May 8, 2023 — Clovis City Council
Documented by Rachel Youdelman
What happened: The Clovis City Council voted to reject two claims against the Clovis Police Department — one alleging excessive force resulting in bodily injury and the other for discrimination within the workplace.
The claims were among six items included on the meeting’s consent calendar, which are grouped together and decided with one vote, unless they are pulled for public discussion by a member of the public or council member. Both of the claims were rejected unanimously with no discussion.
According to the agenda, the rejected excessive force claim was filed by Edgar Lawson, Jr. on April 4, 2023. He alleges that on Nov. 8, 2022, the Clovis Police Department detained him while he was sitting inside a restaurant and used excessive force that caused bodily injury. He is seeking reimbursement for damages in excess of $25,000.
The second rejected claim was filed on April 24, 2023, on behalf of Christian Perez who alleges that on Feb. 17, 2023, the Clovis Police Department failed to accommodate his disability and wrongfully terminated his employment. He is also seeking reimbursement for damages in excess of $25,000.
And also: The council voted 4-1 to in favor of collecting an assessment with property taxes and placing liens on nine properties whose owners have not responded to multiple code enforcement citations.
The nuisances cited included the following actions the city was forced to take to clean up the properties: clearing trash, removing inoperable vehicles and cutting weeds. Conducting the cleanups incurred related property abatement costs in the combined amount of $161,290.
Two people were present to respond. One said that he now had power of attorney regarding the property in question, and that elder abuse had been a factor in the neglect. His fines were waived.
Another property owner was present to defend herself, but she wavered in her assurances that she would address the violations she had been cited for, so the assessment stood.
Up next: The Clovis City Council will meet again on May 15.