Council moves to closed session to negotiate sale of land in Northeast New London Business Center

The Common Council voted to enter a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the sale of land in the Northeast New London Business Center. The motion, made by Mr. Ritchie and seconded by Mr. Herder, carried unanimously. City Attorney Stackbauer, City Administrator Chad Hirth and Utilities Manager Mr. Bessette were invited into the closed session along with the council. The transcript records the motion to enter closed session and lists the exemption used — deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, investing public funds or conducting other specified public business when competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session — but does not record the closed-session discussion or any outcome, consistent with the statutory exemption. The closed session followed an Economic Development Committee public hearing on a proposed Evangirl substation and maintenance facility that had drawn public opposition; committee minutes and the closed-session notice indicate that negotiations on a land sale were the next step. No council action from the closed session was recorded in the public transcript or minutes provided at the meeting’s close.