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Committee reviews three sinking-fund resolutions to pay judgments totaling $200,000; council action expected
Summary
City finance and legal staff presented three resolutions asking the City Council to authorize $100,000, $75,000 and $25,000 payments from the sinking fund to settle judgments arising from vehicle collisions and a stormwater incident.
The Urban and Economic Development Committee heard presentations on three sinking-fund resolutions authorizing payments to plaintiffs in separate judgment cases. City finance and legal staff described the cases and recommended council approval; the full council was expected to consider the resolutions at a future meeting.
Chad Becker of the Treasury confirmed the sinking fund had sufficient cash to cover the payments and reported a current sinking-fund balance of about $68.8 million. "Current sinking fund balance, $68,800,000," Becker said during the discussion.
Hayes Martin, assistant city attorney, summarized the largest claim. He said the case involving Reuben Gantt (case number CJ2021-2930) stemmed from an October 2021 collision in which a responding fire engine and plaintiff's vehicle collided near 36th and South Lewis; the plaintiff's vehicle was totaled. The committee was presented a resolution authorizing payment of $100,000 from the sinking fund for the judgment and attorney fees in that case.
A second resolution covered a March 2021 incident in which a stormwater manhole cover lifted during a rainstorm and a tire fell into the hole; that case, listed in the agenda as involving plaintiff Christie Shepherd, included personal-injury claims for dental injuries. The resolution presented would authorize payment of $75,000 for the judgment and attorney fees.
A third resolution covered an auto-accident claim involving plaintiff Maria Morales (listed on the agenda as Maria Morales Fandoy) from June 2023. Martin said medical bills presented in that case totaled about $1,819,000; the recommended settlement payment from the sinking fund was $25,000.
Committee members asked for clearer backup documentation for future sinking-fund resolutions and sought confirmation that the presented settlements were final. City legal and treasury staff said the judgments had been approved by the court and the mayor and that, with council approval, finance would issue the payments. No committee-level votes were recorded in the transcript; each resolution was presented for council consideration.
