The Council of the District of Columbia is looking for ways to meet privately with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The proposal, supported by all 12 council members, would make it easier for them to meet with the mayor privately to discuss matters related to economic development projects, strategize against congressional interference in city management, and have more honest conversations with the mayor. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, a Democrat, moved the bill to a vote on an emergency basis.

The proposal came as the city has faced interference in its local affairs by a GOP-controlled Congress. The legislative body recently passed a spending bill that would cut a billion dollars from Washington’s local budget. 

The council members have argued that the group must be able to discuss such matters without having to worry about violating open-meeting rules. They believe that a closed-door setting could also allow for more candid discussion and room for internal disagreements to be aired.

Current law requires meetings, when the majority of council members or a council committee are present, to provide two business days’ notice to the public — except in emergency situations.

Mendelson and other council members have said the Open Meetings Act prevents them from having conversations about oversight into government agencies. He noted that the council ceased meetings with Bowser due to concerns about disputes being seen by the public. 

“We no longer have monthly mayor-council breakfasts because neither side wants to publicly air disagreements,” Mendelson said.

He added that current law limits the council’s “ability to meet to discuss political strategy to best inform members of Congress” about budget issues because we don’t want these conversations to be public.”

HERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN

Councilwoman Christina Henderson, an independent, said that, given the threats to home rule and concerns about the large budget cut, council members need more opportunities to speak privately as a group with the mayor. 

“I understand any time there are changes in terms of open meetings or transparency, people automatically make the assumption that something salacious is happening,” Henderson said. “But truly it is: Can we have a conversation about something quickly that is very important to the city’s affairs?”