North Bend City Council moves into executive session to review chief executiveofficer performance under ORS 192.660(2)(i)

At a special called meeting on March 5 at 5 p.m., the North Bend City Council announced it would meet in executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i) to "review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer of any public body, public officer, employee, or city member who does not request an open hearing."

The announcement said representatives of the news media and designated staff would be allowed to attend the executive session and that all other members of the audience were asked to leave the room. "Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced," the council stated. The council also said, "No decision may be made during the executive session."

Council members recorded present during roll call were Councilor Jones; Councilor Hamilton; Councilor Garbo; Mayor Neebuhl; Councilor Schulz; Councilor Schleyer; and Councilor George. A staff member identified as the city reporter conducted the roll call. The meeting notice listed a single agenda item: the executive session described under ORS 192.660(2)(i).

ORS 192.660(2)(i) authorizes Oregon public bodies to hold executive sessions to review and evaluate the employment-related performance of public officers and employees. The council's announcement emphasized the statutory limitation that no decision may be made in executive session and reiterated the restricted reporting guidance for media attendance.

The council proceeded to begin the executive session as announced; the meeting transcript records no formal vote or decision taken during the portion of the meeting provided.