By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden City Council voted in special session Monday to table a resolution aimed at approving a settlement agreement between the City of Minden and a Houston couple, sidestepping the issue of a $25,000 payment that has already been paid.

Shawanda Hall and Donald Benard were written a check on June 13 for $25,000, drafted on the city’s general fund account. The agenda item also lists $1,912.57 to resolve claims “which may exist between the parties and appropriating the sum to satisfy said agreement.” It is unclear how or why the additional $1,912.57 payment was made.

City Attorney Jimbo Yocom said the other party requested privacy on the details of the case, but the amount is public record and was agreed upon by both parties. A “receipt and release” issued with the check says the payment is a complete settlement of demands and not to be construed as “an admission of liability” on the part of the City of Minden.

The “receipt and release” was signed by City Clerk Melaney Langford, Assistant City Clerk Elizabeth Campbell, City Attorney Yocom and Police Chief Jared McIver. No information has been provided on who authorized the payment.

“It does involve a stuffed animal,” Yocom said of the case. “It was a delicate situation and we felt it was in the City’s best interest to try and do what was right as quickly as possible – do right by them and at the same time make sure the City was protected.”

The council voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss the agreement. When they returned approximately 30 minutes later, District E Councilman Andy Pendergrass made a move to table the agenda item with a second by District D Councilman Michael Roy. Council members offered no explanation for the move and no date on the record to reinstate the item.

The settlement agreement stems from a January traffic stop on Interstate 20 where Lt. Christopher Hammontree, a 16-year veteran of the Minden Police Department, was called to the scene with his K9 to assist.

Hammontree, who was charged in June with simple criminal damage to property, is currently on administrative leave with pay. Hammontree was charged less than a week after the $25,000 handwritten check was issued. He reportedly was released by the District Attorney on his own recognizance.
 
The second item on the special session agenda, which was approved unanimously, allows the City to enter into a contract for legal services of Aaron L. Green to serve as “outside counsel” for the City regarding civil service, public records requests and other legal matters as may be necessary under the supervision of City Attorney Yocom.

“With the two unfortunate situations with potential (police department) terminations, it gives rise to a lot of public records requests, and a lot of nuances in areas of the law that require a specialty,” Yocom said. “This attorney is familiar with these areas. With civil service and public records requests, you have to follow the steps exactly, so it was my opinion we needed to bring in someone who specializes in those particular areas.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, councilpersons, Mayor Nick Cox and Police Chief McIver left council chambers without comment.