San Juan Capistrano council member recuses from litigation item; council moves to closed session

The San Juan Capistrano City Council convened a special executive session on March 4. During roll call, a council member announced they would recuse themselves from one agenda item related to anticipated litigation, and the council then moved into a closed executive session.

The meeting opened with the clerk calling roll. Council member Hart and Council member Taylor answered present; Mayor Boren stated he was present. The presiding officer noted that Council member Frias and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell would join the meeting shortly. The clerk reported there were no speaker request forms.

When the presiding officer asked whether any council member needed to abstain from anything on the agenda, an unidentified council member replied, "Yes, mayor," and said, "At the advice of council, I'm recusing from 1 item under anticipated litigation." No further details about the subject of the anticipated litigation or the identity of the recused member appear in the provided transcript.

After a brief exchange of colloquial remarks, the presiding officer announced, "The city council will now go to executive session," and the meeting moved into closed session. The provided transcript records no public votes or further discussion of the litigation item.

The transcript does not specify the agenda number, the identity of the recused member, or the precise legal matter identified as anticipated litigation. The council's statement indicates the recusal was made "at the advice of council," but no public explanation or supporting documents were recorded in the available transcript.