Ahead of their upcoming regular meeting on Tuesday, Amarillo City Council is set to hold an executive session meeting to discuss “statement of initiating committee (petition process).” While the agenda for the meeting does not specify whether or not the council will specifically be speaking about the currently circulating petition to create a private right of action to restrict travelling through Amarillo to seek an abortion, that appears to be the only current initiative petition being circulated.

During the closed-door meeting, the council is expected to be consulting with the city attorney regarding the petition. Some members of the council have expressed doubts about the legality of the ordinance proposed by the petitioning committee, specifically citing concerns about whether or not a city may create a separate private right of action in district court. Other members of the council have also requested more information about the petition process itself.

In addition to discussing the petition, the council is expected to discuss the performance of Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman. During their regular meeting, the council is expected to approve a $36,000 contract with Baker Tilly to aid in the search for a new city manager. Some council members have indicated they are optimistic the next city manager is already employed by the city, with some indications already being given that Freeman might end up being the council’s pick.

The executive session meeting is set to take place at 1:00 pm, with the regular meeting set to begin at 3:00 pm. The agenda for the executive session meeting can be found at this link.