While public agencies across Orange County meet each week to hash out tough issues facing taxpayers, the most daunting public policy questions typically are discussed and often decided behind closed doors.
It’s called the “closed session,” and under exceptions to the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law, officials may meet in private to discuss a limited number of topics, including legal issues, property negotiations and employee contracts and evaluations.
While they may meet in secret, California law requires public agencies to reveal some basic information about what will be discussed in closed session.
Here is a rundown of some of the topics that will be discussed behind closed doors this week in Orange County:
Irvine City Council, Tuesday, July 26
- Whether to initiate litigation over elimination of redevelopment agencies.
- A lawsuit against the city of Irvine by a person named Burghardt.
Newport Beach City Council, Tuesday, July 26
- Considering appointment of a new city attorney.
- Existing litigation with Pacific Shores, Newport Coast Recovery, Yellowstone Recovery and MORN.
- Possible litigation against Morningside Recovery for failure to comply with a zoning agreement.
- Potential litigation against Pacific Shores Recovery to enforce terms of its reasonable accommodation and abate violations of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
- Potential litigation against Yellowstone Recovery to abate violations of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
- Negotiations with labor groups.
- Negotiations with the State Lands Commission over Marina Park Mobile Home Park.
Buena Park City Council, Tuesday, July 26
- Negotiations with labor groups.
- Negotiations over properties on Artesia Boulevard and on Beach Boulevard.
- Negotiating with Knott’s Berry Farm over property on Western Avenue.
- Unidentified anticipated litigation.
Orange City Council, Tuesday, July 26
- Negotiations with labor groups.