Takoma Park City Council moves into closed session over collective bargaining talks

The Takoma Park City Council voted this evening to convene a closed session to receive a briefing and legal advice on collective bargaining negotiations with ASME Local 3399 and UFCW Local 400. The presiding official said the meeting would be closed under the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(9) and §3-305(b)(7).

The motion to convene in closed session was made and then acknowledged as moved by Council member Weselek and seconded by Council member Gilbert. The motion was approved by voice vote; the transcript records two "aye" responses but does not include a full roll-call tally in the record.

Explaining the purpose, the Chair said, "We're starting a little bit early tonight, because we are moving into a closed session this evening," and stated that the closed meeting would allow the council to meet with staff and the city's labor attorney to receive legal advice and a briefing on collective bargaining negotiations. The Chair also said the council would reconvene in the auditorium at 7:30 p.m. for the scheduled budget work session.

The council cited the statutory provisions that permit closure for collective bargaining negotiations and for consulting with counsel to receive legal advice. No additional details about the substance of the negotiations, terms under discussion, or expected duration of the closed session were provided in the public record. The motion and procedural vote to enter closed session were the only formal actions recorded on the agenda before the council left the public meeting space.