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Petaluma Council Adds Closed Session After City Is Named in New Federal Lawsuit
Summary
City Attorney Eric Denali asked the council to add a closed session after staff learned a federal lawsuit had been filed naming the City of Petaluma; the council voted to add the item and later reported no action after the closed session.
City Attorney Eric Denali told the Petaluma City Council on Jan. 5 that the city learned earlier that day a lawsuit had been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California titled United States of America v. City of Morgan Hill, City of Petaluma (Case No. 5:26‑CV‑00056‑BLF). Denali recommended the council add a closed session under the Brown Act exception that allows consideration of newly discovered matters requiring immediate action.
"The need for action came to the attention of the city only hours ago today when we were notified of the case," Denali said, and recommended the council add an item for conference with legal counsel on existing litigation. Mayor and council members discussed whether to take public comment on the late addition; Denali advised that the council could add the item by roll‑call vote and hear public comment before the closed session if the council wished.
Council Member Kate Thompson moved to add the closed session and the motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Nao, carried unanimously by roll call. The council recessed and later returned from closed session; Denali told the council there was "no action to report tonight." The council did not disclose further details in open session.
Why it matters: Adding a closed session allows the council to receive confidential legal advice and provide direction to staff on litigation strategy. Because the complaint was filed that day and had not yet been served, Denali said the short notice met the narrow Brown Act exception for urgent items.
Next steps: Denali and city staff will handle any necessary response consistent with legal confidentiality. The council did not announce subsequent public steps or a timetable for further public disclosure.
