Coachella Calls Special Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss City Manager, Litigation

Coachella's City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday evening with two items on the agenda—both in closed session, meaning the public won't have access to the discussions.

The first item involves the appointment of a new city manager. The city has been searching for someone to fill the role since November, when current manager Bill Pattison announced his retirement. The second item is a conference with legal counsel regarding the initiation of litigation in one unspecified potential case.

The special meeting comes one day after the council canceled its regularly scheduled public session that had been set for Wednesday, January 14. It continues an extended gap in public meetings—the council last held a regular session on December 10. Legal experts have said while state law doesn't require councils to meet on a specific schedule, official decisions cannot be made without properly noticed public meetings.

Those wishing to participate can attend in person at Coachella City Hall, 1515 Sixth Street, or join via Zoom. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Public comments on closed session items can be submitted in person, through Zoom's "raise hand" function, or by email to cityclerk@coachella.org by noon Thursday. 

Complete agenda packets are available at the City Clerk's Office at 53-462 Enterprise Way or on the city's website.