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McAlester council denies tort claim, authorizes outside counsel and adjusts interim city manager pay
Summary
The council denied an OMAG‑recommended denial of a tort claim related to a sewer backup, authorized the city attorney to hire outside counsel in Bedford v. City of McAlester (CV‑25‑141), and approved an undisclosed compensation adjustment for the interim city manager following executive session.
The McAlester City Council voted to deny a tort claim submitted to the city’s insurer and took actions after two executive sessions to authorize outside counsel in pending litigation and to adjust the interim city manager’s compensation.
Claim and denial: City staff said the claim (No. 216946‑1‑DD), submitted after a sewer backup into a house, was investigated by the city and by the city’s insurer, the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG). OMAG recommended denial because it found no city liability. Jared (staff) inspected the site and told the council the city’s work in the area did not cause the homeowner’s damage. The council voted to deny the claim; the denial allows the claimant to file suit in district court if they choose.
Executive sessions and follow‑up votes: The council recessed into executive session under 25 O.S. § 307(B)(4) to receive confidential attorney‑client communications about Bedford v. City of McAlester (case CV‑25‑141) and under 25 O.S. § 307(B)(1) to discuss the employment of the interim city manager. When the council returned to open session, it voted to authorize the city attorney to employ outside counsel in Bedford v. City of McAlester and then voted to adjust the interim city manager’s compensation "as discussed in executive session." The meeting record does not state the compensation amount.
Other procedural votes: The council also approved consent agenda items (items b through l), approved a separate consent item 8, and repeatedly convened as the McAlester Airport Authority, McAlester Public Works Authority, and McAlester Economic Development Authority to ratify prior actions and approve minutes; each of those motions was recorded with a roll call vote.
The denial of the tort claim and the post‑executive session votes were recorded as formal roll call votes. One councilor (Roden) left the meeting prior to the authorization to hire outside counsel; the meeting record notes his departure.
