SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — At a special meeting on Jan. 13, 2026, the Santa Barbara City Council recessed into closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and later reported it had, by unanimous vote, given direction to initiate litigation.

The clerk read the agenda item as "Item 1, conference with city attorney anticipated litigation, government code subsection 54956.9(d)(4), initiation of litigation on 1 matter," putting the discussion under the Government Code provision that authorizes closed-session conferences with legal counsel on the initiation of litigation, the council record shows.

Council members did not open the item for public comment; the clerk stated none was requested. After the closed session the council reported: "Session and by unanimous vote provided direction to initiate litigation. No further reportable action was taken." The council then adjourned the special meeting to the regular council meeting scheduled for 2 p.m.

The agenda item gave the council authority to discuss starting litigation with the city attorney; the report out did not identify the subject of potential litigation or any next procedural steps beyond the council's direction. The transcript does not record a motion, named mover, or a roll-call vote tied explicitly to the litigation direction beyond the report of a unanimous decision.

The item was handled under California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4), the statute authorizing closed-session initiation of litigation. The council did not provide further details during the public record at the meeting's conclusion, and no additional reportable actions were announced there.