information
Portland is a Sanctuary City

Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program, including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes, bias incidents, discrimination, and violations of Oregon's sanctuary laws.

191492

Emergency Ordinance

*Pay settlement of Barbara Semenza bodily injury lawsuit for $155,000 involving the Portland Bureau of Transportation

Passed

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

  1. Barbara Semenza, through attorneys Devin Robinson and Hala Gores, has filed a lawsuit against the City for injuries involving the Portland Streetcar on Sunday, August 29, 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, it is prudent to compromise the lawsuit at this time.
     
  3. Risk Management Services recommends the lawsuit be compromised for the total sum of $155,000, 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 City Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a check in the amount of $155,000 made payable to Devin Robinson Lawyer Trust Account FBO Barbara Semenza.
  2. Risk Management Services will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in sub-paragraph (A) above.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling this bodily injury 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
Simone Rede

Impact Statement

Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information

This Ordinance settles a bodily injury lawsuit brought by Barbara Semenza, resulting from a fall on Portland Streetcar.

Financial and Budgetary Impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue.

Total cost to the City to settle the lawsuit is $155,000.  The source of funding is the City’s Insurance and Claims Fund.  All cost of the settlement is in the current fiscal year.  This Ordinance does not amend the budget.

Community Impacts and Community Involvement

This Ordinance settles a lawsuit resulting from a fall involving the Portland Streetcar and the Portland Bureau of Transportation. 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.

Financial and Budget Analysis

Total cost to the City to settle the lawsuit is $155,000.  The source of funding is the City’s Insurance and Claims Fund.  All costs of the settlement are in the current fiscal year.   

Document History

Agenda Council action
Regular Agenda
City Council
Passed

Votes
  • Aye (5):
    • Mingus Mapps
    • Carmen Rubio
    • Ryan
    • Rene Gonzalez
    • Ted Wheeler

Requested Agenda Type

Regular

Date and Time Information

Requested Council Date
Time Requested
15 minutes
Back to top