Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legal Process topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City attorney: settlement talks are privileged; council must approve any settlement expenditures
Summary
City attorney Drew told the council that settlement negotiations are protected by attorney–client privilege and are handled in executive session; any settlement requiring expenditure is brought back to council for approval in open session.
City attorney Drew told the council that conversations about settlement offers and agreements are protected by attorney–client privilege and therefore usually take place in executive session. "The conversations about a settlement offer and agreement settling a lawsuit… are protected as attorney client privileged," he said, adding that revealing those details publicly can jeopardize legal strategy and counsel's ability to advise.
Drew explained the typical workflow: executive-session discussion of settlement terms, then a public action where the council is presented with the settlement amount and votes to approve or reject it. He said his office will prioritize immediate problems in a phased code-modernization effort and is available to counsel council members on legal questions.
