Charlotte County supervisors unanimously enter closed session to discuss siting agreement and broadband grant negotiations

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 13 to enter a closed meeting to consult legal counsel on a proposed siting agreement with Randolph Virginia, LLC and to discuss the terms of a grant agreement related to broadband service to be provided by Empower Broadband, Inc. and RiverStreet Communications of Virginia, Inc. The special meeting was held at the Charlotte County Administration Building and was called to order by Chairman Gary D. Walker at 5:00 p.m.

Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith moved to hold the closed meeting; Supervisor Garland H. Hamlett Jr. seconded the motion. The motion identified two statutory bases for the closed session: consultation with counsel under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711.A.8 to address the siting agreement, and discussion of the award and negotiation of a public contract under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711.A.29 related to a broadband grant agreement.

After the closed session, the Board returned to open session and took a second motion, moved by Supervisor Smith and seconded by Supervisor Walter T. Bailey, to adopt the certification required by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3712. The certification stated that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements were discussed and that the subjects discussed were those identified in the motion convening the closed meeting. A roll-call vote recorded all members as voting Aye: Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith, Supervisor Garland H. Hamlett Jr., Supervisor Will Garnett, Supervisor Walter T. Bailey, Supervisor Tony Reeves, Supervisor Robert L. Shook Jr., and Chairman Gary D. Walker.

Being no further business, the Board adjourned. Clerk Daniel N. Witt attested the minutes of the special meeting.