Board schedules attorney‑client session on Eldridge Wild litigation, later approves filing a counterclaim

General Counsel David Jackson asked the board to hold an attorney‑client session to discuss litigation filed by WPC Industrial Contractors against the agency regarding the Eldridge Wild Project. Jackson said the special counsel and a court reporter were present and noted the request was placed on the current meeting agenda because scheduling and a time‑sensitive concern had arisen.

Commissioner Hanowicz opposed holding the attorney‑client session on the same day, citing the statutory requirement to give reasonable public notice. “Unless there is urgency as to why we would not give reasonable public notice, I don't see why we should be changing the way we've been doing things in the past,” Hanowicz said. Other board members said the matter could be handled at the February meeting but that scheduling factors supported convening the session the same day.

A motion to approve the attorney‑client session for the end of the agenda was moved and seconded; the board recorded the motion as passed 8 to 1. The board went into the private attorney‑client session pursuant to Florida Statute 286.0118 (the statute authorizing attorney‑client sessions), with general counsel, special counsel, the general manager and board members present along with a certified court reporter. Upon return to public session, the board recorded a subsequent motion to file a counterclaim in the pending lawsuit; that motion was moved and seconded and recorded as passing unanimously.

Minutes and the court‑reported record reflect the board followed the statutory process for convening the closed attorney‑client session and recorded the public votes authorizing the session and later authorizing the filing of a counterclaim.