HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #11 Settlement Demand Letter, re: James A. Pittman1R '_
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AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: August 19, 2014
Item # � I
Contact Name:
Scott Cookson, City
Attorney
407 - 581 -9715
Reviewed By:
Contact Number:
Department Director:
City Manager:
Subject: Settlement Demand Letter, re: James A. Pittman
Background Summary:
In October 2013, James A. Pittman was issued a red light camera Notice of Violation for failure to turn
right on red in a careful and prudent manner. Mr. Pittman requested a hearing to contest the citation.
In February 2014, the City's Hearing Officer upheld the violation. Subsequently, Mr. Pittman began to
visit City Hall, the Police Department and the City Attorney's office numerous times each week.
During these visits, Mr. Pittman frequently became irate and confrontational.
On April 16, 2014, after one such visit to the Police Department, Mr. Pittman was involved in a traffic
accident and was issued a citation for careless driving. The following day, Mr. Pittman arrived on his
own accord at the Police Department. Mr. Pittman met with several police officers in the lobby of the
police department and just outside the front door. Mr. Pittman claims that he was unlawfully detained
by the police during this encounter.
Mr. Pittman subsequently hired an attorney and that attorney has threatened to sue the City. While no
suit has been filed yet, Mr. Pittman, through his attorney, has made a pre -suit offer of settlement with
the City paying to Pittman $10,000. The City Attorney's office conducted an investigation of the
matter. The investigation included meeting with several of the officers involved and reviewing the
video of Mr. Pittman's visit to the police station from the cameras inside the lobby and outside of the
police station.
Issue:
Should the City accept Mr. Pittman's pre -suit offer of settlement by paying Mr. Pittman $10,000?
Recommendations
Based on the investigation conducted by the City Attorney's office, it is our recommendation that the
City not accept Mr. Pittman's pre -suit offer of settlement.
Attachments:
None.
Financial Impact:
If the City were to accept the offer of settlement, the City would pay to Mr. Pittman $10,000.00.
Type of Item: (please mark with an `k')
Public Hearing
For Clerk's Dept Use:
Ordinance First Reading
Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading
Public Hearing
Resolution
Regular Agenda
X Commission Approval
Discussion & Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney
Reviewed by Finance Dept.
Reviewed by Q
N/A
N/A
N/A
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