions-closed-door-meetings-keep-some-dealings-private/
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Executive sessions: Closed-door meetings keep some dealings private | Apache Junction Independent
Home Enewsletter Executive sessions: Closed-door meetings keep some dealings private
Executive sessions: Closed-door meetings keep some dealings private
May 26th, 2018 · by Richard H Dyer · Comments:
Apache Junction City Council members met six to 12 times in the last year in closed-door executive sessions, mostly for personnel matters, according to city records.
State law allows the meetings per Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03, which states, in part, that upon a public majority vote of the members constituting a quorum, a public body may hold an executive session. It goes on to list seven subsections detailing the types of meetings that may be held, according to https://www.azleg.gov.
The one most cited on council agendas is discussion or consultation for legal advice with the attorney or attorneys of the public body.
The last year’s executive session agendas are kept in a binder. They can be viewed for free or copied for 25 cents a page at the City Clerk’s Office, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Minutes are confidential and not allowed to be viewed by the public, but the topics are shown on agendas.
Each of the six executive-session agendas from the past year, May 1, 2017-May 1, 2018, allowed for an hour of meetings over two days, starting a 6 p.m., with a 7 p.m. meeting in general following.
discussion on personnel matters regarding performance evaluations and employment agreements for city manager, city attorney and presiding magistrate, May 1-2, May 15-16 and June 5-6, 2017.
discussion with the city attorney for legal advice regarding potential downtown development, July 17-18, 2017.
discussion with the city attorney for legal advice regarding downtown development, Oct. 2-3, 2017.
discussion with the city attorney on legal restrictions for placement of items on a city council agenda; and discussion on personnel matters regarding the performance evaluation of the city manager, March 19-20, 2018.
Council members and two city of Apache Junction employees can add items to an executive session agenda, City Attorney R. Joel Stern said in an e-mailed response to questions.
“General oral policy is that any council member can ask for an e-session, or the city manager or me, as long as the requirements/categories are met under the above-referenced statute,” he said of Arizona Revised Statutes § 38-431.03. “Also, Apache Junction City Code § 2-4-3 summarizes the categories appropriate for e-session.”
E-session agendas and notices are found under the agenda and minutes category of the city website www.ajcity.net. They are not placed on Legistar since they are not regular or special meetings, he said of https://apachejunction.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
The Superstition Fire and Medical District Governing Board can meet in executive sessions, Richard Ochs, assistant chief for emergency services and operations, said in an e-mailed response to questions.
By state statute, SFMD board members or the fire chief can call for an executive session agenda item for legal matters or personnel matters, he said.
“Meetings are taped and minutes are documented; however, they are confidential and not made available to the public,” he said.
“The board may vote to go into executive session pursuant to ARS §38-431.03(A)(1) for personnel matters; ARS §38-431.03(A)(3) for legal advice; and ARS §38-431.03(A)(4) to give instructions to legal counsel. Note: Executive sessions are confidential pursuant to ARS §38-431.03(C),” he said in the e-mail.
The district’s administrative offices are at 565 N. Idaho Road. For more information on the fire district, go to http://sfmd.az.gov.
The Superstition Mountains Community Facilities District No. 1 Governing Board holds executive sessions, Executive Assistant Kathy Huckfeldt said in an e-mailed response to questions.
“As a special district formed pursuant to Title 48, Chapter 4, Article 6 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the district may hold an executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03,” she said.
“Executive session minutes are recorded and stored confidentially pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03 (B),” she said.
For more information on the SMCFD, 5661 S Ironwood Drive, go to www.smcfd.org.
Editor Richard Dyer can be contacted at rdyer@newszap.com.
Executive sessions allowed under Arizona state law
State law allows executive session meetings per Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03. According to https://www.azleg.gov, it states: