File #: 25-0144    Version: 1 Name: Quiroz-Pozo Civil Settlement
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 1/28/2025 In control: Law
On agenda: 4/16/2025 Final action: 4/16/2025
Title: Dept/ Agency: Law Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending Purpose: Settlement of Civil Litigation Docket No.: ESX-L-002767-20 Claimant: Marlene Quiroz-Pozo Claimant's Attorney: Peter J. DeFrank, Esq. Attorney's Address: Peter J. DeFrank, DeFrank Law Group, 986 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424 Settlement Amount: $60,000.00 Funding Source: Insurance Trust Fund/Business Unit: NW025; Dept.: 25T; Div./Proj.: 5T25; Account #: 96320; Budget Ref.: B2025 Additional Information:
Sponsors: Council of the Whole
Title
Dept/ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Civil Litigation
Docket No.: ESX-L-002767-20
Claimant: Marlene Quiroz-Pozo
Claimant's Attorney: Peter J. DeFrank, Esq.
Attorney's Address: Peter J. DeFrank, DeFrank Law Group, 986 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424
Settlement Amount: $60,000.00
Funding Source: Insurance Trust Fund/Business Unit: NW025; Dept.: 25T; Div./Proj.: 5T25; Account #: 96320; Budget Ref.: B2025
Additional Information:

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WHEREAS, Plaintiff, captioned, Marlene Quiroz-Pozo v City of Newark et al., DOCKET NO. ESX-L-002767-20, instituted a suit in the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage, in which the plaintiff sought recovery of damages for personal injury allegedly sustained on or about April 20, 2018, as a result of the alleged actions of the City of Newark; and

WHEREAS, a settlement proposal has been made to resolve this litigation in its entirety by payment in the total amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($60,000.00)("Settlement Sum") and execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release; and

WHEREAS, to avoid the costly expense of litigation, the Parties and the City's Corporation Counsel desire to amicably resolve this matter with payment by the City of Newark of the Settlement Sum, in exchange for Plaintiff's execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release, attached hereto, as full and complete release of the matter; and

WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel based upon all facts and circumstances presented, deems it in the best interest of the City of Newark to resolve said matter by payment of the proposed Settlement Sum and execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:

1. The Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized on behalf of the City of Newark to execute and accept the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release, attached hereto.

2. Upon receipt by the Corporation Counsel of all documents deemed necessary, the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to issue payment in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($60,000.00), which payments will be made jointly to "Marlene Quiroz-Pozo and Peter J. DeFrank, Esq." and mailed to Peter J. DeFrank, Esq., DeFrank Law Group, 986 McBride Avenue, Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424.

3. Annexed hereto is the Certification of Funds issued by the Director of Finance, City of Newark, which states that there are available sufficient legally-appropriated funds and the following line shall be charged: Business Unit: NW025; Dept.: 25T; Div./Proj.: 5T25; Account #: 96320; Budget Ref.: B2025, in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ( $60,000.00), for the purpose set forth herein.

4. A copy of the Comptroller's Certification shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk along with this Resolution by the Corporation Counsel.

5. The Corporation Counsel shall file a fully executed copy of the Settlement Agreement and Release in the Office of the City Clerk.

6. This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption in accordance with applicable State Law.

7. The Settlement Agreement and Release and Resolution does not admit, nor should it be construed as an admission of liability or violation of any law, statute or regulation or a breach of any duty by the City of Newark, its agents, officers and/or employees whatsoever and is entered into based upon recommendations of the Corporation Counsel and is intended to eliminate all risks and future litigation costs.

STATEMENT

This Resolution authorizes the Corporation Counsel on behalf of the City of Newark to enter into a Settlement Agreement and Release to settle civil litigation in the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage, captioned, Marlene Quiroz-Pozo v City of Newark et al., DOCKET NO. ESX-L-002767-20, in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($60,000.00), in exchange for the Plaintiff's dismissal of any and all claims against the City of Newark and/or its agents, officers, and its employees, and it constitutes a complete release.