Ellisville Council Will Consider Reimbursing Fees for Residents Involved in Recall Lawsuit

Ellisville City Councilman Matt Pirrello asked the Council to consider reimbursing legal fees for five residents involved in a lawsuit over the city's recall process earlier this year, according to an STL Today report.

Pirrello had filed suit in August against the city and five residents who had been petitioning for the recall of Pirrello and other council members. The final decision declared the recall language in the city's charter unconstitutional, arguing the charter did not call for specified cause in the recall process.

As Patch previously reported, the five residents involved in the lawsuit -- Julia Dolan, Mary Ann Dust, Vincent McGrath, Sandra McGrath and Patti Murphy -- had requested reimbursement from the city for legal fees at the Dec. 5 council meeting. The residents were ultimately dismissed from the case.

Recall efforts had stirred after council decisions involving a Walmart project and related tax increment financing (TIF). Five members of the sitting council -- Pirrello, Roze Acup, Dawn Anglin, Troy Pieper and Linda Reel -- voted in favor of the TIF and development.

Each of the residents had paid $100 for legal fees, and Mayor Adam Paul contributed $500 to cover a portion of the total.

STL Today reported the council voted 6-0 to consider Pirrello's request at the Dec. 19 council work session.