passed ordinance 2025-224

*Pay Workers’ Compensation Claims of Robin Scheffer in the sum of $75,000 involving Portland Permitting & Development

labor
ordinance

Department: Risk Management
Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles workers’ compensation claims brought by Robin Scheffer for injuries sustained on May 6, 2016, and September 14, 2022.

Financial impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue. Total cost to the City to settle these claims is $75,000. The source of funding is the City’s Workers’ Compensation 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 workers’ compensation claims resulting from an occupational disease involving Robin Scheffer. 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 workers’ compensation claims 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: Robin Scheffer sustained two work injuries on May 6, 2016, and September 14, 2022. Risk Management Services accepted the claims and provided benefits pursuant to statute and administrative rules. Further investigation indicates there is risk the City may be found liable for additional expenses. Therefore, to limit the risk of an adverse decision, it is prudent to compromise the claims at this time. Risk Management Services and the City Attorney recommend the claims be compromised for the total sum of $75,000, less payment of $4,827.18, to Columbia Pain & Spine Institute, subject to claimant providing the City with a release in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The City Administrator is authorized settle this claim in the amount of $70,172.82 made payable to Scheffer’s attorneys: Bottini Bottini & Oswald. The City Administrator is authorized settle this claim in the amount of $4,827.18 to Columbia Pain & Spine Institute. Risk Management Services will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in subparagraph A and B. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling these workers’ compensation claims; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

12 yea 0 nay