HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/2025 07.G. Resolution authorizing settlement of damage claims filed by claimant James Bell, doing business as Northwest Liquidators `y s ljlt
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.G.
For Meeting of: May 20, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Resolution authorizing settlement of damage claims filed by claimant
James Bell, doing business as Northwest Liquidators (Risk
Management Fund)
SUBMITTED BY: Ryan Bleek, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
This resolution authorizes settlement of two related damage claims filed by James Bell, doing business
as Northwest Liquidators. The amounts to be paid by the City of Yakima to settle these claims are
$65,622.95 and $117,640, which are both within the City's self-insured retention amount under its
general liability insurance policy. Further background is provided in the recitals of the resolution.
ITEM BUDGETED: Yes
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Resilient Yakima
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Res-Settlement.docx
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RESOLUTION NO. R-2025-
A RESOLUTION authorizing settlement of damage claims filed by claimant James Bell,
doing business as Northwest Liquidators
WHEREAS, on November 10, 2023, and November 16, 2023 the City of Yakima's water
main running underneath the 500 block of S 2nd Avenue in Yakima, Washington suffered two
separate ruptures resulting in significant discharges of water; and
WHEREAS, James Bell, doing business as Northwest Liquidators, occupies a large
warehouse at 513 S 2nd Avenue where he stores hotel furniture for resale; and
WHEREAS, the water main ruptures caused flooding to the warehouse with the second
flooding incident pushing water farther into the warehouse than the first incident; and
WHEREAS, the claimant filed a damage claim for each flooding incident, identified as
YAK23-02441 and YAK23-02442, alleging significant damage to the contents of the warehouse;
and
WHEREAS, the City's third-party claims administrator investigated the claim, engaged the
services of a contents and pricing specialist to evaluate the claimed damages, and negotiated
settlement with the claimant contingent on City Council approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yakima deems it to be in the interest of the City
of Yakima to authorize the City Manager to settle the above-mentioned claims; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary to settle
YAK23-02441 and YAK23-02442 for$117,640 and $65,622.95, respectively.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 20th day of May, 2025.
ATTEST: Patricia Byers, Mayor
Rosalinda Ibarra, City Clerk
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