Board holds closed session on potential lease of historic school property and lobbying contract, then certifies closed session

The New Kent County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 14 to enter closed session to discuss two matters: the potential lease of a portion of a publicly held historic school property at 11825 New Kent Highway, and the award of a public contract for government relations and lobbying services.

Supervisor (Ms.) Pearson moved the board into closed session, citing Virginia Code § 2.2‑3711(A)(3) for discussion of the potential lease where open meeting would adversely affect bargaining position or negotiating strategy, and § 2.2‑3711(A)(29) for discussion of the award of a public contract where terms or scope discussion would adversely affect bargaining position. The board then recessed into closed session and later returned to open session.

After the closed session, Supervisor (Mr.) Moyer moved that the board certify by roll call vote that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, only matters lawfully exempted from open session under FOIA and identified in the motion were discussed. The certification motion passed on roll call; the clerk recorded aye votes from all members.

During earlier consent‑agenda discussion the chair had indicated she would pull item F — an appropriation request for lobbying and governmental relations — from the consent agenda for separate consideration; the closed‑session item on a government relations contract was taken under the stated code section during the closed session.