passed ordinance

*Pay settlement of Rowena Pacheco employment discrimination lawsuit for $135,000 involving Portland Fire & Rescue

public safety
labor
equity
claim settlement

Department: Risk Management
Introduced by: Former Mayor Ted Wheeler
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles an employment discrimination lawsuit brought by Rowena Pacheco, resulting from her employment with Portland Fire & Rescue.

Financial impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue. Total cost to the City to settle the lawsuit is $135,000. The source of funding is the City’s Insurance and Claims Fund. All cost of the settlement is in the current fiscal year. This Ordinance does not amend the budget.

Community impacts

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit resulting from Plaintiff’s employment with Portland Fire & Rescue. No public involvement or input was sought regarding this Ordinance. The City Attorney’s Office and Risk Management have concluded that it is not appropriate to have public involvement in settlement negotiations regarding tort claims or lawsuits against the City. No future public involvement is anticipated or necessary. Approval by City Council of this Ordinance will fully settle a tort claim against the City of Portland.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: Rowena Pacheco, through attorney Samuel Hernandez, has filed a lawsuit against the City for employment discrimination and retaliation involving Portland Fire & Rescue on August 3, 2023. The lawsuit has been investigated by Risk Management Services. The investigation indicates there is risk the City may be found liable. Therefore, in order to avoid the risk of an adverse jury award, it is prudent to compromise the lawsuit at this time. City Attorney, Risk Management Services, and Portland Fire & Rescue recommend the lawsuit be compromised for the total sum of $135,000, subject to the claimant providing the City with a release in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a check in the amount of $81,000 made payable to AmicusPoint Law Trust. The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a payroll check in the amount of $54,000, less deductions withheld, made payable to Rowena Pacheco. Risk Management Services will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in sub-paragraph (A) above. Payroll will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in sub-paragraph (B) above. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this employment lawsuit; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

4 yea 0 nay 1 other