190936

Emergency Ordinance

*Pay settlement of Gabriel Watson employment lawsuit in the sum of $93,291 involving Portland Fire & Rescue

Passed

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

  1. Gabriel Watson, through his attorney Collin McKean, has filed a lawsuit against the City for employment discrimination and retaliation involving Portland Fire & Rescue on September 2, 2021. 
     
  2. The lawsuit has been investigated by Risk Management Services. The investigation indicates there is risk the City may be found liable.  Therefore, in order to avoid the risk of an adverse jury award, we feel it is prudent to compromise the lawsuit at this time.
     
  3. Risk Management Services recommends the lawsuit be compromised for the total sum of $93,290.60, subject to the claimant providing the City with a release in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

  1. The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a check in the amount of $46,645.30 made payable to McKean Smith Client Trust Account.
     
  2. The Mayor and City Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a payroll check for wages from Portland Fire & Rescue in the gross amount of $46,645.30, less deductions withheld, made payable to Gabriel Watson.
     
  3. Risk Management Services will execute the payment authorization in the amount set forth in sub-paragraph (A) above.
     
  4. Payroll will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in sub-paragraph (B) above.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this employment lawsuit; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)

Passed by Council

Auditor of the City of Portland
Mary Hull Caballero

Impact Statement

Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit brought by Gabriel Watson resulting from his employment with Portland Fire & Rescue.

Financial and Budgetary Impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue.

Total cost to the City to settle the lawsuit is $93,290.60. The source of funding is the City’s Insurance and Claims Fund. All cost of the settlement is in the next fiscal year. This Ordinance does not amend the budget.

Community Impacts and Community Involvement

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit resulting from Gabriel Watson’s employment with Portland Fire & Rescue. No public involvement or input was sought regarding this Ordinance. The City Attorney’s Office and Risk Management have concluded that it is not appropriate to have public involvement in settlement negotiations regarding tort claims or lawsuits against the City.

No future public involvement is anticipated or necessary.  Approval by City Council of this Ordinance will fully settle a tort claim against the City of Portland.

100% Renewable Goal

This legislation will have no impact on City energy use.

Agenda Items

650 Regular Agenda in July 20-21, 2022 Council Agenda

Passed

  • Former Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Yea
  • Commissioner Mingus Mapps Absent
  • Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
  • Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
  • Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea

Introduced by

Requested Agenda Type

Regular

Date and Time Information

Requested Council Date
Time Requested
15 minutes