RESOLUTION NO. _
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AND SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY FOR
THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY AND RISK MANAGER
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 2020-18, the City Council established contract and settlement limits for the Risk Manager, City Attorney, and City Manager; and
WHEREAS, for the expedient settlement of claims against the City, it has become necessary, as claim values against the City have grown and claim handling responsibilities within the City have evolved, that increased settlement and contract authority limits be adopted; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 935.4, the City may by Resolution divest settlement authority in any one employee for claims received pursuant to the Government Claims Act in an amount not to exceed $50,000; and
WHEREAS, the City Council can authorize a higher settlement amount for claims not governed by the Government Claims Act or where settlements are a pproved by my than a single employee.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT I S HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The findings above are true.
2. All prior Resolutions, to the extent they grant settlement or contract authority which is in conflict with the authority granted by this Resolution, are hereby rescinded.
3. Pursuant to Government Code section 934.5, the Risk Manager (or, during periods when that position is unfilled , an employee designated by the City Manager) is authorized to settle claims against the City of Santa Maria, including claims through the workers’ compensation system against the City of Santa Maria not in excess of $50,000.
4. The Risk Manager (or, during periods when that position is unfilled, an employee designated by the City Manager ), together with the City Attorney, are authorized to settle both claims and other legal liabilities, including claims through the workers’ compensation system, against the City of Santa Maria, not in excess of $100,000.
5. The City Manager, together with the City Attorney, are authorized to settle both claims and other legal liabilities, including claims through the workers’ compensation system, against the City of Santa Maria, not in excess of $175,000.
6. All settlements of claims or legal liabilities against the City of Santa Maria in excess of $175,000 shall be approved by the City Council.
7. The City Manager is further authorized to enter into contracts without City Council approval in an amount not to exceed the informal bidding limits for the type of agreement as indicated in the City’s Purchasing Guidelines or th eir successor document.
8. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance with the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held on this 17th of September 2024.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Head
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City Manager