Howard County council votes to close special meeting to discuss board personnel matters

Council member Miss Rigby moved on June 1 that the Howard County Council close a special meeting under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(1) and (7) so members could discuss personnel matters affecting one or more board members and consult with legal counsel.

Miss Rigby, who conducted the roll call, said the closed session was needed “to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom the county council has jurisdiction or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter.” She identified the specific topics as performance, discipline and the potential removal of one or more board members.

After the motion, an unidentified participant seconded it. The administrator called the roll for the vote to close the meeting. Chair Jones, Miss Rigby and Miss Walsh voted yes and the motion passed. The council then adjourned the public portion to enter the closed session; the livestream was ended for online viewers.

The record in the public portion does not identify the name of the seconder, provide further details about the personnel matters under discussion, or list any additional votes. No formal disciplinary action or final personnel decision was recorded in the public portion; the meeting concluded with the council moving into the closed session where those matters were to be discussed with counsel.