City staff outlines insurance standards; special-event waivers and blanket coverage remain unresolved

City risk-management staff reviewed contract and event insurance practices at an Aug. 26 work session, telling the council that the city generally requires $3,000,000 in general liability, $1,000,000 in workers' compensation and $1,000,000 in auto liability for third parties that stage events or hold contracts with the city. Lisa [last name not provided], risk-management staff, said the city initially considered a higher $4,000,000 general-liability level on the recommendation of the municipal insurance pool but reverted to $3,000,000 because that amount remains the industry standard and is easier for vendors to obtain.

Lisa said exceptions to the baseline insurance requirements are possible but must go through city review: "any exception that someone in the city wants to make to insurance goes…