Henderson City Council votes 7-1 to review combined City Manager/City Attorney role in nine months

The Henderson City Council voted 7 to 1 on April 28 to review the combined City Manager/City Attorney position in nine months, council minutes show.

Councilmember Lamont Noel moved that the council review the dual role after nine months; Councilmember Sara M. Coffey seconded the motion. The measure passed with Councilmembers Coffey, Noel, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Garry D. Daeke, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Tami Walker voting yes, and Councilmember Geraldine Champion voting no.

Mayor Melissa Elliott called the special meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell recorded the roll and confirmed a quorum. Earlier in the meeting, Councilmember Michael Venable moved that the council convene in closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(6) to discuss a personnel matter; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Ola Thorpe-Cooper. Minutes record that the council later reconvened in open session after the closed session.

City staff listed as present in the minutes included City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry, City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell and Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:36 p.m. after Councilmember Geraldine Champion moved for adjournment; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Thorpe-Cooper and recorded as unanimously approved.

The council’s action sets a formal nine-month review of whether the City Manager and City Attorney functions should remain combined; the minutes do not specify additional directions to staff or a date for a follow-up agenda item beyond the nine-month timing.