Staunton City Council entered a closed session during its July 24 work session to discuss the award of a public contract for construction services where open discussion would adversely affect the city’s bargaining position, and to discuss the city manager’s performance, citing Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(29) and §2.2‑3711(A)(1).

Council moved into closed session during the work session; subsequent roll call votes to enter and to reconvene were recorded. After the closed session the council reconvened in open session and each member certified, to the best of their knowledge, that only lawfully exempted public business as identified in the motion was discussed.

Discussion versus decision: the transcript documents only that a closed meeting took place for the stated purposes and that the council certified compliance on reconvening. No contract award details or personnel performance determinations were disclosed in open session during the recorded meeting.

Next steps: where required by code or procurement rules, any formal contract awards or personnel actions that must be taken in open session will be scheduled and publicly noticed; the council’s certification of the closed session is part of the meeting record.