City Council Special Meeting on July 29, 2025: Executive Session for Litigation Settlement
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City Council Special Meeting on July 29, 2025: Executive Session for Litigation Settlement
The Colorado Springs City Council held a special meeting on July 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Council Chambers. The primary purpose was to vote on entering a closed executive session to discuss legal advice and negotiation strategy regarding a litigation settlement in excess of $200,000 in the case Estate of Melvin v. City of Colorado Springs (U.S. District Court Case No. 20-cv-991), arising from a police use of force incident on April 26, 2018. The meeting was brief, with only roll call, the executive session vote, and adjournment.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar items were presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments or testimony were heard.
Executive Session Vote
- Acting City Attorney Marc Smith presented the motion to enter closed executive session under City Charter Article III § 3-60(d), the Colorado Open Meetings Act (C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b) and (e)), and City Code § 1.5.506(B). The purpose was to receive legal advice and determine positions relative to negotiation of a litigation settlement over $200,000 in Estate of Melvin v. City of Colorado Springs.
- Councilmember Hingem, participating electronically, confirmed for the record that she was alone and no unauthorized persons could hear the discussion.
- The council voted unanimously (8-0) to enter executive session: Councilmembers Crow Iverson, Donaldson, Gold, Hingem, Linewerber, Rainey, Risley, and Williams voted "Aye." Councilmember Bailey's vote was not recorded due to a technical issue ("went off the screen"), but the motion was moved by Councilman Risley and seconded by Councilman Rainey.
Key Outcomes
- The City Council approved entry into closed executive session by a unanimous vote of all eight voting members present (Councilmember Bailey's vote was not captured but did not affect the outcome).
- The session discussed legal strategy and potential settlement terms for the pending litigation.
- No further action was taken in open session; the meeting adjourned immediately after the vote.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. We're going to open a special meeting with City Council today on Tuesday, July twenty-ninth. We are in special session. Will the council um clerk with the clerk please read the roll? Councilmember Bailey. Excuse. Councilmember Crow Iverson? Here. Councilmember Donaldson? Here. Councilmember Gold. Here. Councilmember Hingem. Online. Councilmember Linewerber. Here. Councilmember Rainey? Here. Councilmember Risley? Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. Um, so we will go into executive session. Will the city attorney please read five VA into the record? Good afternoon, Ben Bullinger, City Attorney's Office. In accord with City Charter Article Three, Section Three Sixty D and its incorporated Colorado Open Meetings Act CRS Section 246-4024 B and E and City Code Section 1.5.506B. The City Council in open session is to determine whether it will hold a closed executive session. The issue to be discussed involves consultation with the city attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice and determining positions relative to negotiation regarding a litigation settlement in excess of $200,000 in the United States District Court case number 20 C Vine Nine One, Estate of Melvin versus City of Colorado Springs. The President of City Council shall poll the council members and upon consent of two thirds of the members present may conduct closed executive session. In the event any city council member is participating electronically or telephonically in the closed executive session. Each city council member participating in the closed executive session shall affirmatively state for the record that no other member of the public not authorized to participate in the closed executive session is present or able to hear the matters discussed as part of the closed executive session. If consent to the closed executive session is not given, the item may be discussed in open session or withdrawn from consideration. So we need an affirmative uh two-thirds vote, and if council member henjam could confirm that she is alone. Thank you. Will the clerk please pull the council to go into executive session? Councilmember Cro Iverson? Aye. Councilmember Donaldson? Aye. Councilmember Gold. Aye. Councilmember Hingem. Aye, and I am alone. Councilmember Lineweber. Aye. Councilmember Rainey? Aye. Councilmember Risley? Aye. Councilmember Williams.
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