Snoqualmie council votes to excuse three members, moves into executive session on potential litigation

The Snoqualmie City Council on its March meeting unanimously moved to excuse three council members and approved an agenda that included an executive session to consult with legal counsel about potential litigation under state law.

Mayor Ross said the council would hold the executive session “pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to potential litigation,” and estimated it would last about 45 minutes. He said no action was anticipated following the session.

The council first voted to excuse Council members Holloway, Washington and Johnson. Council member Wotton moved the motion, and Council member Cotton seconded; the motion carried with all members present voting in favor, and the three absent members were excused. The council then voted to approve the meeting agenda, including the scheduled executive session; that motion was also moved by Council member Wotton and seconded by Council member Cotton and passed unanimously.

Mayor Ross said the executive session would include the citys legal team and senior staff. He named City Attorney Dina Burke, City Administrator Mike Chambliss, Finance Director Drew Boutte and Interim Chief Gary Hiracy as attendees, along with the mayor and council members. Ross said the live recording would stop for the closed session and that the public meeting recording would be posted later on the citys YouTube channel. He indicated the session would begin at about 4:08 p.m. and end by about 4:45 p.m.

No public discussion or substantive debate on the litigation matter was recorded in the open session. The council did not indicate any formal action would be taken immediately following the executive session.

The meeting began on the citys Zoom platform and the clerk called the roll before the votes to excuse members and approve the agenda.