City commissioners met behind closed doors two separate times Thursday, but did not emerge with a settlement to avoid an upcoming trial with Wal-Mart.

“We’re still preparing for a Monday trial,” Mayor Mike Amyx said after commissioners left an executive session with their attorney Thursday afternoon.

Wal-Mart is suing the city over a decision to deny a building permit that would have allowed the retail giant to build a nearly 132,000-square-foot store at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

But Amyx said commissioners likely weren’t done discussing the case.

“We may have a need for more special meetings in the next couple of days,” Amyx said.

He wouldn’t say whether the city was seriously considering a settlement or what a settlement might entail.

Wal-Mart officials and a pair of Lawrence developers who own the property have alleged the city denied the permit for political reasons, which the city denies.

Douglas County District Court Judge Michael Malone is scheduled to hear arguments at 9 a.m. Monday.