CC SR 20260707 E - Kelly Johnson Claim Rejection
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 07/07/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider a claim against the City by Kelly Johnson.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Reject the claim and direct Staff to notify the claimant, Kelly Johnson.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Godinez, Human Resources & Risk Manager VG
REVIEWED BY: Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Kelly Johnson claim (page A-1)
BACKGROUND:
The 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 are forwarded by the
Authority to a third-party claims administrator, Athens Administrators (“Athens”) for
review.
Athens staff review each claim on its merits and contacts the City with any requested
action pertaining to the disposition of the claim. City Staff and the City Attorney review
each claim when received and work closely with Athens throughout the claims process.
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DISCUSSION:
Claimant:
On April 30, 2026, the City received a claim for damages from Kelly Johnson. The claim
was referred to Athens Administrators for review and investigation. The claimant states
that the City is responsible for his injuries due to a trip and fall over a raised concrete
sidewalk.
Deposition:
Athens Administrators has completed its review of the claim and recommends that the
City reject the claim. Based on its investigation, Athens determined that the sidewalk was
raised by approximately one (1) inch, which constitutes a trivial defect and does not meet
the legal standard of a dangerous condition.
Accordingly, Athens recommends that the City reject the claim, as the City is not liable
for the damages alleged.
CONCLUSION:
Athens Administrators recommends rejecting the claim for damages.
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