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192026

Emergency Ordinance

*Pay workers’ compensation claims of Jerome Johnson for $100,000 involving Portland Parks & Recreation

Passed

The City of Portland ordains.

Section 1.  The Council finds:

  1. Jerome Johnson sustained a work injury on July 26, 2021. Risk Management Services accepted and processed the claim to closure. 
     
  2. Further investigation indicates there is risk the City may be found additionally liable. Therefore, to avoid the risk of an adverse decision, it is prudent to compromise the claim at this time. 
     
  3. Risk Management Services and the City Attorney recommend the claim be compromised for the total sum of $100,000, subject to 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 $100,000 made payable to Johnson’s attorneys: Thomas Coon Newton & Frost Trust Account.
  2. Risk Management Services will execute a payment authorization in the amount set forth in subparagraph A.

 Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to avoid undue and costly delay in settling these workers’ compensation claims; 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 workers’ compensation claims brought by Jerome Johnson resulting from an occupational disease.

Financial and Budgetary Impacts

This legislation will have no impact on City revenue.

Total cost to the City to settle these claims is $100,000. The source of funding is the City’s Workers’ Compensation Claims Fund.  All cost of the settlement is in the current fiscal year. This Ordinance does not amend the budget.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 workers’ compensation claims resulting from an occupational disease claim for Jerome Johnson. No public involvement or input was sought regarding this Ordinance. 

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

Workers' Compensation claim for a work injury sustained on July 26, 2021 involving Portland Parks & Recreation. Total cost to the City to settle the claim is $100,000. The source of funding is the City's Workers' Compensation Claims Fund. All costs of the settlement are in the current fiscal year.

Document History

Document number: 2025-061

Agenda Council action
Regular Agenda
City Council
Passed

Votes
  • Aye (12):
    • Avalos
    • Dunphy
    • Smith
    • Kanal
    • Ryan
    • Koyama Lane
    • Morillo
    • Novick
    • Clark
    • Green
    • Zimmerman
    • Pirtle-Guiney

Document number

2025-061

Introduced by

City department

Service area

Contact

Viki Bisby

Senior Workers Compensation Analyst

Jonas Biery

Deputy City Administrator - Budget & Finance Service Area

Agenda Type

Regular

Date and Time Information

Meeting Date
Time Requested
20 minutes
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