*Pay settlement of Woodstock et al. civil-rights and personal-injury lawsuit in the sum of $938,328 involving the Portland Police Bureau
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
In Woodstock, et al, nine individual plaintiffs, through their attorneys, filed a civil-rights and personal-injury lawsuit against the City for damages involving the Portland Police Bureau in multiple incidents during the summer of 2020.
The claims have 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.
City Attorney, Risk Management Services, and Portland Police Bureau recommend the lawsuit be compromised for the total sum of $938,327.64, subject to the claimants providing the City with a release in a form to be approved by the City Attorney.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver a check in the amount of $938,327.64 made payable to BraunHagey & Borden LLP.
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 civil-rights and personal-injury lawsuit; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Exhibits and Attachments
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 personal-injury lawsuit brought by Woodstock et al. relating to journalists and legal observers at the 2020 protests.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This legislation will have no impact on City revenue.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Not applicable
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
This Ordinance settles tort claims relating to journalists and legal observers at the 2020 protests involving the Portland Police Bureau. 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 tort claims against the City of Portland.
100% Renewable Goal
This legislation will have no impact on City energy use.
Document History
Document number: 2025-060