DEPARTMENT: Office of the County Manager
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization Of Legal Strategy In Tory Hart v. Dakota County et al.
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize legal strategy.
SUMMARY
Authorize legal strategy.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Tory Hart, trustee for the heirs and next-of-kin of Eli Hart, (Plaintiff) commenced a lawsuit against Dakota County (County) and certain County staff; and
WHEREAS, on September 19, 2024, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota ordered the parties to participate in mediation at a mutually agreeable time before retired magistrate judge Arthur Boylan; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners met in closed session on September 24, 2024, wherein the County Attorney’s Office advised the Board regarding the County’s legal strategy in this matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Attorney’s Office to proceed with the legal strategy, including settlement authority, as discussed in closed session on September 24, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Board Chair to appoint up to three members of the Board to attend mediation before retired magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan as required by the court; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Board Chair to designate one of the Commissioners appointed to attend mediation to execute a mediated settlement agreement reached at mediation that is within the parameters of the legal strategy authorized in closed session on September 24, 2024.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Heidi Welsch
Author: Jeni Reynolds