Avondale council holds executive session on council-member discipline; no action taken

The Avondale City Council met in executive session March 25 to discuss discipline of one council member under the city's council code of conduct, Mayor Pineda said, and did not take formal action.

"This evening, the Avondale City Council met in executive session for the purpose of discussion regarding discipline of 1 of our council members under the city of council code of conduct," Mayor Pineda said after the meeting. She added that the council is bound by the Avondale City Charter, which "does not provide an avenue for the council to remove another council member from their seat."

The session began after a motion to adjourn into executive session was announced during the meeting; the council voted to enter executive session and temporarily left the public meeting. When the council returned, Mayor Pineda read a statement saying the council had "a full and frank discussion" regarding the code of conduct with Council member Garcia and that the matter "will be scheduled for a further discussion and an action at a future council meeting." No vote on disciplinary action was taken March 25.

The mayor emphasized that the council's code of conduct requires members to "refrain from abusive conduct, harassment, personal charges or verbal attacks" and to "demonstrate civility and respect at all times," and noted members' public remarks can be perceived as the words of the city. The mayor also reminded listeners that, under state law, the council "is not permitted to disclose what was discussed in executive session."

Council business that evening was limited to roll call, the executive-session motion, and adjournment. The meeting record shows Council member White moved to adjourn to executive session; the transcript records the motion as passing. The council later moved and voted to adjourn the public meeting. The council did not announce any formal disciplinary finding or take any binding action during the March 25 meeting.

The council's statement and remarks by Mayor Pineda indicated the matter will return to a future public meeting for additional discussion and an action item if one is proposed. The mayor closed by thanking council members for their service and moved to adjourn.

Votes at a glance - Motion to adjourn to executive session (purpose: discussion regarding discipline of one council member under the council code of conduct): moved by Council member White; second not specified in the public transcript; outcome: motion passed and council entered executive session. - Motion to adjourn the public meeting (final adjournment): moved by Council member White; second recorded as Council member Condie; outcome: passed; meeting adjourned.

Meeting notes and constraints - Mayor Pineda stated the Avondale City Charter does not allow the council to remove another council member; any removal would be determined by voters, not by a council vote. - Mayor Pineda and the council stated state law prohibits disclosure of executive-session deliberations; details of the executive-session discussion were not released in the public record.

What's next The council stated the discipline matter will be scheduled for further discussion and an action item at a future council meeting; no date was provided on March 25.