Council approves three small contingency disbursements and votes to enter closed session under the Code of Virginia

The Newport News City Council approved three small contingency items and later voted to hold a closed session during its year-end work session.

Mayor Jones asked the council to approve three contingency signature requests: $1,000 for a tennis-related item, $7,500 for the "crew corner" and $750 for the Black Excellence Gala. A council member moved, another seconded, and the clerk conducted a roll call; the council voted to approve the items and Mayor Jones announced, "Motion carried, 5 0."

Shortly afterward, Councilman Long moved that the council hold a closed meeting pursuant to the Code of Virginia (the transcript cites "section 2.2 ... of the code of Virginia 1950 as amended" and lists subsections for personnel interviews and appointments, discussion of investment of public funds related to a public festival, and consultation with legal counsel regarding courthouse facilities). The motion was seconded, roll call was taken and the council voted to hold the closed meeting. Upon return, the council certified the closed session proceedings and later moved to ratify set appointments enclosed; the ratification vote carried 5-0.

The transcript records the roll-call results as "Motion carried, 5 0" for the contingency approvals and 5-0 for the subsequent ratifications. The closed-session motion and the subsections of the Code of Virginia were cited during the motion on the record in the meeting transcript.