2127 RESOLUTION .2 I X7
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT OF AN ACTION
STYLED COURTNEY BEDFORD v. JOE BAKER, BRENT BRADLEY,
ALANDARETY,DARELL HAYES, IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL AND
OFFICIAL CAPACITIES,AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND TO TAKE SUCH
OTHER ACTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE
SETTLEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, an action has been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Arkansas, Jonesboro Division, styled Courtney Bedford v. Joe Baker, Brent Bradley,
Alan Darety, and Darell Hayes, individually and in their official capacities as officers with the
West Memphis Police Department, Case Number 3:14-cv-00115 which seeks damages related to
the arrest of Courtney Bedford and;
WHEREAS,the City of West Memphis has denied liability and continues to deny
liability for each and every cause of action alleged by the plaintiff; and
WHEREAS, a tentative settlement has been negotiated by the parties, subject to the
approval of the West Memphis City Council, for the dismissal of the plaintiffs Complaint with
prejudice; and
WHEREAS,the negotiated settlement provides for payment of$7,000 to the plaintiff
and his attorney, of which amount ten percent (10%) would be paid by the City of West Memphis
to the Arkansas Municipal League; and
WHEREAS, the West Memphis City Council finds that the negotiated settlement
protects the interests of the City of West Memphis and will save the expenses of protracted
litigation, and is in the best interest of the City of West Memphis;
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS, THAT the negotiated settlement for the dismissal
with prejudice of the action styled Courtney Bedford v. Joe Baker, Brent Bradley, Alan Darety,
and Darell Hayes, individually and in their official capacities as officers with the West Memphis
Police Department, Case Number 3:14-cv-00115 in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Arkansas, Jonesboro Division, is hereby approved and the appropriation of$700 to be
paid to the Arkansas Municipal League as the City's portion of said settlement is hereby
approved and authorized and, further, the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the settlement
agreement and to take such actions and to execute any necessary documents or pleadings to
effectuate the negotiated settlement.
ADOPTED this 16th day of March, 2017.
/1/:>Zy/..
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, Mayor
ATTEST:
PHI ARA, City Clerk
SPONSORED BY: