Carson Reclamation Authority reports settlement reached in closed session; officials praise progress on 157-acre redevelopment

The Carson Reclamation Authority reported Tuesday that closed-session talks over pending litigation with Cam Carson LLC have produced final settlement terms, and authority counsel said the executed agreement will be presented publicly at the board’s next regular meeting.

The announcement came after the authority convened a special meeting Oct. 22 and went into closed session under Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) to discuss pending litigation. “There has been final terms reached in the settlement agreement in the settlement,” Authority counsel Gerard said when the board returned to open session, and he added, “the final executed version of the settlement agreement will be presented, publicly at the next board’s, regular meeting.” The litigation is styled Cam Carson LLC v. Carson Reclamation Authority, City of Carson and successor agency to the Carson Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles Superior Court case number 20STCV16461, counsel said during the meeting.

Board members used the open-session remarks to describe construction progress tied to the authority’s 157-acre redevelopment site and to flag community events. “For the 157 acres, it has been a blight in our community for over 50 plus years,” Board Member Aldridge Jr. said, adding that recent work has given the board and staff reason for optimism. City Manager (name not specified) described active infrastructure work, saying crews were “installing the manholes, for the sewer and the storm drain in the Leonardo [area] ... shooting 25, 30 feet down” and that much of the site requires new street construction rather than resurfacing. The city manager added that contractors and site-management teams are in place and the project is “tremendously complicated” and expensive.

Mayor (title only) also spoke during the open session, noting the city’s finances and upcoming events. “I’m proud to say that we’re sitting on $220,000,000 surplus in our general fund,” the mayor said, and invited residents to a ribbon-cutting scheduled for 10 a.m. the next morning for a new amphitheater on the grounds of the Carson Community Center. The mayor also listed future openings planned for Carriage Crest Park, Scott Park and Mills Park.

Board Member Thomas thanked staff and counsel for their work on the litigation and redevelopment. “I just love the team, you know, when people are dedicated to doing what we need to do for the city,” Thomas said. Authority Chair Davis Holmes and other board members similarly praised staff, contractors and outside advisors for progress on road and utility work and for what they called stronger prospects for retail along the freeway frontage now that SALTO is again involved in the project.

The board did not take any public vote on the settlement during the special meeting. Counsel’s statement that a final executed settlement will be presented at the next regular meeting indicates the authority intends to place the document on a future open-agenda for public review and any formal action.

Asides during the meeting referenced remediation work and upcoming public programming related to the redevelopment. City Manager (name not specified) said staff members will continue technical work and coordination with contractors and counsel as the site’s roadway and utility infrastructure advance. No specific financial terms of the reported settlement, nor a timetable for final execution beyond the next regular meeting, were disclosed during the session.