Tompkins County Legislature votes to enter executive session on potential property or securities transaction

The Tompkins County Legislature voted to enter an executive session during a special meeting called on January 13 to discuss a proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition or exchange of securities, the presiding officer said.

"We are going to go right into executive session for the proposed acquisition, sell, or lease of real property, or the proposed acquisition of securities, or seller exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof," the chair said before asking for a mover. Deborah Dawson moved the motion; Lee Shurtleff seconded, and the legislature conducted a roll-call vote.

The roll call recorded 15 votes in the affirmative. One member, Greg Mezey, was noted as joining via Zoom and was not permitted to vote under the legislature's rules, as stated on the record. The presiding officer then instructed the body to go off air for about three minutes and reconvene in executive session.

The recorded motion and vote do not disclose the specifics of the property or securities under discussion; the assembled body cited the statutory or procedural basis for executive session when publicity could substantially affect value. The meeting transcript indicates the legislature proceeded to the closed session immediately after the roll call. The public portion of the special meeting was limited to opening remarks, the pledge of allegiance, roll call and the formal motion to enter executive session.

No formal outcome or decision from the executive session appears in the public transcript provided; the legislature returned to closed session following the announced brief pause.