Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle any and all claims of Hannah O. Hassan, particularly any related to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission claim known as Hannah O. Hassan v. City of Columbus, Charge No. COL71 (013525) 03212025, in the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($36,000.00). Ms. Hassan claims that City employees harassed her and retaliated against her for engaging in protected activity. Ms. Hassan filed a claim with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission alleging the City violated state and federal anti-discrimination and retaliation laws and this settlement is to avoid further litigation of such claims and to obtain a release of all claims.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the Department of Finance’s Citywide Account for this purpose.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of Ms. Hassan’s claims against the City, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay thereby mitigating any potential claim of further liability.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the Ohio Civil Rights Commission claim known as Hannah O. Hassan v. City of Columbus, Charge No. COL71 (013525) 03212025; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($36,000.00) in settlement of the claim; and to declare an emergency. ($36,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ms. Hassan filed a claim with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Charge No. COL71 (013525) 03212025 alleging the City harassed her and retaliated against her for complaining about alleged harassment; and
WHEREAS, following the evaluation of the claims and the risk of continued litigation of the claims against the City, a settlement in the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($36,000.00) to be paid by the City was deemed acceptable by the City of Columbus, Department of Public Safety, along with a release of the City of Columbus and its employees from any further liability; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety in that it is necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay thereby mitigating any potential claim of further liability, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized and directed to settle all potential claims against the City of Columbus, its officers, agents, and employees related to Hannah Hassan’s allegations against the City of Columbus by payment of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($36,000.00) as a reasonable and fair amount and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
Section 2. That the transfer of $36,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between object classes within the General Fund from the Department of Finance’s Citywide account to the Department of Public Safety per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $36,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized as follows in the General Fund, object class 05 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
Section 4. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to draw a warrant upon the City Treasurer for the sum of $36,000.00 payable to both Hannah O. Hassan and Marshall, Forman and Schlein Trust for damages other than wages and for attorney’s fees, all upon receipt of an invoice and a release approved by the City Attorney.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.