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Atchison Commissioners, attorneys, hold special mtg.

By Brian Hagen

03/23/2021

(KAIR)--No binding action was announced following a special meeting of the Atchison City Commission Monday, with Commission discussion held behind closed doors for its duration.

Mayor Abby Bartlett, after calling the early evening meeting to order, gained a unanimous vote of the Commission to recess into Executive Session to last for what she called “about 45-minutes” for consultation with the city attorney(s) to discuss privileged attorney-client matters such as litigation or claims against the city.

Along with legal counsel, Bartlett stated that others to be present for the confidential discussion were her fellow Commissioners, City Manager Becky Berger, Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont, and Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A reason for the Executive Session has not formally been made public, but a City official familiar with the details of the meeting, speaking to MSC News on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the executive session, confirmed that it was held in regards to the City’s lawsuit against Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie. Filed in Atchison County District Court December 19, it alleges that Laurie, in his official capacity as County Sheriff, is violating Kansas statute by having what the legal document calls “a policy not to accept prisoners brought to the jail by Atchison police officers if they meet or don’t meet certain criteria.”