National City council moves into closed session to discuss lawsuit and workers' compensation claim

The National City council convened in closed session during its meeting to consider two legal matters — an existing lawsuit and a workers' compensation claim — which the city attorney identified as Bandari v. City of National City and a claim by Michael Shanahan.

Mayor Morrison opened the meeting and directed the council into closed session, telling attendees that the council would "be reporting out later on," before turning the floor to the city attorney to describe the specific items.

The city attorney said there were two matters on the closed-session agenda: "one involving existing litigation, and that is the case of Bandari versus City of National City," and "a liability claim... the claimant is Michael Shanahan." The city attorney spoke immediately after the mayor's announcement.

Before the closed session announcement the mayor reviewed public-participation procedures, saying members of the public could submit general comments or item-specific comments in person with a salmon-colored speaker slip or by email up to four hours before the meeting; written comments received by the deadline would be distributed to council and posted on the city's website. The record taken at roll call noted Council member Molina and Council member Busch were absent.

Vice Mayor Yamane led the Pledge of Allegiance. The council opened the public-comment period for agenda items and the clerk reported there were no speaker slips.

The council took an approximately five-minute recess to gather paperwork before starting the regular meeting; the mayor said the council would provide a report out of closed session at the end of the meeting.

No votes or final outcomes on either matter were disclosed in the public record during the portion of the meeting covered by the transcript.