Elected city officials conduct most of their business in public meetings but there are certain topics that warrant private discussions, according to Arizona state law.
The closed-door meetings, known as executive sessions, are private to everyone except the public body hosting the meeting, legal officials and any invited individuals.
In 2019, Peoria City Council went into 14 executive sessions.
This year, according to posted council agendas, they met privately in executive sessions eight times that have included discussions ranging from hiring a new city manager and to labor negotiations with the Peoria Police Officers’ Association.
However, the recorded minutes and contents of these meetings are not accessible to the public.
Open meeting law states a public body may meet in executive session for one of seven reasons:
• Personnel discussions
• Confidential records
• Legal advice
• Litigation, contract negotiations and settlement discussions
• Employee salary discussions
• Discussion regarding international, interstate and tribal negotiations
• Discussion regarding the purchase, sale or lease of real property.
Peoria City Council meet in executive session regarding the following issues in 2023, as listed on each individual agenda:
• Jan. 10 - The separation agreement with the outgoing City Manager Jeff Tyne, and to interview a candidate for a new city manager, including related employment agreement.
• Feb. 7 - Labor negotiations with the Peoria Police Officers’ Association regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of employees.
• March 21 - Employment of a new city attorney and related employment agreement.
• Aug. 24 - Discussed or considered “records exempt by law from public inspection, including the receipt and discussion of information or testimony that is specifically required to be maintained as confidential by state or federal law, and to discuss or consider employment, assignment, appointment, disciplining, or resignation of a public officer, appointee, or employee of a public body pertaining to a member of City Council.”
This session likely included a discussion to request Councilmember Denette Dunn to resign due to her involvement with a long-time family friend who is a sex offender convicted of crimes 40 years ago. The controversy further divided Dunn and Mayor Jason Beck and has continued friction between the two. Dunn refused to resign and remains on the council.
• Sept. 5 - Labor negotiations with the Peoria Police Officers’ Association.
• Sept. 19 - Economic development project Stadium Point at Peoria Sports Complex. The ambitious $500 million project is expected to include at least 400,000 square feet of class A office, a full-service hotel with up to 200 keys, a 200 unit mid-rise apartment building, 30,000 square feet of signature retail, dining and entertainment, as well as an activity plaza of public open space.
• Oct. 17 - Discussion or action regarding potential litigation.
• Dec. 12 - Council took action on case Luis Duran v. City of Peoria. Council also discussed legal advice concerning two contracts.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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