Public body votes to enter executive session to discuss economic development projects and contractual negotiations

The public body voted to enter an executive session to discuss proposed site expansions and contractual negotiations for several economic development projects, including Project Vulcan, Project WF and Project Feature, and negotiations related to a transit center involving Columbia Area Development Partners and the USC Columbia Incubator.

The motion cited state exemptions for closed deliberations “pursuant SC code 34-7-85” for location/expansion discussions and “pursuant SC code 34-70-A2” for negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements, as stated on the record. Executive sessions restrict public attendance and disclosure of the discussion except as required by law.

Earlier in the meeting the body approved its minutes by motion and second and a voice vote. The motion to enter executive session was moved on the record and acknowledged by the chair; a second was given and the body approved the executive session by voice vote. The chair asked Mister Bridal to take the body into executive session; Bridal agreed on the record. The transcript records only the motion, the statutory citations, and the chair’s call for a voice vote; no substantive details from the closed session were disclosed in the public record provided.

The meeting then recessed into executive session. No date, vote counts, or further specifics about the projects or contract terms were disclosed in the available public transcript.