passed ordinance 2025-428

*Pay settlement of Ashton and Tina Roberts bodily injury claims in the sum of $675,000 involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation

transportation
public safety
claim settlement

Department: Risk Management
Service area: City Operations
Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles two bodily injury claims brought by Ashton Roberts and Tina Roberts resulting from a bicycle accident involving the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation in southeast Portland.

Financial impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue. Total cost to the City to settle the claims is $675,000. 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.

Economic impacts

Not applicable

Community impacts

This Ordinance settles two tort claims resulting from a bicycle accident involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation. 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: Ashton Roberts and Tina Roberts through attorney Cynthia Newton filed claims against the City for injuries resulting from a bicycle accident involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation on July 10, 2024. The claims have 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 claims at this time. City Attorney, Risk Management Services, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation recommend the claims be compromised for the total sum of $675,000, subject to the claimants 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 to settle the claims in the amount of $675,000.00. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling these bodily injury claims; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

11 yea 0 nay 1 other