passed ordinance

*Pay workers' compensation claim of Mary-Catherine Huben for $215,000 involving the Portland Police Bureau

public safety
labor
claim settlement

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

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles a workers’ compensation claim brought by Mary-Catherine Huben, resulting from an occupational disease.

Financial impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue. Total cost to the city to settle the claim is $215,000. The source of funding is the City’s Workers’ Compensation Claims Fund. All cost of the settlement is in the current fiscal year. This Ordinance does not amend the budget.

Economic impacts

Not applicable

Community impacts

This Ordinance settles a workers’ compensation claim resulting from an occupational disease involving Mary-Catherine Huben. No public involvement or input was sought regarding this Ordinance. 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: Mary-Catherine Huben filed a Workers’ Compensation Claim with the City for an occupational disease with an exposure date of November 2, 2021. The claim 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 decision, it is prudent to compromise the claim at this time. Risk Management Services and the City Attorney recommend the claim be compromised for the total sum of $215,000, subject to Huben 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 $178,500 made payable to Mary-Catherine Huben. The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a check in the amount of $36,500 made payable to Huben’s attorney: Jodie Phillips Polich, P.C. Risk Management Services will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in subparagraphs A and B above. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this workers’ compensation claim; 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