Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District recesses to closed session to confer on anticipated litigation

The Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District board recessed its special meeting for a closed session to confer with legal counsel about anticipated litigation under California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4), staff announced.

The announcement came after a brief roll call that showed Board member Melnick, Board member Putz, Board member Segovia, Vice Chair Hicks and Chair Herrick present; the record notes Chair Herrick participated remotely. Madam Secretary said there were no public speakers signed up for the meeting’s public-comment period, which the presiding officer had set at a three-minute maximum per speaker.

Mister Sund, responding to a query about closed-session items, said the board would “conference with legal counsel under anticipated litigation” and indicated one case would be discussed. The board then recessed open session and moved into closed session; the transcript does not record further details about the matter discussed or any votes taken in closed session.

The board’s use of Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4) allows a public agency to meet in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation when certain conditions are met. The district did not provide further public details about the subject, parties or timing of the litigation in the open session portion of the meeting.

Beyond the closed-session announcement, the meeting record in the transcript shows only the pledge of allegiance and routine roll call. No motions, ordinances, budget items or public comments on the litigation were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.