Houston City Council moves into closed session to discuss personnel matters

The Houston City Council on Nov. 24, 2025 voted to meet in closed session under Section 610.021 Subsection (3), citing hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting, and then adjourned later that evening.

Alderwoman Chelsye Scantlin moved to “move to closed session pursuant to Section 610.021 Subsection (3) Hiring, Firing, Disciplining or Promoting.” Alderman Don Romines seconded the motion. The motion carried with five yes votes: Alderman Fred Stottlemyre, Alderwoman Chelsye Scantlin, Alderwoman Sheila Walker, Alderman Don Romines and Alderwoman Kimberly Bittle. Alderwoman Ann Tottingham, City Clerk Barbara Rodgers and City Treasurer Joe Honeycutt were recorded as not present.

Mayor Samuel Kelley called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Houston City Hall Council Chambers, 601 S. Grand Ave., and led the council in the pledge of allegiance before the vote. The minutes record that the council approved the motion to enter closed session and later approved a motion to adjourn; the meeting formally adjourned at 5:46 p.m.

The minutes include an attestation block and signatures that contain typographical inconsistencies in the transcript (the attestation line shows "Barbera Rodges" and the minutes contain inconsistent middle initials for the mayor/minute taker). The transcript lists the attendees above and records the formal motions and vote but does not record public debate or substantive public actions beyond the decision to meet in closed session and adjourn.

Under Section 610.021(3), cited in the motion, councils commonly hold closed sessions for personnel matters; those discussions are not open to the public and are not summarized in minutes beyond the statutory citation and the formal motion. The minutes do not record any substantive decisions or votes on personnel items in open session.