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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Friends/Neighbors –<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If I may, I would like to weigh in on the Executive Session discussion to hopefully provide some clarity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Most of this may be found here (<a href="http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/support.htm">http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/support.htm</a> )<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter 4 specifically deals with defining the narrow reasons why it is prudent and necessary from time to time for elected officials to have closed meetings. According to the Maryland Open Meetings Act Manual (7<sup>th</sup> ed.) there are fourteen (14) circumstances under which a public body may close a meeting:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'> §10-508(a)(1): discussion of personnel matters including actions, compensation issues, performance evaluation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(2): to protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter that is not public business<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(3): the acquisition of real property<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(4): proposals for business or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(5): the investment of public funds<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(6): the marketing of public securities<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(7): to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(8): to consult with any individual about pending or potential litigation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(9): to conduct collective bargaining negotiations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(10): the discussion of public security if public discussion is a risk to the public or public security<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(11): the preparation, administration, or grading of a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(12): to conduct or discussion of an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(13): to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosure (i.e. federal/state law)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>- §10-508(a)(14): to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>The meeting on Wednesday was closed per §10-508(a)(4). Also of note, we also had an Executive Session on August 15<sup>th</sup> per §10-508(a)(1) to afford the full Council a chance to interview at length and probe the personnel record of our newly appointed and confirmed Chief of Police. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>In the Legislative Meeting that was held on Tuesday (and lasted until after midnight), a resolution was passed to engage in negotiations to purchase the property on Route 1 known as Jey’s Auto. Although §10-508(a)(3) could have been invoked in initial discussions, this topic was instead brought up at the prior week’s work session for full public scrutiny and comment. The Open Meetings Act provides for closed sessions, but Mayor and Council strive to, wherever possible, keep meetings open to public discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Please also note that the Cafritz Conceptual Site Plan (CSP), traffic study, and filed application with MNCPPC (Park & Planning) is currently at Town Hall and is available for public inspection and I invite ALL to take a look. I am hopeful that our town staff in the near future will scan these voluminous documents and make them available on the town website at a minimum. I would be happy to suggest to staff that these be put out for public review on the table during any Town meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>This is a project that impacts us all and will have impacts that will be felt for decades. If the Council can better address your concerns, PLEASE contact us. I, myself, have tried to be responsive to any constituent concern. If we can do a better job in disseminating out information and you have suggestions how, bring it to our attention. I would love to see the room packed with people at the next informational session (tentatively scheduled for Sep 22<sup>nd </sup>or thereabouts). The Council has asked the Mayor and staff to produce an informational mailer (hopefully in both English and Spanish) to be distributed to every household in town prior to this meeting. I strongly encourage people to attend and make your voices heard!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'>Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Sylfaen","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Jonathan W. Ebbeler | </span></b><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Councilmember – Ward One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Town of Riverdale Park</span></b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><br><a href="mailto:jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov"><span style='color:blue'>jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov</span></a><br><a href="http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=2000+Airport+Road%2C+Suite+125&csz=Atlanta%2C+GA+30341&country=us" target="_blank"><span style='color:#000040'>5008 Queensbury Road</span><span style='color:#000040;text-decoration:none'><br></span><span style='color:#000040'>Riverdale Park, MD 20737</span><span style='color:#000040;text-decoration:none'><br></span></a>Office: <a href="http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=en&src=jj_signature&To=888%2D861%2D8881&Email=jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank" title="Click to call. Cheap rates & no headset required!"><span style='color:#000040'>301-927-6381</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Mobile: <a href="http://www.plaxo.com/click_to_call?lang=en&src=jj_signature&To=404%2D626%2D2082&Email=jebbeler@efusionconsulting.com" target="_blank" title="Click to call. Cheap rates & no headset required!"><span style='color:#000040'>404-626-2082</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>