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Council member recuses over open-space advocacy; resident raises taxpayer risk before closed-session on litigation
Summary
At a June 16 special meeting, a Coronado Cays council member announced a recusal citing open-space advocacy, an online attendee questioned whether property owners would indemnify the town for litigation costs, and the council adjourned to closed session under Cal. Gov. Code §54956.9 to consider significant exposure to litigation.
A council member recused themselves from a Coronado Cays special meeting on Tuesday, June 16, saying their advocacy for open space required the step, and the council then adjourned to closed session to discuss significant exposure to litigation.
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order and the clerk took roll; Councilmember Andrews, Councilmember Beckman, Councilmember Ovazeo and Vice Mayor Cassisa were recorded present. During the meeting a council member announced, “I will be recusing myself from this special session, not because I have a bias against the applicant or any of the projects involved, but because I am an advocate for open space,” and said the determination required recusal.
During the public-comment portion on item 3A, the council unmuted an online attendee, Roy Wolford, who raised a financial concern about the matter scheduled for closed session. Wolford asked whether, if a group of property owners sought to restrict improvements on another resident’s private property and litigation followed, the town would be reimbursed by those property owners for legal expenses or whether taxpayers would ultimately bear the cost. “If the town becomes involved in defending or facilitating such a dispute, will the group of property owners driving the action be responsible for reimbursing the town and therefore the taxpayers for all legal expenses, win or lose?” he asked.
The transcript records no public response to Wolford’s questions before the council moved to adjourn. Mayor Thomas announced the body would recess to closed session to consider “significant exposure to litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9, paragraph 2, subdivision (d), one case,” and said the council would reconvene after the closed session ended.
No votes or further public actions were recorded in the transcript. The closed-session agenda item cited Gov. Code §54956.9 and was described as involving significant exposure to litigation; the transcript does not specify the parties, the subject matter of the potential litigation, or whether the town had a cost-recovery or indemnification agreement in place. The council did not state a timeline for reconvening in the public record included in the transcript.
