Council approves $5,000 event sponsorship and votes to enter closed session; motions pass unanimously

The Newport News City Council took several formal actions during its Jan. 28 work session.

Excel Summit sponsorship Council approved funding support of $5,000 for the 2025 Excel Summit, "Remind You Wellness," hosted by Dr. Norwood and scheduled for March 7–9, 2025. A motion to support the request was moved and seconded on the floor; a roll-call vote recorded six affirmative votes and the chair stated "motion carries 6-0."

Vote record (roll call as read in meeting): Councilman Coleman — Aye; Councilman Ealy — Aye; Councilman Harris — Aye; Mayor Jones — Aye; Councilman Long — Aye; Vice Mayor Bethany — Aye. The transcript does not list the names of the motion’s mover or seconder.

Closed session and certification Councilman Long moved that the council enter a closed meeting under what the motion quoted as Section 2.2-3711 (a) of the Code of Virginia for multiple purposes: consultation with legal counsel regarding probable litigation and threatened tort claims; discussion of disposition (sale or other disposition) of publicly held property in the southern section of the city; and discussion of acquisition of real property in the central section of the city. The motion was seconded, a roll-call vote was taken and the chair announced the motion carried 6-0.

After the closed meeting, the council moved to certify that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only matters lawfully exempted from open-meeting requirements and identified in the motion were discussed. That certification motion was seconded and passed by roll call with the same six affirmative votes.

Why it matters: The sponsorship motion directs a modest amount of city support to a local event; the closed-session motions authorized confidential discussion with legal counsel and negotiation strategy related to litigation and property transactions, consistent with the attorney-client and negotiation exemptions the council cited.

Speakers and attendees (as recorded) Councilman Long (mover of closed-session motion) Councilman Coleman (voted Aye in roll call) Councilman Ealy (voted Aye in roll call) Councilman Harris (voted Aye in roll call) Mayor Jones (voted Aye in roll call) Vice Mayor Bethany (voted Aye in roll call)

Authorities {"type":"statute","name":"Code of Virginia (open-meeting exemption cited)","citation":"referenced in meeting as 'section 2.2 dash 3711 a of the code of Virginia' (exact statutory subsection text not provided in transcript)","referenced_by":["Councilman Long"]}

Clarifying details Sponsorship amount: $5,000 for 2025 Excel Summit, Remind You Wellness (event dates: March 7–9, 2025) Vote tally on sponsorship: 6 Yeas, 0 Nays (motion carries 6-0) Closed-session motion: moved by Councilman Long; stated statutory citation as in transcript; vote tally 6 Yeas, 0 Nays Certification motion after closed session: roll-call vote 6 Yeas, 0 Nays

Provenance [{"block_id":"transcript_s2518","local_start":0,"local_end":350,"evidence_excerpt":"So I just need a motion that we're going to support this request. Of $5,000 the date of the event is March 7th through March 9, 2025. I think everyone signed it, but I'm going to need a motion. So moved. Second. Moved to second it. Could you call the roll at this time ma'am? Councilman Coleman. 4. Councilor Harris. 4. Jones. 4. Councilor Malone. 4. Pfizer and Bethany. 4. Motion carries 60.","tc_start":"00:41:58","tc_end":"00:42:35","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"transcript_s2578","local_start":0,"local_end":600,"evidence_excerpt":"I move that pursuant to section 2.2 dash 3711 a of the code of Virginia 95th day as amended. Subsection 37. That the council hold a closed meeting for the purpose of 7, consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual probable litigation where such consultation, briefing, and open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating and litigating parts of the public body and subject which is threatening litigation involving tort claims. 3, discussion or consideration of the disposition disposition of publicly held property where discussion of open meaning would adversely affect the bargain and negotiating strategy of the city. Subject which is the potential disposition of public held property in the southern section of the city. And 3, a discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion of open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiate the treasury of the city. So which is potential acquisition of real property in the central section of the city. 2nd. I think we have a motion and a second. Please call the roll.","tc_start":"00:42:58","tc_end":"00:44:20","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]