Portland council votes to enter executive session to discuss police department and expo buildings

The Portland City Council voted unanimously during a workshop meeting to enter an executive session to discuss the condition and use of the city’s police department and expo buildings, citing 1 M.R.S. §405(6)(C).

Corporation Counsel told the council the meeting’s purpose was “to discuss the condition and use of the, the police department, and expo buildings. Pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §405(6)(C), the council is allowed to go into executive session to discuss, the condition and use of real or personal property.”

The council’s decision followed a question from Councilor Phillips, who asked for clarification on the legal basis for holding an executive session. “I thought that this was only really justifiable if there was an active contract that we’re negotiating or if there is some personnel issue,” Phillips said. “I just would like a little bit more clarity about that.”

Corporation Counsel responded that an active contract is not required under the statute and that the discussion could include information — such as inspection findings, estimates of repair costs or assessments of value — that, if released, could prejudice the city’s competitive or bargaining position. “The discussion tonight has the potential to prejudice the city’s bargaining position,” counsel said, adding that information obtained from inspections would be kept confidential for that reason.

Before taking the vote, the mayor invited public comment; two attendees were listed but neither raised a hand to speak. The council then moved and seconded the motion and conducted a roll-call vote. The record shows the following votes in favor: Councilor Pelletier; Councilor Grant; Councilor Bullock; Councilor Fournier; Councilor McNevich; Councilor Sykes; Councilor Ali; Councilor Phillips; and Mayor Diane. The motion passed.

The council took the executive session under the cited statute and moved the meeting to a private platform, indicating the council would continue the workshop in closed session. No formal decisions about sale, repair, or contractor selection were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The public portion of the workshop lasted long enough for the council to confirm a quorum, hear the legal justification for a closed session, take public-comment offers, and record a roll-call vote. Additional details about inspection findings, repair estimates, or any follow-up direction were not disclosed in the public record.