Costa Mesa council recesses to closed session to consider litigation; two suits named

The Costa Mesa City Council recessed into closed session on Sept. 9, 2025, to consider initiating up to four litigation matters and to confer with legal counsel on two existing lawsuits, the city clerk announced.

Madam Clerk read closed-session agenda titles listing “initiation of litigation for 4 cases pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9(d)” and two existing-litigation items under California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): RDK Group Holdings v. City of Costa Mesa and City of Costa Mesa v. Pacific Shores Recovery, both in Orange County Superior Court.

The clerk’s reading preceded a recess to the community room for the closed session. The clerk also noted no members of the public spoke during the public-comment opportunity for closed session items.

Council members present at roll call were Council Member Perez, Council Member Violi, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez and Mayor Stevens. Council Members Reynolds, Marr and Gameros were listed as absent.

Because the matters were discussed in closed session, the transcript and the clerk’s announcement did not disclose any further details about the substance of the discussions or any decisions made. The council’s authority to discuss and initiate litigation in closed session was cited under California Government Code section 54956.9(d) and (d)(1).