Documented by Rachel Youdelman
What happened: At its Monday night meeting, the Clovis City Council approved the rejection of a claim against the city alleging excessive force, false imprisonment and emotional distress caused by Clovis police officers.
According to the agenda, the claim was filed by Leuthvilay Keohavanga, who alleges that on Feb. 6, the Clovis Police Department responded to his residence due to a domestic disturbance and used excessive force with a K-9 [police dog], which caused bodily injuries, emotional distress and loss of wages.
He’s seeking damages of more than $25,000 from the city.
The item appeared among 11 others on the consent calendar, which is a group of items considered routine that are decided with a single vote and no discussion.
Former state courthouse purchase: Council member Vong Mouanoutoua requested that one item be pulled from the consent calendar — the purchase of the former Clovis courthouse from the state for $450,000.
The courthouse is in the Clovis Civic Center complex at 1011 Fifth St., and has sat vacant since the state ceased operations there in 2012.
The staff report said that the building needs to be renovated and the city will evaluate the best use for it, which could be office space for city departments.
Up next: The Clovis City Council will meet again on Sept. 18.