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Atlantic Beach council interviews three town‑manager finalists in closed session, takes no action
Summary
The Town of Atlantic Beach held a two-day special work session Jan. 3–4 to interview three finalists for town manager in closed session under state statute; motions to enter and exit closed session passed unanimously and the minutes record that no action was taken.
The Town of Atlantic Beach Town Council interviewed three finalists for the town manager position during a special work session held Jan. 3–4, 2023, but the council took no formal action, according to minutes approved Jan. 23.
Councilmember Renea Baker moved to enter closed session "pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee." Councilmember Danny Navey seconded the motion, and the council voted unanimously, 5-0, to go into closed session.
During the Jan. 3 portion of the work session, the minutes record that the first applicant arrived at 10:00 a.m., interviewed with the council until about 11:30 a.m., then joined a town tour with department heads. The council recessed for lunch at 11:55 a.m., resumed at 1:00 p.m., interviewed a second applicant from 1:00 p.m. to about 2:35 p.m., and recessed for the day at 3:11 p.m.
On Jan. 4 the council reconvened at 9:30 a.m. and continued discussing the interview process. The third applicant arrived at 10:00 a.m., interviewed until about 11:45 a.m., and then participated in a town tour. The council continued its discussions over lunch before moving to exit closed session.
Councilmember Baker moved to exit closed session under the same statute; Councilmember Navey seconded and the vote was unanimous, 5-0. The minutes state explicitly that no action was taken following the closed sessions.
The minutes identify those present as Mayor A. B. Cooper III; Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters; and Councilmembers Renea Baker, Joey Dean, Danny Navey and Joseph Starling. The document shows that interviews included a post-interview town tour with department heads but does not identify the applicants by name, provide candidate résumés in the minutes, or record any vote or direction that would select a candidate. The council adjourned at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 4.
The special work session minutes were later approved at the Town Council meeting on Jan. 23, 2023. The record cites N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) as the legal basis for the closed sessions; no formal appointment or employment action is recorded in these minutes.
