Gypsy Suit Soon May Be City’s Council Considers Assuming All Liability From County
After tonight, the city of Spokane may be the lone crusader in the fight against the $40 million Gypsy family lawsuit.
Council members will consider a plan to assume all liability and defense costs for the Marks’ civil rights lawsuit.
In return, the county would pay the city $390,000.
While county officials are eager to slide out from beneath the lawsuit, city officials say they think the plan will unite the fight.
The city would use the county’s money to help defend itself against the lawsuit.
The legal battle between the Marks family and the city and county began in 1986, when police investigating a fencing operation searched the homes of Jimmy and Grover Marks.
Officers confiscated $1.6 million in cash and as much as $500,000 in jewelry, some later identified as stolen. A burglar later told police he sold stolen property to Jimmy Marks.
The raids were ruled illegal by the state Supreme Court. Jimmy Marks, Grover Marks, the Gypsy Church and 26 of its members then filed the $40 million civil rights suit.
Also tonight, the council will consider:
Reversing the vote that severs the deal with O.M. Scott and Sons of Ohio to manage the compost plant.
The council voted earlier this month to close the plant to any more yard waste and begin negotiating an end to the contract.
Councilman Joel Crosby is hoping to overturn that decision and thinks he has enough votes to do it. He wants the city to go ahead with plans to buy $40,000 worth of misting equipment and an organic spray that promises to absorb the odors caused by the composting.
The plant has been cited three times for odor violations in the past 90 days by the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority.
Neighbors’ complaints about the plant’s noxious odors have persisted since it opened two years ago.
Allowing small apartments commonly known as granny flats in single-family neighborhoods.
An advocacy group for the disabled had challenged the council’s decision to defy a state law ordering Washington cities to pass an “accessory dwelling unit” ordinance by Dec. 31, 1994.
The advocacy group took the council’s decision before a state appeals board, which ruled in June the city must make way for the apartments.
A briefing for residents begins at 3 p.m. in the council briefing center on the lower level of City Hall. The council’s briefing begins at 3:30 in the same room.The regular meeting starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING The council meets at 6 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.