Title
Dept./ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Civil Litigation
Docket No.: ESX-L-8870-15
Claimant: Hajeema Edman-Sutton
Claimant's Attorney: Richard A. Reinartz, Esq.
Attorney's Address: The Reinartz Law Firm, LLC, 21 Main Street, Suite 205, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Settlement Amount: $135,000.00
Funding Source: Insurance Trust Fund
Additional Comments:
Invitation: Corporation Counsel
body
WHEREAS, Plaintiff, Hajeema Edman-Sutton, instituted a suit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Essex County, captioned Hajeema Edman-Sutton v. City of Newark, the Newark Fire Department, and Jihaad North, Docket No. ESX-L-8870-15, in which the plaintiff sought recovery for damages allegedly sustained on April 23, 2015, as a result of the alleged actions and omissions of the City of Newark and/or its agents; and
WHEREAS, a settlement proposal has been made to resolve this litigation in its entirety by execution of a Settlement Agreement and Release and payment to plaintiff in the total amount of One Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($135,000.00) ("Settlement Sum"); 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 execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release and payment of the proposed Settlement Sum.
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 One Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($135,000.00), which payment will be made jointly payable to: "Hajeema Edman-Sutton and The Reinartz Law Firm LLC" and mailed to: The Reinartz Law Firm, 21 Main Street, Suite 205, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.
3. Annexed hereto is the Certification of Funds issued by the Director of the Department of Finance, which states that there are available sufficient legally appropriate funds from: Business Unit NW025, Dept. ID 25T, Division/Project 5T25 and Account #96320, in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($135,000.00) for the purpose set forth herein.
4. The Corporation Counsel shall file a copy of the Comptroller's Certification and this resolution in the Office of the City Clerk.
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.
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 captioned Hajeema Edman-Sutton Flores v. City of Newark, the Newark Fire Department, and Jihaad North, Docket No. ESX-L-8870-15, in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($135,000.00), in exchange for Plaintiff's dismissal of any and all claims against the City of Newark and its employees, and a complete release.