City Council

. City of Margaret April 15, 2025 6:01 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Darius Crump., Councilwoman Sandra Cook, Councilman Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tem James Chapman, and Mayor Daryl McIntyre Absent: Jonathan Ray Prayer: Mr. Barker Pledge of Alliance A quorum was declared. Adoption of Agenda Discussion: Councilman Darius Crump moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Mayor Pro-Tem James Chapman seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with four yeses and one no. Councilman Matthew Tortorice moved to amend the previous Motion to adopt the agenda and add items. Motion dies due to a lack of a second. Mayor Pro-Tem James Chapman moved to allow the city council to go into Executive Session to discuss Councilman Matthew Tortorice’s two pending lawsuits against the City of Margaret with attorney Brad Cornett. Councilman Darius Crump seconded the Motion. The row call vote is as follows: Councilman Darius Crump – Yes Councilwoman Sandra Cook- Yes Councilman Matthew Tortorice – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem James Chapman Yes Mayor Daryl McIntyre – Yes All Councilmembers went into the council chambers for the Executive Session. Councilmembers expressed concerns about Councilman Matthew Tortorice entering the Executive Session because the discussion included his two pending lawsuits. Lawsuit Attorney Brad Cornett stated that the meeting should take at least 20 minutes. The council went into Executive Session at 6:07 PM. Erskine Funderburg, City Attorney, arrives at 6:10 PM and enters Executive Session. Councilman Matthew Tortorice returns to his seat at 6:10 PM. The Council reconvenes at 6:47 PM. Councilwoman Sandra Cook moved to authorize Mayor Daryl McIntyre, Chief Anthony Fields, and City Attorney Erskine Funderburg to attend a mediation on June 10, 2025, concerning the first lawsuit filed by Councilman Matthew Tortorice against the City of Margaret, Mayor Daryl McIntyre, and Chief Anthony Fields, and the ability to negotiate any potential expenditure of city funds. Councilman Darius Crump seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with four yeses and one abstention. Erskine Funderburg explained that no money would be spent without coming before the Council. Councilman Darius Crump moved to authorize the Lawsuit Attorney, Brad Cornett, to propose a settlement to the opposing attorneys representing Councilman Matthew Tortorice in his second lawsuit against the city, up to $12,000.00 for attorney fees to be taken out of the city’s funds. Councilwoman Sandra Cook seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with four yeses and one abstention. The council asked City Attorney Erskine Funderburg to inform the residents that this settlement payment does not suggest that the City of Margaret admits to wrongdoing. Councilwoman Sandra Cook moved to approve the 4-1-2025 minutes as written by the city clerk. Councilman Darius Crump seconded the Motion. The Motion passed with four yeses and one no. Mayor Pro-Tem James Chapman made a Motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Sandra Cook seconded the Motion. ___________________________ Daryl McIntyre, Mayor Attest: _________________________ Teja McIntyre, City Clerk