Mayor affirms March 4 closed Gunnison City Council meeting was for litigation strategy

Michael Wanner, Mayor of Gunnison City, filed a sworn statement dated March 6, 2026, affirming that a closed meeting of the Gunnison City Council on March 4, 2026, was held solely to discuss "strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation" under Utah Code § 52-4-205(2).

The document, titled "Gunnison City Sworn Statement of Presiding Officer for Closed Meeting," says the closed meeting’s purpose was limited to matters permitted by the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act and that the closed meeting was conducted in accordance with the Act. In the statement Wanner wrote, "I, Michael Wanner, Mayor of Gunnison City and presiding officer of the Gunnison City Council, do hereby affirm that the sole purpose for closing the meeting held on the 4th day of March, 2026, was to discuss matters permitted under the following provisions of Utah Code § 52-4-205: Subsection 52-4-205(2) – Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation."

The sworn statement is dated March 6, 2026, and includes an attestation block signed by Valerie Andersen, City Recorder. The document lists Gunnison City’s address (38 West Center Street, Gunnison, UT 84634), a contact phone number (435-528-7969), and names the mayor and council members. The statement provides the legal basis cited for the meeting closure but does not provide details about the litigation discussed.

No motions or votes are recorded in the document. The sworn statement functions as the official presiding-officer attestation required under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act when a public body closes a meeting for a permitted purpose.