Newport News council approves remote participation, hears personnel announcements and moves into closed session

The Newport News City Council approved a motion to allow Mayor Jones to participate remotely and conducted several administrative actions before moving into a closed meeting to discuss appointments, real property and potential investments.

At the start of the session, council members voted to permit remote participation by Mayor Jones; the motion passed 7-0 on a roll call. Later in the meeting the council voted to hold a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citing Code of Virginia 2.2-3711 and listing subsections referenced in the record (candidate interviews; acquisition and potential disposition of real property in the central section of the city; potential investment of public funds for a high-performance data facility; and legal consultation regarding Americans with Disabilities Act compliance). The motion to convene the closed meeting carried 7-0.

City Manager (name not specified) announced two leadership changes: Owen Miller was promoted to deputy city manager of community development and will oversee planning, codes compliance, sustainability, neighborhood services and housing initiatives; Torrance Archie was hired as director of Parks and Recreation after more than 25 years in parks administration, most recently as assistant director of Parks and Recreation in Henrico County.

Council voted on small community-support requests during the session. A $2,500 sponsorship for Gifted Minds Academy (full name in the record: Gifted Minds First Baptist Church Morrison transportation sponsorship) was presented; the transcript indicates signatures and discussion but does not record a final roll-call tally for that item. The council approved a $1,000 request for the (text in record: "Elton/Eggleston/Eglinton") services anniversary event; the recorded roll call for that item shows the motion carried 6-0. The council also moved to ratify appointments related to a circulated Alzheimer's Association item; that ratification vote was recorded as carried 6-0.

Councilman Long asked that the recently received final collective bargaining report be referred to the Finance and Governance Committee so the administration details and budgeting implications can be worked through before any full-council vote; the request was presented for committee review. Council also took time to compliment the Department of Street Repair for recent work replacing sections of Jefferson Avenue and smoothing Lord Justin Avenue.

Before adjourning, the council complied with FOIA formalities by certifying that only matters identified in the motion were discussed in the closed meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to allow Mayor Jones to participate remotely: approved; tally recorded as 7 yes, 0 no. - Motion to convene closed meeting under Va. Code 2.2-3711 (subsections cited): approved; tally recorded as 7 yes, 0 no. - Gifted Minds First Baptist (transportation sponsorship): amount $2,500; signatures present; final roll-call tally not specified in transcript. - Anniversary/gala sponsorship (recorded text varies: "Elton/Eggleston/Eglinton" services): amount $1,000; motion recorded carried 6 yes, 0 no. - Ratification of circulated appointments (Alzheimer's Association item): motion carried 6 yes, 0 no.

No formal ordinance or budget adoption occurred in the provided transcript excerpt.