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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
October 7, 2025
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Louella Santobello v. City of Oakland, Piedmont Grocery Store, 4038 Piedmont Avenue LLC, Mark Smith, and DOES 1-50
Alameda County Superior Court Case No. 23CV057157
City Attorney File No. 36405
(Department of Transportation – Trip and Fall)
President Jenkins and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the C ity Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise and settlement of the above-entitled lawsuit for the sum of One Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Dollars and Sixty- Seven Cents ($166,666.67).
This lawsuit arises from an incident on April 5, 2023, when Plaintiff Louella Santobello (“Santobello”) was walking on Monte Vista Avenue near Piedmont Avenue, and tripped on a two- inch uplift section of the sidewalk. The City received prior complaints about the uplift, which was likely caused by a nearby City tree. Santobello alleges Santobello suffered a fractured left elbow, damaged jawbone and chipped front teeth, and underw ent surgery for the injuries. The City has determined that settlement in the amount of $166,666.67, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
The City Council authorized settlement of th is case in Closed Session on Thursday, September 18, 2025 (moved by Councilmember Zac Unger and seconded by Councilmember Ken Houston - 7 Ayes, 1 Excused – Councilmember Janani Ramachandran).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Hans I. Moore
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