CC SR 20250715 D - Claim Against the City (Scherman Singh)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 07/15/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration of a claim against the City by Scherman Singh.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Reject the claim and direct Staff to notify the claimant, Scherman Singh.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Nathan Zweizig, Acting Deputy City Clerk
REVIEWED BY: Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Scherman Singh 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 April 17, 2025, the City received a claim for damages from Scherman Singh. The claim
was referred to Carl Warren for review and investigation. The claimant states the City’s
tree trimmers dropped tree branches onto claimant’s parked vehicle. The claimant alleges
that the City is responsible for damage to his vehicle due to the City’s Maintenance
Superintendent and City Manager ordering the tree trimming.
Deposition:
Carl Warren has reviewed the claim and advised the City to reject it due to the
determination that the City has no liability for this accident. The tree trimming contractor
has accepted Carl Warren’s tender and will adhere to the indemnification terms of the
contract. Carl Warren recommends denying the claim for damages.
2
A-1
A-2
City of RPV
Claim #: 2025-12
A-3
Landscaper
A-4
A-5
Front Hood Damage
A-6
A-7
A-8
A-9
A-10
A-11
A-12
A-13
A-14
A-15
A-16
A-17
A-18
Roof and Fender Damage
A-19
A-20
A-21
Repair Costs
A-22
A-23
A-24
A-25
A-26
Total Damages Incurred:
Damage Repair Cost:$4,405.45Loss of Use:$94.55Depreciated Value of Chattel: $500
Total Damage:$5,000
A-27