Committee leaders informed members that the Tournament’s 501(c)(3) foundation is the defendant in a small-claims case filed by a man whose car was towed after parking near a no-parking sign on Mound Street. The committee says the signs were placed by city public works and that the car was towed by police for a city ordinance violation; the court hearing is scheduled for June 18.

Why it matters: The case names the nonprofit foundation (not the city committee directly) and could require staff time, a city statement, or legal response ahead of the June 18 hearing.

At the June 3 meeting the committee chair explained the facts: the man’s vehicle was towed on Oct. 19 after he parked in front of a no-parking sign. The chair said the plaintiff seeks $606 in damages. The chair told members the paperwork alleges the committee put the cones and signs out, and that the committee has asked the city to provide a statement that public works placed the signs. The chair said, “This is not something we were just doing on our own volition,” and added that the chief of police has been asked to provide a statement that the police cited and towed the car per city ordinance.

The chair also reported that the plaintiff has filed at least a dozen small-claims suits in the past year. The committee’s legal contact (Lucy) has involved the city attorney and risk management. Committee members had no further questions at the meeting.

Next steps: Legal staff and city officials will prepare statements for the committee’s defense before the June 18 small-claims hearing.