From The Mountain Mail (Salida):  Salida city administration responded Monday to Salida attorney Jeff Auxier’s statements about possible Colorado Sunshine Law violations.

Auxier, who is in an ongoing legal battle with the city, recently suggested that Salida City Council violated the open meeting law by making a decision in an executive session Nov. 5.

“We don’t comment on ongoing litigation,” Salida City Administrator Dara MacDonald said. “Our insurance is handling the case and consults with us over how to handle cases.”

“Council was made aware of the lawsuit on Nov. 5,” MacDonald said. “CIRSA suggested we should file a motion to dismiss.” The city has an insurance policy with the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA); its deductible for this legal case is $25,000.

The minutes from a council meeting Nov. 5 mention an executive session reviewing the budget case, but do not include any information about a decision being made regarding the case.

“During the Nov. 19 council meeting, the new council did not direct us to change direction from the recommendation from CIRSA or the direction of the previous council,” MacDonald said.

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