The Columbia County Board of Commissioners announced at its May 28 meeting that it would move into an executive session to consult with counsel about potential litigation and to deliberate on real property negotiations.

The board cited ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with counsel regarding legal rights and duties related to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. It also cited ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider information or records exempt from public inspection and ORS 192.660(2)(e) to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions.

Named participants authorized to attend included Ed McLennan, assistant counsel; Sarah Hansen, county counsel; and Jamie Amundson, public health director. The board directed that representatives of the news media and designated staff may attend the executive session but asked other members of the audience to leave the room or virtual meeting.

A meeting speaker reminded attendees that “Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report or otherwise disclose any of the deliberations or anything said about these subjects during the executive session, except to state the general subject in the session as previously announced.” The board also noted that no decisions may be made during the executive session and that it would return to open session afterward.