SUMMARY MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION

OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2003

Mayor Kevin Foy called the closed session to order at 10:23 p.m.

Council members present were Flicka Bateman, Pat Evans, Ed Harrison, Mark Kleinschmidt, Bill Strom, Dorothy Verkerk, Jim Ward, and Edith Wiggins.

Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Acting Town Clerk Sandy Cook.

Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos stated that the report in response to the petition regarding voter-owned elections was scheduled for the March 24, 2003 business meeting, and a report would be going out to the Council Wednesday evening.  He said that most of the information in the report was not a subject that could be discussed in closed session.  Mr. Karpinos noted that closed session rules allowed certain communications from attorney to client to take place in closed session. Under that provision, he said, he wished to tell the Council that in his legal opinion the Town Council did not have the legal authority under current law to enact this policy.

Council Member Bateman asked for clarification.  Mr. Karpinos responded that if he is asked his opinion publicly, he will report that it is his opinion that the Town Council does not have the authority to enact the program.  He added that a report will be coming out in a few days and delivered to the Council, and it should clear up any questions they may have.

The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m.