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Commission schedules closed attorney‑client sessions on pending litigation; meeting set for Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.
Summary
The commission approved a resolution authorizing attorney‑client (shade) sessions to discuss three pending cases and set a closed session for Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Commissioners and outside counsel will meet with a court reporter; records of the closed sessions become public when each case concludes.
The City of Stuart City Commission approved a resolution authorizing attorney‑client (closed or ‘‘shade’’) sessions to discuss multiple pending litigation matters and set a date for the closed meeting.
City Attorney Lee Baggett explained the purpose and procedure for attorney‑client sessions under Florida law: the commission may meet in closed session with the city attorney and outside counsel to discuss litigation strategy, and a court reporter will record the closed session; the reporter’s transcript becomes public once the underlying case is resolved. Baggett said he had identified three pending matters that warrant closed discussion and suggested meeting dates to accommodate outside counsel’s availability.
Commission discussion reviewed scheduling options. After back‑and‑forth on dates and counsel availability, the commission adopted the resolution to schedule a closed attorney‑client session on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. during which city commissioners, city manager, city attorney and outside counsel will meet; a court reporter will transcribe the session as required for closed litigation discussions.
Baggett listed the cases to be discussed in closed session: City of Stuart v. Northpoint Ventures, LLC; Behavioral Health Centers LLC v. City of Stuart; and Giant Oil, Inc. v. City of Stuart. Commissioners and members of the public who spoke during the item stressed the need for transparency while also acknowledging the legal requirement to discuss privileged settlement and strategy matters in private.
The resolution passed unanimously on roll call. The commission instructed staff to publish the required notice for the scheduled attorney‑client session.
