Ordinance 2982-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

ORDINANCE NO. 2982-07 AN ORDINANCE relating to the manner of processing claims for damages or injuries and amending Section 4 of Ordinance No. 999-84 (EMC 3.16.070). WHEREAS, in 1974 City Council passed Ordinance 288-74 setting the limits for the allowance, disallowance or approval of claims by the claims committee approval at $1,000 and any amount above that $1,000.00 threshold was referred to City Council for approval; and WHEREAS, in 1984 City Council passed Ordinance 999-84, the one under which the City operates today, which gives the Risk Manager authority to allow, disallow or settle claims up to $1,000.00, the City Attorney with the concurrence of the Risk Manager the authority to allow, disallow or settle claims up to $10,000.00, the claims committee composed of the City Attorney, Risk Manager, a City Council Member and the department head of the department from which the claim arose, the power to allow, disallow or settle claims between $10,000.00 and $20,000.00 and claims in excess of$20,000.00 upon review of the City Attorney be referred to City Council for disposition; and WHEREAS, in the years that have passed since the existing and applicable Ordinance No. 999-84 (EMC 3.16.070) was enacted, the Consumer Price Index for Seattle-Tacoma- Bremerton has increased to slightly over 100 percent, taking the authorized amount from $20,000.00 by an increase of$20,311.00 to a 2006 CPI-Based Equivalent of$40,311.00; and WHEREAS, since it has been over 23 years since the amount was last set, it is prudent for the Council to set the limit for Council action at$50,000.00 and to raise the other thresholds commensurately as set forth below; NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1: Section 4 of Ordinance No. 999-84 (EMC 3.16.070) which reads as follows: Section 4: Manner of Processing Claims. The Law Department shall process claims for damages or injuries in the following manner: (a) The Risk Manager shall be authorized to allow, disallow or settle all claims for damages up to $1,000. (b) The City Attorney with concurrence of the Risk Manager shall be authorized to allow, disallow or settle all claims up to $10,000.