Council approves emergency ordinances to buy two pickups and to fund $185,000 settlement

The St. Joseph City Council voted to adopt two emergency ordinances: one authorizing procurement of two Ford F‑150 pickups and a second to fund a settlement payment to resolve claims brought by Lauren Houston.

Clerk read emergency ordinance 5‑36‑22 authorizing purchase of two 1/2‑ton Ford F‑150 crew cab short‑bed 4x4 pickups from Anderson Automotive Group for a total cost recorded as $93,743.68, and an accompanying amendment to the Water Protection Fund budget of $12,012.08. The ordinance was presented for a roll call vote and passed with eight ayes as recorded by the clerk.

The clerk next read emergency ordinance 5‑37‑22, described as authorizing acceptance of a release of all claims to settle claims brought by Lauren Houston and amending the general fund police department program budget to provide $185,000 for that payment. The council voted by roll call; the bill passed with eight ayes.

There was no substantive debate recorded in the transcript for either ordinance; both were handled by the clerk's reading and council roll call. The settlement ordinance references a payment and release of claims but the transcript does not include details of the underlying claims or any statements from the claimant or city legal staff during the meeting.

Next procedural items included first readings of other ordinances and a city manager report on upcoming housing project resolutions.