The Sunnyside City Council voted to authorize the interim city manager to execute a settlement agreement resolving a First Amendment lawsuit filed by Maria Fernandez. City attorney Julie Norton summarized the terms: payment of attorney fees from the city’s insurance pool (negotiated amount reported as $35,000), a commitment to amend the council rules that enabled the interruption, and an apology to be entered into the public record.

Council moved and seconded the authorization motion. During roll call the following votes were recorded: Councilor Hancock — No; Councilor Ripley — Abstain; Councilor Pravsto (also reported in the record as Frosto) — Yes; Councilor Vasquez — Abstain; Councilor Hart — Yes; Deputy Mayor — No; Mayor — Yes. The motion carried by recorded vote.

Immediately after the vote the mayor read a formal apology to Maria Fernandez and Aya Adelante that acknowledged the council had stopped Fernandez from finishing her remarks on June 2, 2025; the statement said the council’s rule contained unconstitutional language that allowed a speaker to be silenced based on content and committed the council to amend SCCRP 8.3 to comply with law. The apology text was placed on the record and the settlement agreement had already been signed by the plaintiff’s counsel and accepted by the insurance pool.

Council discussion briefly touched on perceptions of conflict (one member asked whether employment links created a conflict for an abstaining councilor); the city attorney advised that employment alone without a financial benefit did not create a legal conflict of interest.

What changes will follow: staff and legal counsel will bring back the amended council rules (SCCRP 8.3 and related language) for council review, and the apology has been read into the minutes and the public record.

Provenance: City attorney presentation, roll call votes, and the mayor’s apology read into the record on Nov. 25.