Resolution No. 5217
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18 facts and it is believed that the admission of all relevant
19 evidence at a trial wherein punitive damages are sought w.ould
20' help prevent any unjust award of punitive damages against
21 public employees; and
22 WHEREAS ,it is believed that municipalities should have
23 the authority to either pay for or insure their employees against
24 punitive damages: and
25 of punitive damages do constitute
26 disincentives t.o qualified persons to enter or remain in the
27 public service and is therefore cont.rary to the interests of all
28 citizens of this Stat$1 and
RESOLUTION NO. 5217
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VERNON EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT OF SENATE
BILL 969 WHICH AUTHORIZES BUT DOES NOT
OBLIGATE A CITY TO PAY PUNITIVE DAMAGES ON
BEHALF OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
WHEREAS, plaintiffS in lawsuits instituted aqainst
public officials and employees are increasingly seeking punitive
damages knowing that because such officers and employees are
personally liable, there is greater pressure towards settlement
of the litigation even where such claims are not well founded;
and
WHEREAS, there are instances where punitive damages have
been awarded by juries against public officials and employees
principally because such persons are perceived to be unpopular
defendants; and
WHEREAS/ juries have awarded punitive damages against.
public officers because relevant but prejudicial evidence was
excluded at trial and the juries were not apprised of all the
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WHEREAS, Senate Bill 969 would authorize cities, but
not obligate cities, to pay punitive damages on behalf of public
employees; and
WHEREAS, support of Senate Bill 969 would' be in the
best interests of the City of Vernon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That the City Council of the City of Vernon
expresses its strong support of Senate Bill 969 and urges the
members of the Legislature to pass said bill.
SECTION 2: That the City Clerk of the City of Vernon
is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to
legislative representatives of the City of Vernon.
SECTION 3: That the City Clerk of the City of Vernon
shall certify to the passage of this Resolution and thereupon
and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2~th day of September, 1985.
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ATTEST:
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1 i STATE OF CALIFORNIA
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2 COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
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4 I I, BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk of the-City of
5 I Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being
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Resolution No. 5217
, was duly adopted by the City Council
7 of the City of Vernon, and was approved by the Mayor of said
8 City at an adjourned meeting of the City Council held on
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September 24
, 19 85.
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BRUCE V. MALKENHORST, City Clerk
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( SEAL)
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