Pursuant to ORS 192.660, the governing body of a public body may hold an executive session to discuss certain matters. Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session.  All other members of the audience are precluded from attending.  Representatives of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session, except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced.  No decisions will be made in executive session.  The Board reserves the right to enter back into session at the end of executive session.

All matters discussed in Executive Session must meet one of the following criteria [ORS 192.660(2)]:

(a)    To consider the employment of a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent.

(b)    To consider the dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent who does not request an open hearing.

(c)    To consider matters pertaining to the function of the medical staff of a public hospital licensed pursuant to ORS 441.015 to 441.087 including, but not limited to, all clinical committees, executive, credentials, utilization review, peer review committees and all other matters relating to medical competency in the hospital.

(d)    To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations.

(e)    To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions.

(f)     To consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection.

(g)    To consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations.

(h)    To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

(i)     To review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer of any public body, a public officer, employee or staff member who does not request an open hearing.

(j)     To carry on negotiations under ORS chapter 293 with private persons or businesses regarding proposed acquisition, exchange or liquidation of public investments.

(k)    To consider matters relating to school safety or a plan that responds to safety threats made toward a school.

(l)     If the governing body is a health professional regulatory board, to consider information obtained as part of an investigation of licensee or applicant conduct.

(m)   If the governing body is the State Landscape Architect Board, or an advisory committee to the board, to consider information obtained as part of an investigation of registrant or applicant conduct.

(n)    To discuss information about review or approval of programs relating to the security of any of the following:

(A)   A nuclear-powered thermal power plant or nuclear installation.

(B)   Transportation of radioactive material derived from or destined for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant or nuclear installation.

(C)   Generation, storage or conveyance of:

(i)     Electricity;

(ii)    Gas in liquefied or gaseous form;

(iii)   Hazardous substances as defined in ORS 453.005 (7)(a), (b) and (d);

(iv)   Petroleum products;

(v)    Sewage; or

(vi)   Water.

(D)   Telecommunication systems, including cellular, wireless or radio systems.

(E)   Data transmissions by whatever means provided.

                    For more information on executive sessions, see ORS 192.660