MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY3.2025 CITY COUNCILI SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL meeting of the Hopewell City Council was held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: John B. Partin, Mayor Rita Joyner, Vice Mayor Ronnie Ellis, Councilor Michael Harris, Councilor (Virtual) Susan Daye, Councilor Yolanda Stokes, Councilor Dominic Holloway, Councilor SUGGESTED MOTION: Move to go into a closed meeting pursuant to Va. Codes 2.2-3711(A)(1) to discuss and consider board and commission appointments (Board of Zoning Appeals and Bright Point Community College) and the assignment and performance ofspecific appointees and employees of City Council, and, and to the extent such discussion will be aided thereby Prior to the roll call, the city attorney suggested that the motion include a provision to consult with legal counsel for specific legal advice related to these matters. This will be done in accordance with Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)1 for personnel discussions and Section 2.2-3711 (A)8 for legal consultation. The mayor agreed, and the Roll call proceeded. Councilor Holloway makes a motion to move into a closed meeting in accordance with Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)1 to discuss and consider appointments to various boards and commissions, specifically the Board ofZoning Appeals, Bright Point Community College, and Hopewell Redevelopment Housing Authority. It also includes discussions on the assignment and performance of specific city council appointees and employees, provided the discussion is aided by such conversations. Additionally, the motion calls for legal consultation under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)8 to seek specific legal advice related to these matters. Vice Mayor Joyner seconds the motion. ROLL CALL Councilor Stokes- Councilor Holloway- Vice Mayor Joyner- Councilor Harris- Mayor Partin- Councilor Ellis- Councilor Daye- Motion Passes 6-0 Yes Yes Yes Abstain Yes Yes Yes Councilor Daye makes a motion to allow Councilor Harris to participate virtually. Vice Mayor Joyner seconds the motion. ROLL CALL Councilor Stokes- Councilor Holloway- Vice Mayor Joyner- Councilor Harris- Mayor Partin- Councilor Ellis- Councilor Daye- Motion Passes 6-0 Yes Yes Yes Abstain Yes Yes Yes Councilor Holloway makes a motion to come out of closed meeting. Councilor Ellis seconds the motion. ROLL CALL Councilor Stokes- Councilor Holloway- Vice Mayor Joyner- Councilor Harris- Mayor Partin- Councilor Ellis- Councilor Daye- Motion Passes 7-0 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes CERTIFICATION PURSUANT: TO VIRGINIA CODE $ 2.2-3712 (D): Were only public business matters (I) lawfully exempted from open-meeting requirements and (2) identified in the closed-meeting motion discussed in closed meeting? ROLL CALL Councilor Stokes- Councilor Holloway- Vice Mayor Joyner- Councilor Harris- Mayor Partin- Councilor Ellis- Councilor Daye- Motion Passes 7-0 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Councilor Holloway makes a motion to appoint Anthony Bessette as the new City Councilor Stokes began by wishing the community a happy Black History Month. She then expressed her concerns about filling the current position, stating that she could not support a non-competitive process, as only one applicant was presented for consideration. She mentioned that she would have preferred to see more competition for the position, and this was the reason for her vote. Attorney. Vice Mayor Joyner seconds the motion. ROLL CALL Councilor Stokes- Councilor Holloway- Vice Mayor Joyner- Councilor Harris- Mayor Partin- Councilor Ellis- Councilor Daye- Motion Passes 6-1 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ADJOURNMENT: Respectfully Submitted, RE 6 Nitina Brittani Williams, City Clerk