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Minot City Council votes unanimously to enter two executive sessions on contract matters
Summary
The Minot City Council voted unanimously March 17 to move into two closed executive sessions: one to consult the city attorney about potential litigation over a contract referred to as "Project B" and a second to give negotiating instructions on the city's contract with Chen Cheng Hun Grama Hibachi Buffet Incorporated.
The Minot City Council voted unanimously Monday to move into two closed executive sessions to receive attorney advice on litigation risk involving a contract described as "Project B" and to provide negotiating instructions regarding the city's contract with Chen Cheng Hun Grama Hibachi Buffet Incorporated.
The sessions were authorized under the North Dakota Century Code section 44-04-19, parts 1, 5 and 9, which the council cited on the record as legal authority to close those portions of the meeting. The presiding officer said the sessions would allow council members to hear legal guidance and negotiating strategy that, if discussed in public, could have an adverse fiscal effect on the city.
Council member Paul moved to go into the executive session; a council member identified as Mark seconded the motion. The motion passed without dissent; the council recorded the vote as unanimous. At roll call earlier in the meeting, the council recorded the presence of Blessem, Fuller, Jackson, Olsen, Pitner, Ross and Samuelson, and the minutes reflect the executive-session motion passed unanimously. The council stated that any final action required by law would be taken in open session, and that the prohibition on final action during executive session does not prevent providing guidance to the city attorney or negotiators.
The council relocated to the City Council Conference Room adjoining the chambers for the closed sessions and invited members of the public to remain in the council chambers. The presiding officer said the council anticipated reconvening the open meeting at approximately 5:25 p.m.; the minutes later show the executive session was adjourned at 5:35 p.m., after which the council returned to the dais, completed adjournment formalities and recessed.
No substantive public discussion, motions to approve contracts, or other formal actions on the contract topics were recorded in open session during this meeting. The council did not announce any final decisions on Project B or the contract with Chen Cheng Hun Grama Hibachi Buffet Incorporated at the time the meeting returned to open session.
