CITY OF OAKLAND
ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA x 6 TH FLOOR x OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 Office of the City Attorney
Ryan Richardson
City Attorney
FAX:
TDD:
(510) 238-3601
(510) 238-6500
(510) 839-6451
September 15, 2025
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Jacqueline Velasquez, Carla Mendoza, and Jonathan Mendoza Calmo, by his guardian ad litem Victorina Calmo v. City of Oakland and Does 1 through 100
Case No. RG18896233
City Attorney File No. 32520
(Department of Transportation – Dangerous Condition)
President Jenkins and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the City Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise and settlement of the above-entitled lawsuit for the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($500,000.00).
This lawsuit arises from arises from an accide nt on July 5, 2017 where an automobile drove into three pedestrians, Plaintiffs Jacqueline Velasquez, Carla Mendoza, and Jonathan Mendoza Calmo in the crosswalk across Fruitvale Avenue at the intersection of Brookdale Avenue, leading to serious injuries to the pedestrians, including paralysis to Jonathan Mendoza Calmo. Plaintiffs sued the City, alleging the intersection was a dangerous condition of public property. The City prevailed on its motion for summary judgment, and Plaintiffs appealed the case to the Cali fornia Court of Appeal, where the case is pending.
The City has determined that settlement in the amount of $500,000.00, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
The City Council authorized settlement of this case in Closed Session on Thursday, June 20, 2024 (moved by Councilmember Noel Gallo and seconded by Councilmember Dan Kalb - 6 Ayes, 2 Absent – Councilmembers Kevin Jenkins and Janani Ramachandran).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Kevin P. McLaughlin
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