Port Hueneme Water Agency recesses to closed session over anticipated litigation tied to three-party water agreement

The Port Hueneme Water Agency recessed to closed session July 20 under Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) to discuss anticipated litigation tied to a three-party agreement on water credits and pumping allocations among the City of Port Hueneme, the City of Oxnard and Calleguas Municipal Water District. The closed-session item was read into the record by the agency attorney prior to the recess.

After the meeting resumed at 4:09 p.m., the agency attorney reported "there's no reportable action tonight." The attorney had earlier told the board counsel believed "significant exposure to litigation exists" based on the existing facts and circumstances surrounding the interagency agreement. The board disclosed no conflicts of interest for the closed-session item before recessing.

The item was placed on the agenda under the statutory authority cited during the meeting; the board did not announce any further public steps following the closed session. The agency indicated it will return to open discussion on related matters if or when a reportable action occurs or a public agenda item is agendized.