Explanation
This Ordinance authorizes the payment of a settlement to Rae Laufenburger and Tim Van Eman as counsel in the lawsuit of Rae Laufenburger v. City of Columbus, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 03CVC-05-5193, in the amount of Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00).
Fiscal Impact: The 2004 budget included $1,080,000 in the citywide account for claims and settlements. These funds have been exhausted on claims and settlements processed prior to this ordinance. Funds set aside in Finance's citywide account for other purposes will have to be used to pay this claim. It should be noted, that Finance's mid-year review did not include projected expenditures for claims and settlements beyond the original $1,080,000 appropriation.
Emergency Designation: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency measure in order to pay the settlement amount in a timely manner.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney settle the lawsuit of Rae Laufenburger v. City of Columbus, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 03CVC-05-5193, to authorize the transfer of Fifty Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) within the general fund from the Department of Finance to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, to authorize the expenditure of the sum of Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00), and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2002, a City of Columbus fire truck crashed into the Patrick J's restaurant located at 2711 North High Street, Columbus, OH; and,
WHEREAS, Rae Laufenburger was a patron of the restaurant; and,
WHEREAS, Rae Laufenburger received personal injuries; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of Columbus to settle the claim of Rae Laufenburger for Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00); and,
WHEREAS, the settlement figure is a fair and reasonable sum to resolve this court action; and,
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the Finance Department's ci...
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