Newport News City Council votes to enter closed meeting to discuss property acquisition and prospective business

City Council voted unanimously to close its April 22 work session for two specified purposes under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The council moved into a closed meeting after a motion citing Code of Virginia §2.2‑3711 subsections 3 and 5.

The motion, read into the record by a councilmember, said the meeting would close for “discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the city” (the subject identified as potential acquisition in the central section of the city), and for “discussion concerning prospective business or expansion of business or industry where no previous announcement has been made” (the subject identified as a potential unannounced expanding business in the southern section of the city).

Roll call and outcome

After the motion and a second, the clerk called the roll. The record shows affirmative votes from: Vice Mayor Bethany; Councilman Coleman; Councilman Ealy; Councilman Harris; Mayor Jones; Councilman Long; and Councilwoman Fitt. The clerk announced “Motion carried, 7–0.”

Legal basis and next steps

The council cited Code of Virginia §2.2‑3711(3) and (5) as the statutory authority for closing the meeting. Staff did not disclose additional details about the property or the prospective business in open session; per the statute, such matters are being discussed in closed session. Council returned from closed session (not recorded in this work‑session excerpt) for any further action or certification required by state law.