Council votes unanimously to enter executive session on magistrate evaluation and possible resignation

The Sedona City Council voted unanimously to enter an executive session to discuss the midyear evaluation, terms of employment and a possible resignation of city magistrate Paul Schlegel and to consider the appointment and salary of an interim presiding magistrate judge.

The chair opened the meeting and asked the clerk to read the roll call before announcing Item 3, saying the council would discuss "the judicial midyear evaluation and other terms of employment and resignation of the city magistrate Paul Schlegel, and discussion with the city attorney for legal advice." The chair cited Arizona Revised Statutes as the legal basis for the closed session.

When the chair asked for a motion, the clerk said, "Mayor, I'd like to move. We move into executive session to discuss the items as you stated." The motion was seconded; one speaker noted it was "Second by Melissa." The chair then called for the ayes: "All in favor, say aye." The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

After the vote the council directed the judge to join them and went into executive session to address the listed personnel and legal-advice matters. The meeting later returned to open session and was adjourned; no public actions or decisions regarding the magistrate’s employment or the interim appointment were recorded in open session.

The council cited Arizona statutory authority for closed personnel and legal-advice discussions. The transcript records the council invoking the state open-meeting exemptions but does not include further public details about any determinations made during the executive session.