CC SR 20231219 D - Claim Against the City Soren Pato
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/19/2023
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action regarding a claim against the City by Soren Pato.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Reject the claim and direct Staff to notify the claimant, Soren Pato.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Enyssa Sisson, Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Soren Pato claim (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes (City) is a member of the California Joint Powers
Insurance Authority (Authority), which provides risk management services and handles
any liability claims received by the City. Under the current practice, claims presented to
the City Clerk are forwarded by the Authority to a third-party claims administrator, Carl
Warren, and Company (Carl Warren) for adjusting.
Carl Warren’s staff reviews each claim on its merits and contacts the City with any
requested action pertaining to the disposition of the claim. The City Clerk and the City
Attorney review each claim when received and work closely with Carl Warren throughout
the claims process.
1
Claimant:
On November 20, 2023, the City received a claim for damages from Soren Pato. The
claim was referred to Carl Warren for review and investigation. The claimant states that
his vehicle suffered damages on November 20, 2023. The claimant alleges the City is at
fault due to a City tree causing damage to his vehicle.
Deposition:
Carl Warren has reviewed the claim and advised the City to reject it due to the
determination that the branch fell due to the decolorization of the fallen limb. Tree
standards for trimming were met and the records established proved the tree to be in
good health. Carl Warren recommends denying the claim for damages.
2
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
A-5