Wal-Mart executives sure didn’t waste any time in contacting San Juan Capistrano officials after my post on the city’s interest in bringing the retailer to town.

The city council was supposed to discuss the invitation again at its last meeting on Tuesday. The idea was to give a developer 120 days to negotiate exclusively with Wal-Mart. But Mayor Londres Uso said Voice of OC’s coverage of the issue was “better than any RFP (request for proposal)” and that Wal-Mart came straight to the city when it heard the news.

The council made it clear that the city was still offering a level playing field to other suitors. Councilman Mark Nielsen said the city should be negotiating with big-box retailers of all kinds, including Target and Fry’s Electronics.

“We are open to all offers – anything that’s a reasonable serious offer – Uso and I would be more than happy to meet with them,” said Councilman Sam Allevato.

— ADAM ELMAHREK

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