Council continues Gethsemane lawsuit settlement item to await joint consent-decree drafts

San Luis City Council continued consideration of a proposed settlement agreement and related consent decree in the federal lawsuit Gethsemane Baptist Church v. City of San Luis, city attorney K. Mary McQuill said. McQuill said outside counsel and the church’s attorneys are finalizing a settlement agreement and a joint proposed consent decree and asked the council to continue the item until those documents are ready.

McQuill said the drafts were expected to be complete by Friday and that staff might call a special meeting when a quorum was available. A council member asked who filed the lawsuit; McQuill stated "The Gethsemane sued the city." Council discussed potential continuance dates but ultimately approved a motion to continue the item and hoped a quorum would be available for the next meeting if staff scheduled it.

The council did not take any settlement vote or execute documents during the Sept. 16 meeting. The action recorded in the minutes is a continuance to a future meeting when the joint motion and consent-decree drafts are ready for consideration.