Prichard city attorney asks judge to order mediation in mayor-council dispute

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Prichard’s lawyer has asked a judge to appoint a mediator to help settle a legal dispute between Mayor Carletta Davis and City Council members.

The court filing comes on the heels of a hearing last week in which the two sides argued over whether the judge should restrict the mayor’s power to spend money without council authorization. The judge has not ruled on that.

City Attorney Josh Briskman asked in his court filing for a mediator.

“The only way for the City to truly prevail in this matter as a whole is to work out these differences itself,” he wrote. “While it may well be necessary for the Court to rule on these issues, the undersigned, on behalf of the Plaintiff, respectfully requests that this Court order this matter to mediation.”

Moshae Donald Walker, the council’s attorney, told FOX10 News that she opposes mediation. She said in a text message that the dispute is a question of law and that there is nothing to mediate.

Council members have argued that the mayor has exceeded her authority in signing contracts without council approval. They have cited multiple examples, including a $120,000 contract signed by the mayor to hire a public works director.

The council’s attorney also has sounded an alarm over Prichard’s insurance coverage, which is set to expire Aug. 1 – now less than two weeks away.