Chapter 2.68
LEGAL DEFENSE FOR CITY OFFICIALS
Sections:
2.68.020 Legal representation.
2.68.040 Determination of exclusion.
2.68.050 Representation and payment of claims – Conditions.
2.68.060 Effect on compliance with conditions.
2.68.070 Failure to comply with conditions.
2.68.080 Reimbursement of incurred expenses.
2.68.090 Conflict with provision of insurance policies.
2.68.010 Definitions.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Official” means any person who is serving or has served as an elected or appointed city official and any person who is serving or has served as an appointed member of any city board, commission or committee.
(2) “Employee” means any person who is or has been employed by the city. (Ord. 503 § 1, 1989).
2.68.020 Legal representation.
(1) As a condition of service or employment with the city of Normandy Park, the city shall provide an official or employee, subject to the conditions and requirements of this chapter and notwithstanding the fact that such official or employee may have concluded service or employment with the city, such legal representation as may be reasonably necessary to defend a claim or lawsuit filed against such official or employee resulting from any conduct, act or omission of such official or employee performed or omitted on behalf of the city in his or her capacity as a city official or employee, which act or omission is within the scope of his or her service or employment with the city.
(2) Except as may be provided in any applicable policy of municipal insurance or when the city council may designate a special attorney, such legal representation shall be provided by the city attorney. (Ord. 503 § 2, 1989).
2.68.030 Exclusions.
(1) The obligations assumed under this chapter by the city and the city attorney shall not apply to:
(a) Any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious act of any official or employee;
(b) Any act of an official or employee which is not performed on behalf of the city;
(c) Any action which is outside the scope of an official’s or employee’s service or employment with the city; or
(d) Any lawsuit brought by or on behalf of the city.
(2) The provisions of this chapter shall have no force or effect with respect to any accident, occurrence or circumstance of which the city or the official or employee is insured against loss or damages under the terms of any valid insurance policy. (Ord. 503 § 3, 1989).
2.68.040 Determination of exclusion.
The determination of whether an official or employee is entitled to a defense by the city under the terms of this chapter shall be made by the city council. Except as provided by the laws or the constitution of the state, no council member shall be barred from participating or voting in such determination. There shall be no appeal from such determination, except to the superior court by means of an action for declaratory judgment. (Ord. 503 § 4, 1989).
2.68.050 Representation and payment of claims – Conditions.
The provision of this chapter shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) In the event of any incident or course of conduct potentially giving rise to a claim for damage or the commencement of a suit, the official or employee involved shall, as soon as practicable, give the city attorney written notice thereof, identifying the official or employee involved, all information known to the official or employee with respect to the date, time, place and circumstances surrounding the incident or conduct giving rise to the claim or lawsuit, as well as the names and addresses of all persons allegedly injured or otherwise damaged thereby, and the names and addresses of all witnesses.
(2) Upon receipt thereof, the official or employee shall forthwith deliver any claim, demand, notice or summons or other process relating to any such incident or conduct to the city attorney and; upon request, assist in making subrogation against any persons or organizations that may be liable to the city because of any damage or claim of loss arising from such incident or course of conduct.
(3) Such official or employee shall attend interviews, depositions, hearings and trials and shall assist in securing and giving evidence and obtaining attendance of witnesses.
(4) Such official or employee shall not accept nor voluntarily make any payments, assume any obligation, or incur any expense other than for first aid to others at the time of any incident or course of conduct giving rise to any such claim, loss or damage. (Ord. 503 § 5, 1989).
2.68.060 Effect on compliance with conditions.
If legal representation of an official or employee is undertaken by the city attorney, all of the conditions of representation are met, and a judgment is entered against the official or employee, or a settlement made, the city shall pay such judgment or settlement; provided, that the city may, at its discretion, appeal as necessary such judgment. (Ord. 503 § 6, 1989).
2.68.070 Failure to comply with conditions.
In the event that an official or employee fails or refuses to comply with any of the conditions of NPMC 2.68.050, or elects to provide his or her own representation with respect to any such claim or litigation, then all of the provisions of this chapter shall be inapplicable and have no force or effect with respect to any such claim or litigation; provided, however, nothing contained in this section shall prevent an official or employee from obtaining personal legal representation at his or her own expense to act in cooperation with the attorney designated by the city. (Ord. 503 § 7, 1989).
2.68.080 Reimbursement of incurred expenses.
(1) If the city council determines that an official or employee does not come within the provisions of this chapter and a court of competent jurisdiction later determines that such claim does come within the provisions of this chapter, then the city shall pay any judgment rendered against the official or employee and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in defending against the claim. The city shall pay any reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in obtaining the determination that such claim is covered by the provisions of this chapter.
(2) If the city council determines that a claim against a city official or employee does come within the provisions of this chapter and a court of competent jurisdiction later finds that such claim does not come within the provisions of this chapter, then the city shall be reimbursed for costs or expenses incurred in obtaining the determination that such claim is not covered by the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 503 § 8, 1989).
2.68.090 Conflict with provision of insurance policies.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to modify or amend any provision of any policy of insurance where any city official or employee thereof is named insured. In the event of any such conflict between this chapter and the provisions of any such policy of insurance, the policy provision shall be controlling; provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to limit or restrict any employee’s or official’s right to full coverage pursuant to this chapter, it being the intent of this chapter and section to provide complete coverage outside and beyond insurance policies which may be in effect, while not compromising the terms and conditions of such policies by any conflicting provisions contained in this chapter. (Ord. 503 § 9, 1989).
2.68.100 Pending claims.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any pending claim or lawsuit against an official or employee or any such claim or lawsuit hereafter filed, irrespective of the date of the events or circumstances which are the basis of such claim or lawsuit. (Ord. 503 § 10, 1989).