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Council clears settlements: $4.5 million in APD protest case, $95,000 in AFD crash case
Summary
On the consent agenda the council approved two legal settlements: a $4.5 million payment to Sam Kirsch resolving claims from a 2020 protest use‑of‑force incident, and a $95,000 payment to Kita Woods arising from a December 2023 collision with an Austin Fire Department vehicle.
The Austin City Council on May 22 approved two legal settlements on the consent agenda.
Sam Kirsch v. City of Austin — $4.5 million - The city attorney asked the council to approve a $4,500,000 settlement to resolve claims brought by Sam Kirsch related to injuries he sustained from a use‑of‑force incident at a protest on May 31, 2020. The settlement includes a dismissal with prejudice of the federal lawsuit Mr. Kirsch had filed, and releases the city and the named Austin Police Department officers from claims arising from that incident. - Assistant City Attorney Jeremy Thompson briefed the council in closed‑session procedural remarks and answered brief questions in open session. Mr. Kirsch was present in the hearing and the law department reiterated its recommendation to approve the settlement.
Kita Woods v. City of Austin — $95,000 - The law department asked the council to approve a $95,000 settlement resolving a claim brought by Kita Woods arising from a motor vehicle collision involving an Austin Fire Department vehicle in December 2023. The settlement resolves the claim and dismisses the lawsuit in District Court.
Why the council approved on consent - Law department staff framed both agreements as prudent settlements to resolve litigation risk and reach an agreed resolution rather than protracted litigation. - Council did not take public debate on either settlement beyond accepting the law department briefing; a speaker had been listed for one settlement but did not testify.
What happens next - The payments will be processed according to standard settlement procedures and recorded in the city’s financial statements. The law department will ensure dismissal filings are completed in the relevant courts.
