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Paterson council approves multiple settlement resolutions; one member votes no
Summary
The City Council approved a set of resolutions authorizing settlements in several pending cases, adopting five items authorizing payouts for litigation or workers’ compensation claims. One council member criticized the administration’s role and voted against at least one settlement.
The Paterson City Council on May 13 approved several resolutions authorizing settlements in pending litigation and workers’ compensation matters, including items identified on the agenda as numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Item 9, described in the packet as “resolution authorizing settlement of pending litigation in the matter of Omar Ledesma versus City of Paterson Law, resolution number 25:239,” was moved and seconded and carried after roll call. The clerk recorded the vote as seven in favor, one against and one absent; the council announced the resolution as adopted.
Similar motions for item 6 (Gabriela Vasquez v. City of Paterson, resolution number 25:236), item 7 (Hilda Diaz, workers’ compensation, resolution number 25:236), item 8 (Scott Easton, workers’ compensation, resolution number 25:238) and item 10 (Fred W. Lehi v. City of Paterson, resolution number 25:240) were each moved, seconded and adopted by recorded roll calls during the special meeting.
During the roll call on one settlement, a council member said he was “not against this individual being rewarded for the abuse that he took,” then criticized the mayor and administration, saying the “administration caused this entire thing” and that “now the taxpayers are paying yet again.” He concluded his remarks by recording a “no” vote on that item.
Council members thanked corporate counsel and the city’s outside counsel for work on several cases. One speaker said, “Thank you, corporate counsel, for the diligent work with the outside attorney on this case. Save us taxpayer money. My vote is yes.”
Action details: Each resolution was moved and seconded and carried by roll call; the clerk announced the favorable tallies and declared the resolutions adopted. The meeting transcript lists the mover and second for specific items (for example, item 9 was moved by “councilman Zabela” and seconded by “councilman Velez” with roll call following). The minutes record vote tallies as reported in the meeting.
Why it matters: Settlement approvals commit city funds to resolve pending legal claims and workers’ compensation matters. Several council members framed the votes as necessary to prevent protracted litigation costs, while at least one member criticized the administration for creating avoidable liability.
