HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-2020 Minutes MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 23,2020
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Johnson called the special session to order at 5:00 PM in the Commission Chambers of
City Hall; and further, asked City Attorney Cookson to provide instructions concerning this
meeting.
City Attorney Cookson explained the City has an interest in a litigation matter that will be
discussed this evening. The litigation matter is:
STATE OF FLORIDA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RELATION
COMMISSION, CASE NUMBER CA-2020-003, LOCAL NUMBER 3623,
OCOEE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS V. CITY OF OCOEE
This case is pending litigation, and involves a claim against the City. As required by Florida
Statutes, 286.011(8), City Attorney Cookson stated he previously notified the City Commission
the desire to have advice concerning this litigation, and/or to discuss with the City Commission
in a closed session, matters related to settlement negotiations. Florida Statutes provides limited
exceptions to the Sunshine Laws for City Attorneys to meet in private with the City Commission
to discuss pending litigation into which the City is a party. As required by Florida Law,
reasonable notice of the closed session had been provided which identified the time and the date
of the closed attorney-client session, and names of the persons who would be attending. The
entire session will be recorded by a certified court reporter, and no portion of the session may be
off the record. The court reporter's notes will be fully transcribed for this matter and filed with
the City Clerk. At the conclusion of the litigation, the transcript of the meeting for this particular
matter will become a public record. City Attorney Cookson explained it is not permissible to
leave the meeting to consult with other persons regarding the subject matter of the meeting.
Following the conclusion of the closed session, it will be necessary for the City Commission to
meet in public in order to adjourn the meeting. The agenda has been structured so as to allow for
public action by the City Commission should such action be necessary following the closed
session.
Those attending the closed session were Mayor Johnson, Commissioner Brinson,
Commissioner Wilsen, Commissioner Firstner, Commissioner Oliver, City Attorney Scott
Cookson, City Manager Rob Frank, Litigation Attorney Jeff Mandel and their court
reporter. City Attorney Cookson shared it is estimated that the closed attorney session would
last between 30-60 minutes. Following the conclusion of the attorney-client closed session, the
special session meeting will be re-opened in order to announce the termination of the closed
session, and to take such actions as the City Commission may deem appropriate.
Special Session Commission Meeting
September 23, 2020
The City Commission moved their closed session to the City Hall Conference Room at 5:02 PM.
After the closed session, Mayor Johnson announced the following: I hereby re-open the Special
Session of the City Commission, and announce that the closed attorney-client session has been
terminated. The time is 6:10 PM. Unless there are any comments from the members of the City
Commission, this Special Meeting of the City Commission is hereby concluded.
ADJOURNMENT
APPROVED:
Attest: City of Ocoee
.A/j/c44.__
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnso or
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