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Council notifies public of Tony Wilson settlement; city attorney says settlement is compromise, not admission of liability
Summary
The council approved a settlement in the wrongful-death case of Tony Philip Wilson previously authorized in closed session; the city attorney said the settlement is a compromise to avoid ongoing litigation costs, the city’s exposure is limited to $250,000 and insurance covers the remainder and attorney fees.
The National City Council voted to adopt a settlement agreement in the wrongful-death case of Tony Philip Wilson, an item council staff said had been authorized for settlement during a prior closed session.
City Attorney Schultz explained that the settlement is not an admission of liability but a compromise to avoid continued legal expenses. Schultz told the council the governing code requires public disclosure when a settlement is final; he said the council had authorized settlement authority up to $350,000 and that the city’s direct exposure would be capped at $250,000, with insurance covering the remainder and attorney fees incurred to date.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, Ted Gottschalk had pressed the council on transparency around late reports from closed session and asked why a prior closed-session report had stated "nothing to report" after the council had authorized settlement. Schultz said he had followed the government code's reporting requirements and had returned to court to complete the required filings before bringing the matter back to open session for public notice.
Council members moved and approved the settlement; the motion passed on the council floor.
