HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 85-365 N.C.S. 11/18/1985Resolution 1~10.85-365 N. ~. S. MJA: cw 11-18-85
of the City of ~Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING' THE "FAIR RECOVERY ACT OF 1986"
WHEREAS, the.present joint.and seyeral liability law, also known
as the "Deep Pocket Doctrine", has uiifair'ly c,os,t the cities of California
millions of dollars in court judgments, settlements, legal costs, skyrock-
eting insurance premiums and difficulty in obtaining adequate liability
insurance coverage; and .
WHEREAS, this same doctrine has also cost other governmental
bodies, business firms and professionals many millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the taxpayers
and consumers of Califo"rnia; and
WHEREA5, many cities, other gov.ernmental bodies, business firms
and professionals are selected as defendants in lawsuits merely because
of their perceived assets or insurance and often are found only fractionally
at fault but must pay most or all of the judgment because the defendants
most at fault cannot pay; and
WHEREAS, the cost of this is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and
consumers of Californ~ia;.and
WHEREAS, the "Fair.Responsibility Act of T986" is an initiative
measure that would give the voters of California an opportunity to
reform the inequities and injustices of the "Deep Pocke.t Doctrime" by
holding liability lawsuit defendants financially liable in closer
proportion to their degree of fault; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED Chat the City Council of the City of Petaluma endorse
the "Fair Responsibility. Act of 1986" and urge its support and passage to
relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its taxpayers.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Gouncil by the Charter of said City.
I fieieby certify the foregoing Resolution was introiiuced and adopted by the Approved-as t
Council of the City of Petaluma at a(Regular) .~/~'c~t'i~i~j~~i~e~tiy~ meeting form
on.the -••.,...18th.--. day of ....•--••--•NOVembeY'-••••• • .. 1_9.$5., by the .-
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following vote: •-••••-•-•-•--.... .:•-- • •-•---•••••••••-
. Cit Att ney
AYES: Bond/Davi~s/Woolsey/Tencer/V.M. Balshaw/Mayor Mattei
NOES: None
ABSENT,: ,Cava gh
ATTEST; :....-• ...... ............• •--,-_-.._..-••--.. . ..~~~'v........•---•---•-•••
City Clerk
Mayor
' Council File:.. . ..... . .
Fonn,CA',2 7181 Res.'No.... ~ ~ -~_~ ~. ..~ • C • S •