Executive sessions: An examination of the closed-door ritual at Queen Creek council meetings
Queen Creek Town Council members spend hours in closed-door executive sessions, conferring with the town’s attorney or speaking amongst themselves about personnel matters.
State law allows the meetings per Arizona Revised Statutes 38-431.03, which states, in part, that upon a public majority vote of the members constituting a quorum, a public body may hold an executive session. It goes on to list seven subsections detailing the types of meetings that may be held, according to https://www.azleg.gov.
The one most cited on council agendas is discussion or consultation for legal advice with the attorney or attorneys of the public body.
Most regularly scheduled town council meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Chambers, 20727 E. Civic Parkway, and start with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Then the council adjourns and head back into the building to the Ironwood Conference Room for executive sessions.
