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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY - WKRS COMP 03-01-04 AGENDA REPORT Agenda Item 7 Reviewed: ~ City Manager Finance Director N/A MEETING DATE: MARCH 1, 2004 WilLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER TO: FROM: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY SUMMARY: The City has followed an administrative policy for settlement authority with the same limits as detailed in the proposed Resolution for many years. Resolution No. 04-19 will codify the appropriate limits as adopted by the City Council. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 04-19 clarifying the authority of the City Manager, or his designee, to settle Workers' Compensation claims. FISCAL IMPACT: None DISCUSSION: Resolution No. 04-19 simply formally adopts an administrative policy that has been followed by the City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director and Human Resources Director for many years. Settlement for most Workers' Compensation claims is established within the guidelines of Workers' Compensation laws; there is typically little settlement movement due to the significant formalized structure inherent in the Workers' Compensation system. As such, claims settlement is typically an agreement reached prior to litigation by all involved parties that closely mirrors what the City believes would be the ultimate outcome should an employee follow a claim through the system. The formal adoption of settlement authority is a practice recommended by the Board of the City's insurance JPA, the California Insurance Pool Authority (CIPA). ~~L~ n~- Arlene Marks, SPHR Director of Human Resources Attachment - Resolution 04-19 S:\City Council Agenda Items\2004\Agenda Report WC Claims Settlement.doc RESOLUTION NO. 04-19 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR THE CITY MANAGER'S DESIGNEES TO SETTLE WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS UP TO THE LIMIT OF THE CITY'S SELF-INSURED RETENTION WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a resolution providing for the settlement of claims, which does not include workers compensation claims; WHEREAS, most cities authorize the City Manager or the City Manager's Designees to settle workers compensation claims up to a certain amount. It is not uncommon for that amount to be the limit of the City's Self-Insured Retention; WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize the City Manager or the City Manager's Designees to settle workers compensation claims as provided in this resolution and further to report on significant claims from time to time to the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, resolves, determines and orders as follows: 1. The City Manager or the City Manager's Designees shall have the authority to settle workers compensation claims up to the limit of the City's Self-Insured Retention, providing that amount is within the City's adopted budget. That the City Manager or the City Manager's Designees shall report to the City Council on workers compensation claims that exceed or are estimated to exceed $100,000.00. 2. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 17th day of February 2004. TONY KAWASHIMA, Mayor ATTEST: PAMELA STOKER, City Clerk Resolution No. 04-19 Page 1 of 2 STATE OF CALIFORNIA) COUNTY OF ORANGE) SS CITY OF TUSTIN ) I, Pamela Stoker, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council of the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 04-19 was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 2nd day of February, 2004 by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: PAMELA STOKER, City Clerk Resolution No. 04-19 Page 2 of 2