ST. PAUL — The city of St. Paul will pay the operators of a cafe in a city-owned pavilion $800,000 to settle a lease dispute.

Reports said reluctant council members voted 5-1 on Wednesday to pay the owners of Black Bear Crossing at Como Lakeside Pavilion one of the largest legal settlements in the city’s history.

A city attorney told the council it’s in the city’s best interest to resolve the case now, to avoid going to trial for damages.

David and Pamela Glass filed a lawsuit last year when the parks department declined to extend their five-year lease, despite a five-year renewal option written in the contract.

A Ramsey County judge ruled in May the city failed to present evidence justifying its decision to breach its agreement with the vendor.