Deputy City Attorney requests closed session on pending litigation; committee moves to withhold disclosure

Deputy City Attorney Cheryl Adams told the Rules Committee the city seeks a closed session to discuss pending claims and litigation. She cited the statutory basis listed in the transcript: "government code section 5 4 9 6.9 a" and "San Francisco administrative code section 6 7.1 d" and said "discussion in open session concerning these matters would likely and unavoidably prejudice the position of the city in the pending suits or claims."

Following the request, the transcript records a motion "to not disclose" and committee members indicating support: "Motion to not disclose. Move forward." The transcript does not include a formal roll-call vote or further public details about the litigation or claims.

Why it matters: Closed-session meetings under Government Code section 54956.9(a) are used to permit confidential discussion of pending litigation; such sessions limit public disclosure to protect the city's litigation position. The transcript shows the committee sought to proceed in closed session and to withhold disclosure in open session.

What happens next: The committee indicated it would meet in closed session; the transcript contains no further public record of the matters discussed or any subsequent public action.