Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
08/23/2016
Agenda Report # 31
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Payment of Damages
INITIATED BY: Risk Management
Recommendation: Approval is requested to make payment of a total of $240,000
to Paul and Catrina Zimmerman for damages to their real property, in exchange
for a full release.
Background: In 2013 City contractors failed to reconnect the Zimmerman?s
house to the city combined sewer system after replacement of the old terra
cotta pipe system. This resulted in sewage backing up in December of 2015 and
flooding their basement. The family has not been able to live in their home
since that time.
Analysis: It has been determined that reconnection is most costly, and the
City proposes to purchase the property and pay for other alleged damages
sustained by the Zimmerman family. Damages have been negotiated internally,
and no legal fees are included in the $240,000 submitted for approval.
Financial Considerations: $130,000 of the total requested are budgeted in the
Stormwater Funded Capital Project: 0508-660-2000-9801 and $110,000 is budgeted
in Human Resources ? Risk Management ? Unfunded Claims ? Uninsured Losses:
0860-220-3830-6842.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney's office has approved the language of
this Resolution.
Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the Resolution for payment of alleged damages
in the amount of $240,000.
A RESOLUTION
NO._________
WHEREAS, Claimants Paul and Catrina Zimmerman have filed a claim for alleged
damages based on the severing of the sewer connection to their home; and
WHEREAS, Risk Management has investigated this claim and recommends a
settlement of $240,000 in exchange for a full release of all claims,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
We hereby authorize the City Attorney and the Finance Director to make
payment of $130,000 for purchase of the real property owned by claimants, and
an additional $110,000 to settle all other claims for alleged damages, in
exchange for a full release by claimants. The City Attorney and Finance
Director or their representatives are authorized to execute all appropriate
settlement documents to this effect.
_________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
_________ day of _____________, 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ____________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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