85-1682 WHITE - CITV CLERK
PINK - FINANCE GITY OF SAINT PAUL Council � J��a � �
CANARV - DEPARTMENT Flle NO•
BLUE - MAVOR
Cou ci R sol ion
Presented By
Referred To_ Committee: Date
Out of Committee By Date
�ESULVED, that pur�uant to the Order Approving Settlement
of �he District Coux-c, the proper City officers are hereby authorized
and directec� 'co pay out of �.he Torz Liabili�ty Fund 09070-511°000
to Anthony ualdez, as parent and na�ural guardian of 5unnie Lyn
Valdez, a rninor, and his at�torney, vohn E. Gilsdorf, �the sum of
$11, 000 . 00 in full set-tlement of hi� CZF�1TIl foz damages sus�i�ained
,?anuary 11, 1934 , as a result of an automobile accident involving
_ a St. Paul police sauad car at or near University and Arundel in
St. �'aul.
COUNCILMEN � Requested by Department of:
Yeas Nays �
Drew
Masanz [n Favor
Nicosia
Scheibel ,�c�
Sonnen �� _ A gainst BY
Tedesco
W i Ison
DEC 1 g 1985 Form Approved by City ttorney
Adopted by Council: Date
Certified Pa: d ouncil ret B
By
Approv Mavor: Date - DEC 2 3 �985 Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
B BY
PUC�1�a;3�!� ^�..r , � 1:3�5
r���� �� �� �a
. . ��� 1 a �� �� �� ���
���_•�, ���`� cG.����� oF�IC� CITY OF SAINT PAUL
o" '�� � � ��'�'°��-� ����p�• OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
�,+ _�����" �� EDWARD P. STARR, CITY ATTORNEY
,•
,`0'+��.� 647 City Hall,Saint Paul,Minnesota 55102
612-298-5121
GEORGE LATIMER
MAYOR
MEMORANDUM
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Frank E. Villaume, III�'�f�
Assistant City Attorney
DATE: December 9, 1985
RE: Claim against the City of Saint Paul
by Sunnie Lyn Valdez
This claim arises from an automobile/pedestrian accident that
took place on January 11, 1984 at the intersection of University
Avenue and Arundel Street. At that time plaintiff Sunnie Lyn
Valdez was 8 years old and resided with her father and siblings.
She was attempting to cross University Avenue from south to north
on the east side of Arundel when she was struck by a squad car
driven by St. Paul Police Officer Dennis Meyer, who was traveling
in an easterly direction in the center most lane. Both Officer
Meyer and Ms. Valdez have admitted that they did not see the other
before the impact.
There were three witnesses to the accident. Two women driving
east on University claim that Officer Meyer was not paying attention
to his driving at the time of the accident. A woman driving west
bound says she saw Ms. Valdez standing on the corner and at looked
as if she was about to run into the intersection. This witness
believes the plaintiff ran into the side of the patrol car, although
she did not see the actual impact. An accident reconstructionist
retained by the plaintiff concluded that if Officer Meyer had seen
Ms. Valdez as she stepped off the curb he would of had sufficient
time to stop before impact.
The plaintiff was treated at St. Paul Ramsey Hopsital for a mid-
shaft fracture of her left femur. There were no other associated
injuries of any significance. It was her physician' s opinion
that she will make a complete recovery. Her medical expenses
were approximately $9, 000 .
The City has agreed to pay the sum of $11, 000 in full and final
settlement of all claims. Minor settlements must also be approved
by the District Court and a Motion to consider that request is
scheduled for December 18 . Our office recommends approval of the
settlement.
FEV:paw
enc.
cc. Mayor ' s Off ice