At a VOCC work session July 31, participants voted to enter an executive session to receive legal advice and discuss negotiation strategy on several matters, including potential donations to a courthouse lighting ceremony; termination provisions of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the city regarding the regional building department; a mediation request from the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO); legal representation in Lucero v. IBPO (Denver District Court case number as stated in the meeting); and potential leases or purchase of property at 201 West Eighth Street and 4705 Santa Fe Drive in Colorado City.

The request to meet in closed session was made on the record under Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(b), which covers receiving legal advice on specific legal questions, and sections 24-6-402(4)(e) and 24-6-402(4)(a), which cover negotiations and discussion of the purchase, transfer or sale of property interests. "I'm requesting an executive session with the board for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under CR section 24 6 4 2 4 b and specific legal issues ... and to discuss the purchase acquisition, lease transfer, or sale of real personal or other property interest ... regarding 201 West Eighth Street and 4705 Santa Fe Drive in Colorado City," the county manager said on the record.

Nut graf: The commissioners voted to move into executive session to obtain privileged legal guidance and to develop negotiation strategy on several pending matters that involve potential financial commitments, contract termination language, a labor dispute involving the IBPO, and real property transactions. The meeting record shows the topics the group intended to address in closed session but does not include deliberations or outcomes from that closed session.

According to the public remarks before the vote, the matters listed for closed discussion were: potential donations tied to a courthouse lighting ceremony; termination and related provisions of the IGA with the city for the regional building department; the IBPO's request for mediation and legal representation related to Lucero v. IBPO (court reference read aloud in the meeting); and strategy regarding possible leases at two named Colorado City properties. The county manager also said the group planned to handle items they could in open session, pause for scheduled presentations beginning at 10:00 a.m., and then return to executive session.

A motion to enter executive session was made and approved by voice vote. On the record, participants said "All in favor, say aye." Multiple participants responded "Aye," and the presiding official announced the body was entering executive session. The meeting transcript does not record roll-call names or a roll-call vote tally for the motion.

Because executive sessions are statutorily limited to specific subject matter and are not a forum for public deliberation, the public transcript does not include the substance of the closed deliberations or any legal advice given there. The meeting record indicates the topics to be discussed in closed session but does not state any formal decisions made in that closed session.

Ending: Presentations scheduled for 10:00 a.m. were not delayed; the group planned to reconvene for presentations in open session and then return to executive session for the listed matters.