Council moves into closed session citing FOIA exemption, then approves $2,500 donation to Peninsula Pantages Foundation

The Newport News City Council voted unanimously at its March 10 work session to enter a closed meeting under exemptions cited from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss candidate interviews for boards and commissions and potential investments involving two housing developments.

A council member moved that the council "hold a closed meeting" under the statute language recited on the record; the motion was seconded, the roll was called and the motion carried 7–0. After the closed session the council voted to certify that the closed meeting had discussed only matters lawfully exempted under the Freedom of Information Act; that certification also passed 7–0.

Before adjournment the council approved a $2,500 request for the Peninsula Pantages Foundation. The motion to provide the donation was moved and seconded and carried on roll call with a 7–0 vote.

No names tied to specific aye/no votes beyond the roll call were recorded in the transcript; the clerk reported the formal tallies and the chair announced the results on the record.