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Skagway assembly votes to enter executive session after debate over staff interaction review
Summary
The Skagway Municipality Assembly voted to enter an executive session on Sept. 26 to discuss interactions between the assembly and borough staff after Assemblymember Hansen questioned whether the topic met the threshold for a closed session; the body reconvened with no public direction and then adjourned.
The Skagway Municipality Assembly voted 4–2 on Sept. 26 to move into an executive session to discuss interactions between the assembly and borough staff after debate about whether the subject met the legal threshold for a closed-door meeting.
Assemblymember Hansen moved the motion under agenda item 5(a), citing "subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person" and a need to discuss "assembly interaction with assembly staff." The motion specified that Manager Deach, Deputy Borough Manager Kamika, Clerk Burnham and Deputy Clerk Carr be admitted and that Assemblymember Henry may attend by Zoom. Hillis seconded the motion.
In the public exchange before the vote, Hansen said he was unsure the topic qualified for a closed session without the borough attorney present. "I am unclear as as to the protocol and the appropriateness of going to executive session," Hansen said, pressing that executive session typically applies to financial matters, particular staff personnel matters, or discussions with the borough attorney.
Manager Dish responded that the planned session would address general interactions between the assembly and staff rather than focus on individual employees, and cautioned against saying anything in open session that would prejudice a person’s reputation. "We're not talking about individuals. We're talking about generally, interactions between the assembly and their staff," Dish said.
The chair said the decision followed a process with borough attorneys and came on the borough attorney's recommendation that the matter be handled in executive session with the attorney present.
A roll-call vote on the motion recorded four yes votes and two no votes; the chair announced the motion passed. The assembly moved into executive session at 05:36 and reconvened in regular session at 06:31. Upon reconvening, the chair stated, "No direction was decided," indicating no formal public action or directive resulted from the closed session.
After returning to open session the assembly approved a motion to adjourn; the adjournment vote was unanimous and the meeting ended.
This report is based solely on public remarks and rolls as recorded in the meeting transcript; the content of the executive session was not disclosed in open session.
