Council approves post-certification for outside counsel billing in Velasquez case; some members request executive-session briefing

Parma City Council adopted Resolution 158-25, approving the city auditor’s post-certification of requisitions that included an outside-counsel billing of $35,591.03 related to the matter of Velasquez v. Parma, a lawsuit arising from a police pursuit. The law director explained the invoice arose from the insurance company’s outside counsel handling litigation matters after a billing arrangement changed. Council members pressed the law director and insurance representatives for detail about the litigation, including whether the claim had a stated damages request and how outside counsel is invoked under the city’s insurance policy. The law director said the matter remains in litigation and is on the common pleas docket; he declined to discuss specifics beyond confirming litigation is ongoing. Several council members asked for an executive-session briefing on the case. One member said an executive session would be needed to discuss litigation and possible settlement strategy. Another member noted the bills arrived late due to billing handling and asked that council receive more information so that future insurance renewals and fiscal exposure can be evaluated. The resolution authorizing the post-certification payments passed by roll call. Council members recorded a request that the law director provide written questions and that the issue be scheduled for closed-session consideration so members can review claims and the city’s legal posture.