On June 3, members of the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee were informed that the committee's affiliated 501(c)(3) foundation is named in a small-claims lawsuit seeking $606 related to a vehicle towed on Oct. 19 near a float site.

Committee leaders said the man who filed the claim was parked on Mound Street in front of a no-parking sign and that the filing alleges the committee placed the cones and signage. The committee has asked the city to provide a statement confirming that public works installed the signs and has requested a statement from the chief of police that the tow and citation were carried out under city ordinance. The committee reported that the case is scheduled for June 18.

Committee members stressed that the action is against the 501(c)(3) foundation, not the committee acting in its official capacity. The committee chair said, "This is not something we were just doing on our own volition," and reported that the paperwork indicated the plaintiff may have used the foundation's public website in preparing the claim.

Staff told the committee that the case has been referred to the city attorney and the city risk management office for review. Committee members also reported that the individual who filed the claim has submitted at least 12 other small-claims cases in the last year, according to court records referenced by the committee.

No formal committee vote or settlement decision was made at the meeting; members said they will await responses from the city attorney, the chief of police, and risk management before deciding on any further action.