ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Human Resources Item No: C6
Prepared by:
Analisa Holbrook, Risk & Safety Programs Mgr.
Natalie Jacobs, Human Resources Director Meeting Date: September 8, 2026 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: SETTLEMENT OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIM OF GRANT VALSTAD RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , authorizing settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Grant Valstad.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Routine operational item not directly corresponding to a specific City Council goal.
PRIOR ACTION: On September 26, 2023, approved City Council Resolution No. 2023-167, granting Settlement Authority to the City Manager and Risk Manager (Vote 5-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Settlements exceeding $50,000 require the approval of the City Council in accordance with City Council Resolution 2023-167, which is attached as Exhibit 2. Now retired Firefighter/Paramedic Grant Valstad (Valstad) sustained a work-related injury during the course of his employment. Staff recommend the City Council approve a compromise and release settlement providing Valstad with a lump sum payment of $100,000 for his future medical expenses. This compromise and release settlement permanently resolves his open workers’ compensation claim.
Authorizing this compromise and release settlement permanently closes the open claim and releases the City from future liability for medical expenses and associated costs. Declining to settle through the compromise and release process would require the City to continue paying for medical care, associated administrative costs, and any unexpected related medical complications in the future.
The terms and conditions of the proposed settlement are set forth in the request for settlement authority document, which is on file in the Human Resources Department. The terms and conditions were agreed upon by Valstad and the City, and have been recommended by AdminSure Inc., the City's workers’ compensation third-party administrator, and both parties’ legal counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of this settlement is $100,000. Sufficient funding is budgeted and available in the Fiscal Year 2026/27 operating budget.
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2026- , authorizing settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Grant Valstad
2.City Council Resolution No. 2023-167
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approved above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-158. Vote: 5-0
00107235 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF THE WORKERS’
COMPENSATION CLAIM OF GRANT VALSTAD IN THE AMOUNT OF
$100,000.00
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. AdminSure Inc., the City’s third-party administrator, has recommended a settlement of the Workers’ Compensation claim of Grant Valstad; and B. All parties have agreed to settle this claim before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
2. Action.
A. The expenditure of $100,000.00 is authorized for the settlement of said claim.
B. The City Council approves the Request for Settlement Authority on file in the Human Resources Department.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on September 8, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
JOHN FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20260826132529
09/08/2026 C6 2 of 3
EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-167
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY
MANAGER AND RISK MANAGER
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following :
A. Vista Municipal Code section 1.28 .060 authorizes the City Council to delegate settlement authority to the City Manager and Risk Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney .
B. Government Code section 935.4 authorizes the City Council to delegate settlement authority to the City Manager and Risk Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney , in the maximum amount of $50 ,000 .
2. Action.
A. After consultation with the City Attorney , the Risk Manager may settle claims , including , liability and worker 's compensation claims , in an amount not to exceed $25 ,000 .
B. After consultation with the City Attorney , the City Manager may settle claims, including , liability and worker 's compensation claims , in an amount not to exceed $50 ,000 .
C. Settlements of claims in excess of $50 ,000 may only be approved by the City Council.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on September 26 , 2023 , by the following vote :
AYES :
NOES :
ABSTAIN :
APPR OVED
Wa lter C . Ch ung
202309131 44724
0 0111815 1)
A
KATHY VALDEZ , CITY CLERK
By :~l~
Mayor Franklin, Green, Contreras, Melendez, O'Donnell
None
None
09/08/2026 C6 3 of 3
EXHIBIT 2