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Council moves into closed session to consider finalists for city manager and city attorney
Summary
Council voted to enter closed session to discuss applicants for the city manager and city attorney searches; members later certified the closed meeting and one member is recorded as declining to certify.
Council voted to enter closed session to consider applicants for the city manager and city attorney positions after staff said confidentiality was necessary for candidate interviews.
Mr. Payne (speaker 5) told council that initial interviews had been conducted and that the staff recommended discussing impressions and selecting a shortlist of finalists in closed session. Mr. Pearson (speaker 4) moved to enter closed session "pursuant to 2.2-371"; the motion was seconded and the mayor declared the motion carried. The session was held to review candidates and plan face-to-face finalist interviews with council at a later date.
After returning to open session, Mr. Pearson moved to certify that only matters identified in the motion had been discussed. The transcript records multiple councilmembers certifying, and at least one member stating, "I do not certify." The record does not include the closed-session deliberations or the names of candidates discussed; councilmembers emphasized that confidentiality had been pledged to applicants.
Why it matters: The closed session advances the recruitment process for two senior city positions. The council also recorded the required open-meeting certification afterward; the transcript shows a mix of certifications and at least one formal dissent on the certification step.
What happens next: Staff said council would work to identify finalist interview dates and logistics for in-person interviews.
