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Orange County supervisors approve multiple closed‑session settlements and authorize appeal in Mind OC lease dispute
Summary
The Orange County Board of Supervisors reported approval of several closed‑session settlements totaling millions of dollars and directed county counsel to appeal a partial preliminary injunction in the Mind OC ground‑lease dispute at 265 South Anita Drive.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors reported that, during closed‑session actions, it approved several settlements and authorized an appeal of a court order tied to the county’s terminated Mind OC ground lease at 265 South Anita Drive in Orange.
The most significant action was approval of a global $2,400,000 settlement of claims from multiple property owners who alleged damages to homes, trees and landscaping from the September 2024 airport fire. The board announced the settlement in closed session and said the agreement remains subject to final approvals by other parties; copies will be available through the county’s Office of CEO Risk Management once finalized.
The board also authorized payment of $369,323.48 in interest to a property owner as part of a $5,000,000 settlement in Orange County Flood Control District v. Fisher Scientific Company, LLC. The board said that interest payment will be made from Fund 404 reserve account and that the Flood Control District had acquired a necessary flowage easement over the defendant’s property in San Bernardino County. The settlement was announced as approved in closed session but was noted as still subject to final approval by other parties.
Other approvals reported in closed session included a proposed $364,983.80 workers’ compensation settlement in Alba Fierro v. County of Orange and a proposed $90,000 settlement in David Costanan v. County of Orange. In the Costanan matter, the transcript states the plaintiff’s vehicle was rear‑ended by a vehicle driven by an on‑duty Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigator; the plaintiff claimed damage to his vehicle and injuries to his neck, back and left shoulder.
The board delegated limited settlement authority to county risk management and outside counsel in the employment case of Dahlia Rodriguez, a former eligibility technician with the Social Services Agency who alleged retaliation, discrimination and failure to accommodate disabilities. The transcript reports that SCS 4 was continued to May 20, 2025.
On the Mind OC matter, the board authorized and directed County Counsel to appeal the partial grant of a preliminary injunction relating to termination of the ground lease at 265 South Anita Drive, and provided further direction to County Counsel. The board said copies of any final settlement or agreement will be made available through the Office of County Counsel for those who inquire.
All of the closed‑session approvals reported were taken by a vote of 4 to 0, with Supervisor Wagner recorded as absent for the votes. The board said it took no other reportable action in closed session. The next board meeting was announced for Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
