Sunnyside City Council Holds 30‑Minute Executive Session to Evaluate Applicant; No Action Taken

At a special meeting of the Sunnyside City Council, members entered an executive session under state law to "evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment," setting the closed session for 30 minutes with the option to extend. The council returned to open session and the presiding council member said "at this time, there is no action to be taken by counsel."

The meeting opened with the presiding council member stating the purpose: the council would meet in executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to evaluate an applicant for public employment and noting the council would follow RCW 42.30.140(4) concerning discussions of salaries and other employment conditions that must be in open session when final action is taken. The presiding council member asked for a 1‑hour period but said the agenda originally listed 20 minutes.

Julie, the city clerk, recommended a shorter starting period: "I would prefer starting with maybe 30 minutes and then extending for an hour just in case we don't use the full the full hour." A council member replied, "30 minutes," and the presiding council member directed the audience to step outside along with personal effects before the closed session began.

After the executive session, the presiding council member said, "I wish to thank counsel for an honest and open discussion and debate. I appreciate everybody's input. I appreciate our attorneys and their wisdom." He added that "there is no action to be taken by counsel." The meeting was then adjourned at 07:22.

The council did not record any motion or public vote during the open portions of the meeting; the decision to hold the executive session and its duration was agreed by members at the meeting. No hiring, salary setting, discharge or other formal employment action was announced in open session.