Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle any and all claims related to Averi J. Townsend’s employment with and separation from the City of Columbus, in the amount of eighty-four thousand, seven hundred ninety-one dollars and zero cents ($84,791.00). Ms. Townsend alleged she was subjected to violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”), discrimination under Title VII and retaliation. This settlement is to avoid future litigation of such claims.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the appropriate account to pay the amount of this claim.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of Ms. Townsend’s claims against the City, which is 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 all claims with Averi J. Townsend; to ratify the authority of the Council President and Council Chief of Staff to execute the settlement agreement; to authorize the expenditure of eighty-four thousand, seven hundred ninety-one dollars and zero cents ($84,791.00) in settlement of the claims; from the Department of Finance’s Citywide account to Columbus City Council fund; and to declare an emergency. ($84,791.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Averi J. Townsend was employed with the City of Columbus as a Legislative Aide to City Council from November 16, 2023 until she resigned from her employment with the City on September 29, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Townsend alleged she was subjected to violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”), discrimination under Title VII and retaliation during the time of her employment as a Legislative Aide; and
WHEREAS, following the evaluation of the claims and the risk of potential litigation of the claims against the City, the parties reached an agreement to settle this matter in the amount of eighty-four thousand, seven hundred ninety-one dollars and zero cents ($84,791.00) which was deemed acceptable by the Columbus City Council President and Chief of Staff, along with a release of the City of Columbus and its employees from further liability; and
WHEREAS, settlement of the claims along with a release of the City of Columbus and its employees from further liability is in the best interests of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within Finance’s Citywide Account to cover this settlement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Columbus City Council in that it is necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of these claims in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay. 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 Averi Townsend’s employment with and separation from the City of Columbus by payment of eighty-four thousand, seven hundred ninety-one dollars and zero cents ($84,791.00) as a reasonable and fair amount and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $84,791.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between object classes within the General from the Department of Finance’s Citywide account to Columbus City Council per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $84,791.00, 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 Council does hereby ratify the authority of the Council President and Council Chief of Staff to act as signatories to the settlement agreement on behalf of the City.
SECTION 5. Upon receipt of a voucher and a release approved by the City Attorney, that the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to draw three warrants upon the City Treasurer: 1) for the amount of twenty-six thousand, nine hundred and sixty-six dollars and eighty-two cents ($26,966.82), less applicable employment payroll deductions and withholdings for wages including pension contribution requirements payable to Averi J. Townsend; 2) for the amount of twenty-six thousand, nine hundred sixty-six dollars and eighty-two cents ($26,966.82), as compensation for damages other than wages payable to Averi J. Townsend; and 3) for the amount of thirty thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven dollars and thirty-six cents ($30,857.36), for attorney fees and expenses payable to Mansell Law, LLC, counsel for Ms. Townsend.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to 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.