On Feb. 18, 2025, the Petersburg City Council met in a closed session to receive legal advice on pending or probable litigation, discuss the acquisition and disposition of publicly held real property, and consider the performance, assignment and appointment of a specific public officer. The council later voted to certify, by roll call, that the closed session covered only the topics permitted under Virginia law.

The council opened the record by reading the stated purposes for the closed session, citing provisions of the Code of Virginia and a local court case on the record. The items read into the record included references to “2.2 dash 37 11” and related provisions, multiple tax and code sections recited verbatim in the meeting, and Petersburg Circuit Court case number CL 24715. The mayor’s office recorded the purpose as including legal consultation regarding actual or probable litigation, discussion or consideration of acquisition and disposition of real property for public purposes, and personnel matters involving a specific public officer. The meeting transcript does not disclose details of the legal matters, property or personnel subjects discussed.

Vice Mayor Hill moved to convene the closed session; Councilman Westbrook seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken to enter the closed session. The roll call recorded “aye” votes from Council Member Cuthbert, Council Member Myers, Council Member Westbrook, Council Member Smith Lee, Vice Mayor Hill and Mayor Perrin. Following the closed session, Vice Mayor Hill moved to conclude and certify the closed session under the applicable Virginia statute; Council Member Smith Lee seconded. A roll call vote to certify recorded “aye” votes by Council Member Cuthbert, Council Member Jones, Council Member Myers, Council Member Boyseman, Council Member Smith Lee, Vice Mayor Hill and Mayor Perrin. The mayor announced the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

The council’s statements on the record identify the statutory basis for the closed session but do not provide further public details about the subjects discussed. The certification vote on the record states that if any member believed the council had departed from the stated topics, the member should identify the substance of the departure for the record; no such statement was recorded in the transcript.