City counsel asks council to make motion to approve settlement in Caravia lawsuit

The law director, identified in the meeting as John, told the Struthers City Council that counsel representing the city in a lawsuit filed by Caravia asked the council to make a formal motion to approve a settlement that had been discussed in executive session.

John said the plaintiffs "are asking that we, at a minimum, make a motion, today to approve the settlement that was discussed in the executive session," and advised that if council members remained "on board" someone would need to move to approve the settlement once the meeting returned to the floor. He discussed procedural options for presenting the item, asking whether the clerk should read the settlement or whether a point of order would be required to bring it under unfinished business.

An unidentified council member stated that "John has the written so someone can read off of it," indicating a written settlement document is available to be read when the council takes up the item. The transcript records counsel requesting that a motion be made but does not record any motion, second, or vote on the settlement during the provided excerpts.

The council did not record further action on the settlement in the transcript. The next procedural step indicated in the meeting excerpt is for a council member to move on the floor to approve the settlement; the transcript does not specify who will move or second that motion, nor does it record a vote or the settlement terms.