City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on November 21, 2023 -1– The Closed Session Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the Closed Session Meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. Council Member Annettee Smith-Lee Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr. Vice Mayor Darrin Hill Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member Marlow Jones Present from City Administration: Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Lucas City Manager John March Altman, Jr. City Attorney Anthony Williams 2. CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Parham stated, “Next, I would entertain a motion to add discussion of Case No. 730CL23000855-00 to the closed session motion.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to add discussion of Case No. 730CL23000855-00 to the closed session. Council Member Smith-Lee seconded the motion. The motion was approved on voice vote. On voice call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Jones a. The purpose of this meeting is to convene in the closed session pursuant to §2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, specifically including but not limited to the acquisition and disposition of real property; and under Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) and (8) for the purpose of receiving legal advice and status update from the city attorney and legal consultation regarding the subject of specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by the city attorney, specifically including but not limited to matters requiring the legal advice of the city attorney for Circuit Court Case No. 730CL23000855-00; and under Section 2.2-3711(A)(29) for the purpose of discussion regarding the subject matter of public contract involving the expenditure of funds and terms or scope of such contract where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining or negotiating strategy of the public contract; and under Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of discussion pertaining to performance, assignment, and appointment of a specific public employees of the City of Petersburg, specifically including but not limited to discussion of the performance, assignment, and appointment of a specific public officer of the City of Petersburg. Vice Mayor Hill made a motion that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted. Council Member Westbrook seconded the motion. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Jones The City Council entered closed session at 3:35 p.m. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on November 21, 2023 -2– CERTIFICATION: Mr. Williams stated, “The Mayor would entertain a motion to conclude the closed session called today to certify in accordance with §2.2-3712 that the Code of Virginia that to the best of each members knowledge that only public business matter lawfully exempted from the opening meeting requirements were discussed and that only such public business matters were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened, heard, discussed, or considered. If any member believes that there was a departure from the foregoing requirements should state prior to the vote indicating the substance for departure in which he believes has occurred. This requires a roll call vote Mr. Mayor.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to return the City Council to open session and certify the purposes of the closed session. Council Member Westbrook seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham 23-R-64 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING, AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, SECTION 2.2- 3712, THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER’S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED SESSION, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED. The City Council returned to open session at 5:41pm. Mayor Parham stated, “I would like to entertain a motion to amend the October 17, 2023, minutes of the city council meeting to this agenda.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to amend the October 17, 2023, minutes of the city council meeting to this agenda. Council Member Smith-Lee seconded the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham Mayor Parham stated, “I will entertain a motion to direct the City Attorney to obtain a verbatim transcript of council on item 8b of the October 17, 2023, council meeting minutes and provide it to the clerk so that the transcript will be incorporated into the council minutes of October 17, 2023.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to direct the City Attorney to obtain a verbatim transcript of council on item 8b of the October 17, 2023, council meeting minutes and provide it to the clerk so that the transcript will be incorporated into the council minutes of October 17, 2023. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham 3. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 5:43 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor