Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle any and all claims related to Denise Bauer’s employment with and separation from the City of Columbus, in the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($195,000.00). Ms. Bauer’s claims relate to a discrepancy in previously unreported overtime hours she worked while employed by the City and this settlement is to avoid potential litigation of such 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. Bauer’s potential claims against the City, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the claim of Denise Bauer; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($195,000.00) in settlement of this claim; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Denise Bauer was employed by the City of Columbus as an Executive Assistant I since 2017 and she resigned from her employment with the City, effective December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, After she resigned from her employment with the City, Ms. Bauer notified the City of a discrepancy in previously unreported overtime hours she worked while employed with the City; and
WHEREAS, following the evaluation of the claims and the risk of potential litigation of the claims against the City, a settlement in the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($195,000.00) to be paid by the City was deemed acceptable by the City of Columbus, Office of the Mayor, along with a release of the City of Columbus and its employees from any potential further liability; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Office of the Mayor 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; 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 Denise Bauer’s employment with and separation from the City of Columbus by payment of One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($195,000.00) as a reasonable and fair amount and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
Section 2. That the transfer of $195,000.00, 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 Office of the Mayor per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $195,000.00, 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, upon the receipt of an approved invoice and a release approved by the City Attorney, the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to draw a warrant upon the City Treasurer one for the sum of One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($195,000.00) payable to Denise Bauer and Hastie Legal, LLC, upon receipt of a voucher 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 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.