Council cites ORS 192.660(2)(a) and meets in executive session on employment matter

The Junction City Council announced that it would meet in executive session pursuant to state law to consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. The presiding official told the room that representatives of the news media and designated staff could attend the executive session but were specifically directed not to report on deliberations beyond the general subject previously announced.

In the open session that followed, the council recorded a motion authorizing the mayor and council president to negotiate an employment agreement with Benjamin West, contingent on completion of background checks. The council later confirmed the motion by unanimous roll-call vote. The council stated that no decisions may be made in executive session and that any final agreements would be returned to open session for formal consideration.