HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-06-2023 City Council Minutes - Special Closed Session
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Council Minutes
December 6, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Council Members
Present:
Council Member Emily Francis, Council Member Jan Marx,
Council Member Michelle Shoresman, Vice Mayor Andy Pease,
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
City Staff Present: Derek Johnson, City Manager, Christine Dietrick, City Attorney,
Teresa Purrington, City Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Special Closed Session Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council was
called to order on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Mayor Stewart.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA ONLY
Public Comment:
Yiming Luo
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of
Section 54956.9. No. of potential cases: One.
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local
agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and
circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local
agency. The existing facts and circumstances exposing the City to litigation are
set forth in a letter from Kevin I. Shenkman, Attorney at Law, on behalf of his client
Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, alleging that the City’s current at-
large election system for the election of City Council members and the Mayor
violates the California Voting Rights Act and demanding that the City transition to
by district elections. Mr. Shenkman’s letter dated February 17, 2023, is on file and
available for review in the City Clerk’s Office located at 990 Palm Street.
ACTION: City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that no reportable action was
taken.
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4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of
Section 54956.9. No. of potential cases: One.
A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local
agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and
circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local
agency. The existing facts and circumstances exposing the City to litigation are
set forth in a letter from attorney Paul J. Beard on behalf of “a coalition of
concerned South Higuera business and property owners.” Mr. Beard’s letter
dated September 13, 2023, is on file and available for review in the City Clerk’s
Office located at 990 Palm Street.
ACTION: City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that no reportable action was
taken.
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code §54956.9; Name of case:
Pamela Langley, Edward Marquez, Christina Malmen, individuals v. City of San
Luis Obispo, a municipality; and DOES 1 to 10, inclusive; United Stated District
Court Central District of California Case No. 2:21-cv-07479.
ACTION: City Attorney Christine Dietrick indicated that no reportable action was
taken.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The City Council will hold a rescheduled
Regular Meeting on January 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. The regularly scheduled meeting of
January 2, 2024, was rescheduled to the following week due to the New Year's
holiday; this action was approved on November 14, 2023, during the Council's
annual review of the 2024 Council Meeting Schedule.
The Regular Meeting of December 19, 2023, will be canceled, as approved by
Council on December 13, 2022 (see approved minutes) during their annual
review of the 2023 Council Meeting Schedule.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 01/09/2024