Council Meets Behind Closed Doors About Kirby

City Council met Monday afternoon in a closed-door session to discuss how to proceed with questions involving .

Mayor Josh Cohen said some aldermen requested the closed session to obtain legal advice from the city attorney regarding the city code and how it pertains to the question of residency.

He said the questions involved what the city charter says about the residency requirements and what the role and responsibility of the mayor and council should be in the situation.

Kirby attended the closed-door meeting.

The question about Kirby’s Ward 6 residency arose after found him living in public housing during a raid involving suspected drug activity. Police said he was not doing anything illegal. The unit was not his listed permanent address.

The main questions are what an alderman’s residency requirement is after he is elected and what the council is required to do if that requirement is not met.

Cohen said Karen Hardwick, the city attorney, will submit a written legal opinion to council, which will be made public by the next meeting on Feb. 27.

The city’s on the topic, but ruled that it was not the proper body to consider the question.

The board said the matter should be handled by the mayor and the council.