At the start of public comment during the Nov. 6 Keene City Council meeting, residents pressed council members about conduct during a September 25 meeting that received television coverage.

Mayor Parrish opened the meeting saying the city must be "transparent and accountable" and urged council to do better after criticism over the earlier session. The meeting record shows the mayor accused colleagues of undermining her and of conduct that risked public trust.

A resident asked whether any action after the mayor called recess and left the room was unlawful. The city attorney responded, "our office opined that there was nothing illegal or outside of your ordinances or statutes that occurred on September 25." That legal opinion was repeated during public comment.

Several residents disagreed with the mayor or defended council procedures. Vincent Castro told the council, "the reason why Channel 8 knew about this place is because I told them," and said he would pursue a judge's determination about legality. Samantha Gillen, who was permitted to speak after the council voted to allow late speakers, criticized the mayor's account, saying in part, "That's a total lie. He got up, and mister, Foster asked him, mayor Pro Tem, do you want to carry on with the meeting? ... He did not answer. He walked right past."

Others urged deference to the city charter and the deliberative process. Bud Finley told the council the charter governs council conduct and that the majority vote is the mechanism for decision-making.

Council removed a consent-agenda item (6c) to discuss corrections to the September 25 minutes. Council directed the city secretary to verify the recording and make any necessary corrections, returning revised minutes to council at a future meeting. The city secretary said she would check the recording and revise the minutes where appropriate.

Separately, council voted to convene into executive session under Texas Government Code provisions cited at the meeting (consultation with an attorney and security devices). After the executive session, the council reconvened and continued other business.

No formal court or outside-legal ruling was announced at the meeting; the city attorney's office's in-meeting opinion was that no illegal action occurred on Sept. 25.