The D.C. Council held a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning to discuss removing the deal to build a new Commanders stadium from the District's budget.
The deal to bring the team back to the District at the RFK Stadium site could be carved out of the 2026 budget and voted on separately. That vote would not occur until after the budget vote.
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WATCH HEREThe Commanders’ deal with D.C. requires an agreement by July 15. If that date passes, the Commanders could start negotiating again with Maryland or Virginia.
Mayor Muriel Bowser recently said a delay by the D.C. Council could jeopardize the deal. In a statement Tuesday, the mayor said the time to debate the deal is now.
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SIGN UP "A delay sacrifices our exclusive seat at the table and $2.7 billion in private investment," Bowser's statement said. "The Commanders and my team are ready to iron out the details with the Council and respond to any concerns. It should be clear, but let me emphasize — if Council strips the deal terms or budgeted dollars from the budget, it kills our agreement with the Commanders."
The Council met out of the view of reporters or the public. When News4 tried to access the meeting, we were told to leave, video shows.
After leaving the meeting, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he will meet with the Commanders later this week. He said the council needs adequate time to make its decision.
“It is very difficult for the Council to act on a $4 billion proposal in less than six weeks. It’s not fair to the public, and it makes it impossible for the council to do due diligence,” he said.
Ward 2 Council Member Brooke Pinto said she wants to keep the Commanders deal in the budget.
“I think that we should keep it in the budget and make sure that we have the largest private investment in our city's history. Benefit residents for decades to come,” she said.
Ward 5 Council member Zachary Parker sounded in favor of pushing back a decision on the stadium.
“I think it’s important that we get the best deal for Washingtonians, and if that means that we need more time, I think we should take that time,” he said.
Ward 3 Council member Matt Frumin said he wasn’t available to speak and was on his way to a hearing.
News4 tried to ask At-Large Council member Anita Bonds about the meeting. Stepping into an elevator, she disputed that the meeting had been held in secret. News4 asked if she would vote to remove the Commanders deal from the budget – then the elevator door closed.
News4 pressed Mendelson on whether the Council would vote on stadium plans by the July 15 deadline.
“What I have said all along is it will be extremely difficult for the council to act on a $4 billion project in less than six weeks, especially when we have full time to spend on the budget in those same six weeks,” he said.
You’re not answering the question, News4 said.
“I know. It’s the best I’m gonna do, though,” Mendelson replied.
The Council will have to vote to delay the RFK legislation. It was unclear if Mendelson has enough votes to authorize a delay.
Why was the meeting closed to the public?
Bowser and the Council recently approved legislation changing the open meeting laws. For years, if a majority of the Council had a meeting to discuss public business, they had to give 48 hours’ notice and open the meeting to the public.
There were ways to close a meeting if personnel issues, security or financial negotiations were discussed. But none of that was on the agenda on Tuesday.
By the chair’s admission, it was a budget meeting. Many community activists and the press strongly believe the meeting like the one Tuesday morning should be held in the open.
