Special City Commission Meeting for Attorney-Client Session and Settlement Vote - March 20, 2025
Special City Commission Meeting for Attorney-Client Session and Settlement Vote - March 20, 2025
The Dunedin City Commission held a special meeting on March 20, 2025, at 3:30 PM. The meeting began with an open session to announce a closed attorney-client session regarding pending litigation, Steven Stentz v. The City of Dunedin, U.S. District Court of Appeal, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, Case No. 8:23-cv-1321. The closed session, estimated to last 60 minutes, was held from 3:32 PM to approximately 4:28 PM to discuss settlement negotiations and strategy related to litigation expenditures. Upon reconvening in public session, the Commission voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement as presented. No public comments were received.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the open session.
Discussion Items
- The Commission held a closed attorney-client session from 3:32 PM to 4:28 PM. The content of that session is confidential and not part of the public record until the conclusion of the litigation per Florida Statute.
- After reopening, Commissioner Tom Dugard moved to approve the settlement agreement as presented, seconded by Commissioner Robert Walker. No further discussion was held by the Commission.
Key Outcomes
- The motion to approve the settlement agreement passed unanimously (5-0): Mayor Maureen "Moe" Freaney, Vice Mayor Jeff Gow, Commissioner Robert Walker, Commissioner Steven Sandbergen, and Commissioner Tom Dugard all voted in favor. No dissenting votes.
- The meeting adjourned at 4:29 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, everybody ready? Oh, we're gonna let him put the tissue in the seat. Okay, we're gonna call the meeting to order. And uh this is uh city commission is now commencing a private attorney client shade session regarding pending litigation to which the city is presently a party. Stephen Stents versus the City of Dunedin, U.S. District Court of Appeal, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division Case number eight twenty-three CV 1321, pursuant to Florida statute two eight six point zero one eight in parentheses to discuss settlement negotiations and strategy related to litigation expenditures. It is estimated that the meeting will take approximately sixty minutes. The names of the persons attending the session will be Mayor Maureen Mofrany, Commissioner slash Vice Mayor Jeff Gow, Commissioner Robert Walker, Commissioner Steven Sandbergen, Commissioner Tom Dugard, City Manager Jennifer Bramley, City Attorney Jennifer Cohen, Litigation Counsel Thomas Brink, and the court reporter. So we will now recess into the client, the attorney client session. Yep. No. And I can talk about it. Something good. Oh, of course. No, no. You want me from the other side to set? Okay. Well, you it's all yours. Okay. I'm just the other. All right. Thank you. No, it's not. No, I still don't know if we need it. Can you see oh maybe we should have seen the same? Yeah, I think that's a good question. Yes. I am, thank you. Oh, okay. Okay, we've just concluded our attorney client session, so I'm going to reopen the meeting to the public. And um I uh and again, this is regarding um the Stephen Stence versus City of Dunedin. Um I'd ask if any of my colleagues have a motion. I have a motion. And would motion would be to approve settlement. It would be to approve settlement as presented. Okay. Do I have a second? Second. Okay, and I have a second. All in favor? Oh wait, I'm sorry. Still in a motion and a second, so we need to ask if there's any public. Oh, okay. Good enough. Okay. I have a motion and I have a second to approve settlement agreement. Is there anyone in the public that wishes to come forward and speak to this issue? Okay, seeing none, I'll close public input. And should this be uh a voice vote or uh you know um you can handle it any way you want. You can do it all in favor if you want.
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