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Anchorage Assembly moves into executive session for legal briefing
Summary
The Anchorage Assembly voted to convene an executive session to receive a legal briefing from the municipal attorney’s office, citing Anchorage Municipal Code 2.30.036(a)(1) and (5). The motion was made by Assembly member Brody, seconded by Assembly member Bolen, and advanced by unanimous consent; the content of the briefing was not disclosed.
The Anchorage Assembly voted to enter an executive session to receive a legal briefing from the municipal attorney’s office, citing Anchorage Municipal Code 2.30.036(a)(1) and (5). The motion to enter executive session was made by Ms. Brody and seconded by Mr. Bolen; Chair Constance closed debate and said, “Seeing and hearing no objection, we will now convene into an executive session.”
Municipal Attorney Eva Gardner explained why the Assembly was meeting in closed session: “The reason for meeting today in executive session is to allow the assembly to receive a legal briefing from the municipal attorney's office on various pending legal matters. An executive session is appropriate under AMC 2.30.036(a)(1) and (5) because it will involve discussion of information on specific legal matters, including pending litigation, as well as subjects which by law, municipal code, or municipal charter, or ordinance are required to be confidential, including the provision of legal advice subject to protection by the attorney client privilege.”
Following the motion, the Assembly cleared the public seating area and recorded a roll call of people present before beginning the closed-record portion of the session. Municipal staff and counsel present and identified during the roll call included Legislative Counsel Matthew Hurt; Deputy Municipal Attorney Joe Busa; Municipal Manager Becky Winpiercen; Municipal Clerk Jamie Hines; and Assistant Municipal Attorneys Zach Schwartz, Allison Lang and Ben Bowman. Felix Rivera was identified as participating by phone. The Assembly instructed nonparticipants to exit to the main lobby before the executive session began.
No substantive details of the legal matters discussed were released after the session; the Anchorage Municipal Code provision cited by Gardner authorizes confidentiality for privileged legal advice and certain pending litigation subjects. Because the discussion occurred in executive session under the municipal code, the Assembly did not disclose the content of the briefing on the public record.
