Brief

The City Attorney's office has referred a litigation matter involving Ronald Tull v. City of Los Angeles (Superior Court Case 23STCV16573) to the Budget and Finance Committee for oversight and direction. The file was submitted to Council on August 23, 2026, based on a City Attorney report dated July 23, 2026. The Budget and Finance Committee has been discussing the matter in closed session and is scheduled to continue review on September 15, 2026.

Full summary

This file involves a lawsuit filed by Ronald Tull, an Urban Forestry Division employee, against the City of Los Angeles, alleging violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The case is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto submitted a report in July 2026 recommending that the City Council meet in closed session to receive legal advice and guidance on a potential Claims Board action related to the litigation. Because the matter involves active litigation and settlement discussions, the City Attorney invoked Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), which authorizes public agencies to confer with legal counsel in closed session on pending court cases. The report was prepared by the Civil Litigation Branch under Chief Kathleen Kenealy, with Deputy City Attorney Keimer Raymond serving as the contact for the matter. The Board of Public Works Commission and its risk management staff were copied on the report, indicating the case involves a City employee in a department under Public Works oversight. The file was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee in late August 2026. The committee discussed the matter in closed session on September 1, 2026, and continued it to September 15, 2026 for further review. The substantive details of any proposed settlement or Claims Board recommendation remain confidential, as is standard for active litigation handled in closed session. The file is open and does not expire until September 2028.

Activity (6)

• 2026-09-11 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 15, 2026.
• 2026-09-01 Budget and Finance Committee continued item to September 15, 2026 .
• 2026-09-01 Budget and Finance Committee discussed the matter in Closed Session, and continued the item to September 15, 2026 .
• 2026-08-28 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 1, 2026.
• 2026-08-25 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-08-23 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated July 23, 2026.

Documents (1)

• 2026-07-23 Report from City Attorney · report