(a) There is hereby created a Claims Board for the City which shall consist of the members of the Finance Committee of Council.
(Ord. 74-97. Passed 6-16-97.)
(b) The Claims Board shall have the power to review all claims filed against the City and shall determine if payment of an amount of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) or less shall be made by the City. The Claims Board is hereby authorized to negotiate, comprise and resolve submitted claims in an amount not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) without further Council approval. The Claims Board is authorized to seek assistance from the City insurance carrier for investigation and recommendations on claims filed.
(Ord. 74-97. Passed 6-16-97.)
(c) The meetings of the Claims Board shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the Board may determine. All meetings shall be held in compliance with Chapter 107.
(d) All claims shall be initiated by filing a claims form with the office of the Director of Public Safety and Service who shall review and investigate each claim and report his findings at a meeting of the Board convened for this purpose. The Board shall either approve the claim as a moral or legal liability of the City or disapprove the claim. The decision of the Board shall be submitted in writing to the claimant. If the claim is approved, it shall be paid from the proper fund upon the execution by the claimant of a release to the City of all liability. All actions of the Claims Board shall be by a majority vote of its members.
(Ord. 129-82. Passed 11-15-82.)
(e) Prior to the Claims Board action on any item as a moral or legal liability of the City, the Board shall solicit a written opinion from the Law Director’s office that will include the Law Director’s office recommendations regarding disposition of the claim.
(f) Any claimant may petition the entire Council for a modification of the decision of the Claims Board by filing with the Clerk of Council a “Notice of Appeal” within thirty days from the date the claimant received notice of the Claims Board decision regarding the claim filed. Failure to properly file and perfect a claimant’s “Notice of Appeal” shall operate as a bar to any further administrative claims by the claimant on the subject matter of the claim sought.
(g) The Claims Board shall file a report with the Clerk of Council regarding any action taken on claims reviewed by the Claims Board at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting from the date of the decision of the Claims Board.
(Ord. 74-97. Passed 6-16-97.)