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King City authorizes agreement to pursue PFAS settlement funds after council raises testing cost concerns
Summary
King City approved a professional services agreement with Grossman & Kelly PLLC to pursue PFAS settlement funds, directing staff to negotiate clarifications after council members warned that testing and expert fees could reduce the city's share.
King City approved a professional services agreement with Grossman & Kelly PLLC on June 11, authorizing the city manager to execute documents after the city attorney and city manager negotiate clarifications addressing council concerns.
The agreement, introduced by City Manager Jose Arreola, is designed to secure PFAS settlement funds for the city. Mayor Mike LeBarre said potential eligible uses include drinking water and wastewater projects, fire department equipment and trucks, and possibly airport-related expenses, and he noted there is no upfront cost to the city for entering the agreement.
Councilmember Cullen expressed concern that the cost of required environmental testing — which he described in the meeting as “extremely expensive” — could be deducted from King City’s settlement share. Cullen also urged notifying the Solid Waste Authority and exploring whether contamination at the closed city dump or runoff near Jolon Road could affect the city’s claim. Councilmember Oscar Avalos raised similar concerns.
City Manager Arreola reviewed the settlement disbursement framework (referenced in the meeting as Exhibit 2) and stated that the firm would seek reimbursement of disbursement costs, including testing and expert fees, if a settlement is reached. Councilmembers Cullen, Avalos and Mayor LeBarre specifically asked for clarifications about how expert fees, testing expenses for city-specific sites, litigation support services and other disbursements would be handled to avoid undue reduction of the city’s recovery.
Councilmember Carlos Victoria moved to direct the city attorney and city manager to negotiate those clarifications and to approve the professional services agreement; the motion, seconded by Cullen, carried with recorded AYES from Mayor LeBarre and Councilmembers Cullen, Victoria and Avalos.
The council’s direction focuses staff-level negotiation of contract language and cost-allocation protections; the city will return executed documents once those clarifications are secured.
