Committee of the Whole recesses into executive session to consider property purchase

Council members of the Committee of the Whole voted to recess into executive session on Dec. 8 to consider the purchase of property, then reconvened and adjourned.

Council member Mr. Schilling moved "I'll make a motion that we move into executive session" to consider "purchase of property," and Mrs. Westfall seconded the motion. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from Missus Marshall, Mister Phillips, Mister Schilling, Mister Twist, Missus Knee, Mister Sievert and Missus Westfall; the clerk announced, "Motion is approved" and "Unanimous vote." The presiding officer then said the group would return to the chambers and immediately adjourn after reconvening.

The committee returned from the closed session at about 7:02 p.m. Missus Snead moved "that we return back to committee session," and Mister Schilling seconded. A roll call on that motion recorded yes votes from Missus Westfall, Mister Sievers, Missus Snead, Mister Twist, Mister Phillips and Missus Marshall; Mister Schilling was recorded as "Present," prompting a brief procedural exchange about whether that response constituted a yes vote. After the return, the presiding officer stated there was no further business and the meeting was adjourned.

The only subject placed on the public record for the closed portion was "purchase of property." No other details about the property, price, location or any negotiating terms were disclosed in the open session transcript. The record shows formal motions and roll-call responses but does not contain substantive debate, supporting documents or a public vote on the merits of any purchase.

The committee provided no further timeline for any follow-up action on the property purchase in the open portion of the record; the meeting concluded with the presiding officer thanking attendees and indicating there was no further business.