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Montecito Water District board votes 5-0 to initiate litigation
Summary
On Jan. 19, 2026, the Montecito Water District Board voted 5-0 to initiate litigation (one case) after a closed-session meeting under Government Code §54956.9(d)(4); particulars will be disclosed upon formal commencement of the action.
Board President Brian Goebel called the special meeting of the Montecito Water District Board of Directors to order at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2026, then the board recessed into a closed session to consider initiation of litigation under Government Code §54956.9(d)(4).
The board returned to open session at 12:28 p.m. and recorded a vote of 5-0 in favor of initiating litigation (one case), providing direction to staff and counsel. The minutes state that the particulars of the litigation will be disclosed only upon formal commencement of the action, consistent with the Government Code citation listed on the agenda.
Directors recorded as present were Board President Brian Goebel, Vice President Cori Hayman, Director Kenneth Coates, Director Tobe Plough and Director Floyd Wicks. The minutes note that Directors Goebel, Hayman, Coates and Wicks participated in person while Director Plough participated remotely. General Manager and Board Secretary Nicholas Turner and Assistant General Manager/Engineering Manager Adam Kanold are listed as staff present. District counsel Walt Wendelstein and outside counsel Guillermo Frias participated via Zoom.
The board did not take any other publicly disclosed actions on the record at the meeting. The minutes state that staff and counsel were given direction related to the litigation; no motion text, mover/second, or additional details were included in the public minutes. The board adjourned at 12:28 p.m.
