Selma City Council to recess into closed session over pending lawsuit

The Selma City Council announced it would recess into closed session at the start of its Feb. 18, 2025 special meeting to discuss existing litigation involving the city.

City staff told the council the matter would be handled under California Government Code §54957.9(d)(1), noting an existing case captioned Frank Santion v. City of Selma City Council, City of Selma, Fresno County Superior Court case number 21CEC G00155. "Thank you. With that, we are going to recess into closed session where the following items will be discussed," the staff member said as the meeting moved to closed session.

Why it matters: Government Code §54957.9(d)(1) authorizes closed-session conferences with legal counsel regarding existing litigation. The council did not discuss details of the claim in public during the portion of the transcript provided; no public action on the litigation was recorded before the recess.

The meeting opened with roll call and an announcement of teleconference procedures and public-comment rules. The staff member reminded members of the public that remarks were limited to three minutes and that items not on the agenda would be referred to the city manager for review. "At this time, any member of the public may address city council regarding any item on the special meeting agenda over which council has jurisdiction. No action or discussion will be taken on any item not on the agenda. Issues raised will be referred to the city manager for review," the staff member said.

The transcript shows the litigation item was listed as the first closed-session topic; the council then recessed into closed session. The public record in the provided transcript contains no further public deliberation or vote on the litigation item.