City Council to Consider Proposed Settlement in $106 Million Gold Line Lawsuit

Monrovia's city manager will present a proposed settlement to the City Council next week that could end a $106 million lawsuit filed against the city by a local developer.

Samuelson & Fetter sued Monrovia in August and alleged that the city breached an agreement relating to the Station Square Transit Village development being built in anticipation of the coming Gold Line Foothill Extension. The city countered that the developer was if fact in violation of the contract and Councilman Joe Garcia warned the suit "would destroy the community that [Samuelson & Fetter] helped create."

A City Council agenda report prepared by City Manager Laurie Lile refers vaguely to a proposed settlement in the works for the lawsuit and two others brought against the city. The report does not directly recommend that the council accept the proposed terms, and the terms are not disclosed.

"Staff recommends the Council consider the terms of the settlement agreement
and based on the terms, consider each option," Lile wrote.

A court date has been set for Feb. 19 to discuss the agreement, according to the report.

The report also refers to possible settlements in two lawsuits filed by the Gold Line Construction Authority against the city's now-defunct redevelopment agency.

Patch will continue to follow this breaking story.