Personnel committee tables City Manager Stockdale’s annual evaluation until May 8 after executive‑session dispute

The Umatilla Personnel Committee voted to table review and approval of City Manager Stockdale’s annual evaluation until Thursday, May 8 at 3 p.m., after members debated whether the evaluation must take place in executive session and sought legal clarification.

The decision came during a lengthy discussion about whether the evaluation could be discussed in open session without a written request from Stockdale. Staff reported that Stockdale had indicated a preference that the evaluation not be held in public session; committee members disagreed about whether the city needed a written request to move the matter to executive session.

Committee members asked the city attorney to clarify legal requirements. According to staff, the city attorney, Dave, told the committee that “there is no requirement to have anything from me in writing on requirements for the city to provide notice more than 24 hours in advance… He feels that we can proceed.” The committee nonetheless voted to postpone the item to allow staff to obtain formal clarification and, if necessary, a written acknowledgment from Stockdale.

Members referenced statutory criteria for executive session during the debate, noting the committee may consider personnel matters in closed session when appropriate. The committee discussed that executive sessions are generally used to consider employment, dismissal or complaints against public officers or employees, and that if a complaint were raised the matter could require closed deliberation.

After discussing availability for a new date and whether an executive session notice or written request from the manager existed, a committee member moved to table the item to Thursday, May 8 at 3 p.m. The motion passed and committee members directed staff to confirm attorney guidance on whether written consent or a specific notice period is required and to notify members of the rescheduled meeting. No final approval of the evaluation was made at the meeting.

Other routine items on the agenda were approved by the committee earlier in the meeting: the meeting agenda and the March 20 personnel committee minutes were approved by roll call prior to the evaluation discussion. The committee ended the meeting after the scheduling motion.