Madison City Council member proposes that council, mayor decide whether to settle lawsuits
The proposal is generating interest but may not find support over concern the city could lose its insurer.
The family of
The settlement between the Robinson family and the city's insurer was made over Kenny's strong objections. The city -- which had been dismissed as a defendant in the case -- was not involved in the settlement and had no ability to influence the court or the parties in approving it, Mayor
Ald.
"It's my desire to not have this happen again," Skidmore said of the lawsuit settlement process. "This is not political. This is bad public policy."
Soglin said he'd like to have the ability to review all settlements but is withholding an endorsement of the proposal until he speaks with City Attorney
Council President
"In concept, it sounds good," he said. "But we could end up having to be self-insured."
May could not be reached for comment Friday.
Kenny shot the unarmed Robinson after the teen, who had taken hallucinogenic mushrooms, punched Kenny in the head and knocked him into a wall during an altercation in the narrow stairway of a
In May of that year,
The lawsuit, brought by the family against the city in
The insurance company has the authority to make settlements under its policy with the city, May has said, adding that the city does not need to approve any settlements "and cannot tell WMMIC not to settle." The city pays a retention fee, similar to a deductible, of
The settlement "leaves the plaintiffs free to disparage the city of
Decisions involving lawsuits brought by or against the city are properly the responsibility of its elected officials, not agents of an insurance company, and removing elected officials from decisions in such matters frustrates the accountability citizens expect from them, it says.
"If there is a compelling reason to go to court, we will," Skidmore said.
Meanwhile, Soglin and Skidmore will introduce a resolution to the council Tuesday to reimburse Police Chief
Koval publicly apologized for the remark.
Last year, the
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