Costa Mesa council recesses to closed session to discuss potential litigation; resident urges settlement of Wallace property

The Costa Mesa City Council recessed to a closed session on Tuesday to discuss potential litigation and a threat to public services, after a member of the public urged the council to settle a lawsuit tied to the Wallace property.

The meeting was called to order by the presiding officer, who opened public comment and allowed one person three minutes to speak. The city clerk recorded that two council members were absent: “the record will reflect that all council is present except for council members Reynolds and Bewley,” the clerk said.

A public commenter said they had expected the council to consider a settlement that day and asked that the city resolve the matter. “It's regarding the Wallace property, basically,” the commenter said, adding, “hopefully, we can settle this litigation today.” The commenter also said they might return when the item appears on a future agenda.

The city clerk then read three closed-session items into the record: a conference with legal counsel regarding the anticipation of litigation for two cases under California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2); initiation of litigation for one case under California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4); and a consultation with Chief of Police Joyce Lapointe of the Costa Mesa Police Department concerning a threat to public services or facilities under California Government Code section 54957.

After the items were read, the council recessed to the community room for the closed-session discussion. No formal votes or outcomes on the matters were recorded on the public record at that time.

The council is expected to return to open session at the meeting’s posted time; any formal actions resulting from the closed session would be reported in the minutes or at a subsequent public meeting when permitted by law.