Henderson City Council holds emergency meeting, moves into closed session on personnel matters

The Henderson City Council convened an emergency meeting Sept. 12, 2025, called to order by Mayor Melissa Elliott at 1:57 p.m. in the R. G. “Chick” Young, Jr. Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 134 Rose Avenue.

Interim City Manager Paylor Spruill called the roll and confirmed a quorum was present. Councilmembers Geraldine Champion, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Ola Thorpe-Cooper, and Tami Walker were recorded as present; Sara M. Coffey, Lamont Noel, and Garry D. Daeke were listed as absent.

During the meeting, Councilmember Tami Walker moved that the council convene in closed session “pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 143-318.11(a)(6) Personnel Matters.” Councilmember Geraldine Champion seconded the motion, which the minutes record as unanimously approved. The minutes do not provide a public explanation for the emergency meeting or any details of the matters discussed while in closed session.

After the closed session, Councilmember Champion moved to reconvene in open session; Councilmember Michael Venable seconded the motion and it was recorded as unanimously approved. Councilmember Venable then moved to adjourn; Councilmember Champion seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 2:38 p.m.

The minutes list Mayor Melissa Elliott and Tracey Kimbrell, city clerk, on the attestation lines but do not report any votes, findings, or formal actions resulting from the closed-session discussion. No additional public documents or staff reports were included with the minutes to indicate follow-up steps or outcomes.