Mayor Hughes called the City of Plattsburgh Common Council to order at 5:05 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2025 for the city's organizational meeting and the council voted to adopt routine organizational resolutions and to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The council adopted its 2025 schedule of regular meetings, designating the first and third Thursdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers (with a second session location listed as the mayor's office when applicable). The council also approved the city's investment policy for 2025, designated the Press-Republican as the city's official newspaper, named Community Bank (Margaret Street branch) as an official depository, adopted the council rules for 2025 and set blanket bond limits for covered employees and the city chamberlain as recorded in the meeting.

Council members nominated and approved internal leadership appointments for the year. Councilor Gibbs nominated Councilor Bohn as mayor pro tem; the nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. Councilor Bahr nominated Councilor Colleen for clerk of the common council; that nomination was seconded and approved. The council also approved the appointment of a fair housing officer and confirmed council liaisons and periodic public meeting arrangements reported on the agenda.

Early in the meeting the council moved into an executive session "for personnel and employment matters," described on the record as discussion of the "particular characteristics or fitness of a particular individual." The motion to enter executive session carried. After the executive session, the council reported that no formal personnel action was taken at that time. Council members said staff would return with a resolution on manager compensation the following week and indicated any adjustment would be made retroactive to Jan. 1 if adopted.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel and employment matters: moved and seconded on the record; outcome: approved (entered executive session); no formal personnel action taken following the session, staff to return with a resolution on manager compensation the next week (per council comments).
- Nomination and election of Mayor Pro Tem (Councilor Bohn): moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded (Councilor Town recorded as second elsewhere on the roll); outcome: approved.
- Nomination and election of Clerk of the Common Council (Councilor Colleen): moved by Councilor Bahr, seconded by Councilor Gibbs; outcome: approved.
- Designation of Press-Republican as official newspaper: moved by Councilor Gibbs; outcome: approved.
- Designation of Community Bank, Margaret Street Branch, as official depository: moved by Councilor Good, seconded by Councilor Bowne; outcome: approved.
- Adoption of 2025 investment policy: moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded by Councilor Minnette; outcome: approved.
- Adoption of council rules for 2025: moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded by Councilor Coyle; outcome: approved.
- Establishment of blanket bond amounts for employees and the city chamberlain: moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded by Councilor Menachem; outcome: approved (amounts recorded in meeting minutes; transcript language unclear on exact figures).
- Fixing dates of regular meetings (first and third Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.): moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded by Councilor Minnette; outcome: approved.
- Appointment of a fair housing officer: moved by Councilor Gibbs, seconded by Councilor Collin; outcome: approved.
- Motion to adjourn: moved by Councilor Killeen, seconded by Councilor Gibbs; outcome: approved.

The meeting included a roll call establishing a quorum: Mayor Hughes and Councilors Bohn, Gibbs, Town, Annette and Killeen were noted present at the start of the organizational meeting. Several motions were carried by unanimous voice vote as recorded on the agenda. Councilors also discussed scheduling a special meeting to finalize the personnel resolution referenced after the executive session.

The council did not adopt any ordinance or take final personnel action during this session; council members said a resolution on manager compensation would be prepared for the following week and, if adopted, would be retroactive to Jan. 1.

The organizational meeting concluded with the usual housekeeping items and adjournment.