The Reidsville city council voted to table the employment matter related to the former assistant police chief Tuesday night following a nearly two hour executive session.
At the center of discussion of the special-called meeting was Jermaine Snell, a former Reidsville Police Department employee who was terminated earlier this month.
The council chambers were standing room only with members of the public, city employees – including all of the city policy officers, and supporters of Snell.
The meeting opened as normal, but council immediately voted to go into executive session to speak with the legal counsel of GIRMA, the city’s insurer, and their own city attorney, DuAnn Davis.
Councilman Dan Bennett asked the city attorney why the discussion could not be held in an open meeting. Davis told council members that the discussion dealt with potential litigation and therefore warranted a closed session. City clerk Nivea Jackson also cited personnel as the reason for the closed sessions.
Under the Georgia Open Meetings Act, governing bodies are permitted to go into executive session for limited purposes, though the law does not require them to do so. Traditionally, however, municipal attorneys recommend that local government officials take advantage of the privilege to discuss in closed session.
Council members went into executive session at 5:02 p.m. and remained in there until almost 7:00 p.m.
Upon returning tot heir seats, Councilman Donald Prestage made a motion to table the matter until council could consult further with the GIRMA attorney. The motion was seconded and approved 4-1 with Councilwoman Verdie Williams opposing.
Council did not announce a date or time that they expect to bring the matter back for a vote. City officials have been divided on the employment of Snell for months, but particularly since learning the details of his well-documented personnel file.
You can read more about that, and the basis for his termination, in the link below.
