Explanation
This ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit known as Sarah A. Wheeler v. City of Columbus, pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Case No. 2:16-CV-1159, in the amount of three-hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00). Ms. Wheeler was a probationary police officer with the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. Ms. Wheeler filed a complaint alleging gender discrimination with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to settle the case of Sarah Wheeler v. City of Columbus, pending before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; to authorize the transfer of $300,000.00 between divisions within the general fund; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the general fund in payment of the settlement; and to declare an emergency ($300,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Ms. Wheeler filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division alleging that the City intentionally discriminated against her because of her gender when the City discharged her from her employment; and
WHEREAS, following the evaluation of claims and the risk of continued litigation of the claims against the City of Columbus, a settlement in the amount of three-hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) to be paid by the City, was deemed acceptable by the City of Columbus, Department of Public Safety, along with dismissal of the case with prejudice and a release of the City of Columbus and its employees from any further liability; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the 2019 general fund budget to pay the amount of this claim.
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, in that it is necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in ord...
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