passed ordinance 2026-027

*Pay settlement of Eric Heard employment discrimination lawsuit in the sum of $75,000 involving Portland Fire & Rescue

public safety
labor
equity
claim settlement

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

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This Ordinance settles an employment discrimination lawsuit brought by EricHeard, resulting from his 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 $75,000. 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 a lawsuit resulting from Eric Heard's employment involving 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: Eric Heard, through attorney David Shannon, has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit, Multnomah County Case Number 24CV22942, against the City alleging employment discrimination involving Portland Fire & Rescue on May 10, 2024. 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 $75,000, 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 City Administrator is authorized to settle the lawsuit in the amount of $75,000. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this employment discrimination lawsuit; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

10 yea 1 nay 1 other