Alvarado council excuses absent mayor pro tem, approves agenda and moves into closed session over anticipated litigation

The Alvarado City Council approved its March 24, 2021, agenda, formally excused Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez from the meeting and voted to enter a closed session to consult with legal counsel about anticipated litigation.

City Attorney Lloyd Pilchon told the council, "The city council will be going into closed session on 1 item to meet with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation under code," but did not specify the code citation or the subject of the litigation. Pilchon also opened the period for public comment on that closed-session item and the clerk reported there were no callers signed up.

During roll call Clerk Brenda recorded Councilor Evans, Councilor Jeanette and Councilor Ramos as present; Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez was noted absent and Mayor Reyes was present. The council voted on a separate procedural motion to excuse Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez. The transcript records the roll-call responses on that motion as: Councilor Evans — No; Councilor Jeanette — Yes; Councilor Ramos — Yes; Mayor Reyes — Yes. The motion to excuse Hernandez was approved.

The council then approved the meeting agenda by voice/roll call, with the transcript recording all present members as voting yes. Mayor Reyes moved that the council go into closed session at 6:20 p.m.; the motion was seconded and the council entered closed session. The transcript records explicit support from Councilor Jeanette and Councilor Ramos and notes the council proceeded into closed session; the individual vote by Councilor Evans on that final motion is not recorded in the transcript.

The city did not provide additional details about the nature of the anticipated litigation on the public record during this portion of the meeting. The council met in closed session as announced; no formal action on the litigation was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.