Richmond City Council will likely file another lawsuit against the mayor next week related to the fight over whose budget is legal. 

After nearly two hours of a closed session with outside attorneys Monday night, council president Bill Pantele (2nd) said a resolution will be introduced at next Monday's (July 28) formal council meeting asking whether council should file suit against the mayor.

Pantele expects the measure to be approved, but it likely won't be unanimous. 

Council members Reva Trammell (8th) and Marty Jewell (5th), who often support Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, stormed out of the closed session about 20 minutes before the session officially ended. Neither had any comment and both looked angry and upset.

"I think there's a lot of pressure," Pantele said of the emotional aspect of the meeting. "No one likes the idea of a lawsuit. I think everyone understands the budget passed is valid and that the administration's claim has no basis. 

"While we regret being put in this position, we will do what we have to do to protect public interest."

Pantele specifically cited Wilder's decision not to fund the city retirees' cost of living increase.

"To turn a cold shoulder to the matter of the retirees is the wrong thing to do," he said.

This is not the first time council has met in closed session to talk with outside attorneys about the issue since the city attorney has not recused himself from the issue.

The mayor held a press conference in June to announce that council's budget was not valid because members adopted two budget-related ordinances after the charter's May 31 deadline. That action, according to Wilder, made council's adopted budget unbalanced, therefore invalid, and that his original budget becomes law, under the city charter.

Councilman Bruce Tyler (1st) said members had a very hard discussion, but good dialogue on the issue.

"I don't know where everybody will stand," he said of next Monday's vote. "My opinion is to go forward with the lawsuit. The mayor once again has decided that he's above the law and in my opinion that's wrong."

The mayor could not immediately be reached for comment Monday night.

Council's informal meeting begins at 3 p.m. in the second-floor council chambers of City Hall. The formal meeting starts at 6 p.m.