Council holds closed executive session to evaluate applicants for public employment

The council convened a closed executive session on Sept. 8 to evaluate the qualifications of applicants for public employment under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g), the meeting facilitator said. The session began at 10:00 a.m., was scheduled for 125 minutes until 12:05 p.m., and was extended 10 minutes before the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Staff member, the meeting facilitator, told attendees, “The council will now convene an executive session to evaluate the qualifications of applicants for public employment per RCW 42 dot 30 dot 110 parents 1 parents G for 2125 minutes until, 12:05PM today,” and later announced the 10-minute extension that moved the public return time to 12:15 p.m.

The discussion occurred in executive session and no public motions or votes were recorded in the open meeting minutes; the facilitator later stated, “Our meeting is now concluded at 12:15 and, with no further business, this special meeting is now adjourned at 12:15.” Because the substantive evaluation took place in a closed session authorized by statute, the council did not disclose applicants’ identities or the content of the evaluation during the public portions recorded in the transcript.

The transcript cites RCW 42.30.110(1)(g), the provision of Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act that the facilitator referenced when moving into executive session. The public notice in the recorded remarks identified the statutory basis for closing the meeting but did not record any hiring decisions or assignments during the public portions of the meeting.

No formal actions, votes, or directions to staff were announced in the public record before adjournment.