CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
October 9, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Carol A.
Gamble, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr and Council Members L. Anthony Beall, Anne D.
Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
The City Council convened in Closed Session, in the City Council Conference Room or Emergency Operations Center Conference Room, City Hall, to consider the following matters:
1.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9.
Name of case: Michelle R. Jackson dba Law Offices of Michelle R. Jackson, Petitioner v.
City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Respondent; Petition for Writ of Mandate; Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01419113-CU-WM-WJC.
1.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9.
Name of case: Virginia Thomas v. City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, Andre Landscape; Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01396694-CU-PO-CJC.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM
Mayor Gamble announced the following eComments received:
Shawn Gordon regarding Item No. 1.1 Existing Litigation.
Tammy Carone regarding Item No. 1.1 Existing Litigation.
The following individual addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 9, 2024
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared his thoughts regarding the Michelle Jackson lawsuit and stated he thought the reason the Council converted to Districts was to avoid getting sued.
Council Member Beall noted there are public records available from the City relating to the issue and confirmed the City has been ready, willing and able to pay from day one if the attorney involved would provide to the City the backup documentation that is provided for by statute to be delivered to the City.
ADJOURN TO CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM OR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened in Closed Session at 5:07 p.m., to consider the matters listed above.
RECONVENE TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 6:09 p.m., in the City Council Chambers.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney, reported that the City Council convened in Closed Session pursuant to the authority identified on the agenda, as a result of the closed session there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gamble adjourned the meeting at 6: 10 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, OctobEK_ 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho San,a Margarita, Caiifprnia. . 1\MBLE,
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MAYOR
PREPARED BY:
Approved: October 23, 2024
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