03-03-82 Finance Comm MinutesMINUTES OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee met at 4:20 P.M., Wednesday, March 3, in the committee
room at City Hall. Present were Councilmen Nystul, Ruiz, Saverud, O'Boyle,
Mayor McDowell, Acting Attorney Ogle, and DPW Haffermann.
Councilman Ruiz explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the status
of the litigation against the City by neighbors to the Waste Water Treatment
Plant. The litigation has been on the back burner for some time. However, the
complaintants have been prodding it along recently.
Attorney S.Y. Larrick represents one of the insurance companies that insured
the City. There are a total of three insurance companies involved. The
companies do not admit liability for any claim that may be awarded but are
defending subject to a determination of any liability. They also have a suit
amongst themselves to determine which, if any company may be liable for any
judgement or for defending the City.
It was stated that a professor from a Washington university had been engaged
to be the expert witness for the City and the insurance companies. His costs
were agreed to be shared 1/4 each some time ago. The City Attorney will
research the file to see if there was a written memorandum or what.
It is now requested that former City Attorney, Mr. Donahue, be engaged to
assist Attorney Larrick in the suit. He is the only one who has been involved
from day one of the project. He has agreed to be a consultant for $25/hour.
An item in the budget under revenue sharing was reported by Councilman Ruiz
to have been set aside for this case. Mr. Donahue's costs would be shared
1/4 each.
The Committee was asked if there was any objection to this. Chairman Nystul
stated that in absence of guidelines from the Council on the operation of the
Committee or the utilization of an approved budget, that the matter should be
reported to the entire Council. None present had any objection to the hiring.
There being no other discussion the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 P.M.
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