Council ratifies multiple settlements after executive session, including $20,427 property-damage payment

The Gulfport City Council returned from an executive session and approved several settlement actions, including accepting $20,427.16 from an insurer to resolve a city property-damage claim.

City Attorney Jim Bruni told the public the council had met in closed session to discuss four litigation matters: a suit involving Katina Parker, a workers’ compensation claim by Christian Otis, an eminent-domain-related dispute with DND Towing, and an automobile-incident case involving damage to city property. After the session, the council authorized specific settlements recorded in the public meeting.

The council authorized the city attorney’s office to accept $20,427.16 from Direct Auto Insurance and Robert Decody in settlement of the city’s property-damage claim arising from an incident dated May 28, 2022. The council then ratified a proposed resolution from the city’s insurer, Travelers Insurance Company, to resolve litigation in a matter involving Jason Cuevas and Katina Parker; the council approved the insurer-led settlement as presented.

A third motion authorized “full and final settlement of all injury” connected to an incident dated Jan. 4, 2011; the transcript records the council’s approval but does not state a dollar amount. Council members recorded those votes as approved by voice vote; the transcript indicates no further official action in closed session.

The council did not provide additional settlement terms or dollar amounts for the Parker or Jan. 4, 2011 matters in the public portion of the transcript beyond motions to approve and recorded voice votes. The city attorney noted that no official action beyond the recorded approvals was taken in closed session.