HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1988/07/26 Item 07
COONCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 7
ITEM TITLE:
Resolution)? 7 ~ 7 Appropriating
Skore a v. Cit of Chula Vista
Meeting Date 7/26/88
$50,000 for the defense of
SUBMITTED BY: City Attorney,
,
(4/5ths Vote: Yes ...!..No_)
The City has retained the firm of McDermott, Will & Emery for defense in
Skorepa v. city of Chula Vista, a case which challenges the City's election
system. By adoption of this resolution, the Council would appropriate $50,000
for defense of this lawsuit.
RECOMMENDATION: That the resolution be adopted.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: N/A
DISCUSSION:
Plaintiffs have filed voting rights actions against the city of Chula Vista
along with San Diego and National City alleging that the current election
system discriminates against hispanics. These lawsuits would seek to impose
district elections on all three cities.
All three cities have hired John McDermott of McDermott, Will & Emery to
provide defense in these cases. Based on Mr. McDermott's current evaluation
of the case, he estimates that it can be defended for a cost not to exceed
$50,000. The City keeps a reserve fund for defense of tort litigation, but
this case does not fit under that category. The amount we set aside for the
defense and settlement of tort cases is based upon our experience and our
insurance consultant's recommendations. This fund does not take into account
unusual cases such as voting rights cases. For that reason, rather than
deplete our tort reserve fund, I recommend that we appropriate money from the
General Fund for the defense of this case.
FISCAL IMPACT: Appropriate $50,000 from the unappropriated balance of the
General Fund and transfer said money in the City Attorney's Professional
Services Account 100-0150-5201.
4426a
th.e City COll:lcil of
Chula Vista, C(~:iiornia
Dated ~ 4/