[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cazenovia
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-21-1980 by L.L. No. 5-1980]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide legal and financial protection
for those individuals serving the Village of Cazenovia, from losses which
they may suffer in their individual capacity for actions taken while in the
performance of their official duties and responsibilities. In enacting this
chapter, the Board of Trustees finds that the State of New York has enacted
similar provisions for the legal and financial security of its officers and
employees and further finds that such security is also required for local
personnel. By enactment of this chapter, the Board of Trustees does not intend
to limit or otherwise abrogate any existing right or responsibility to the
Village or its employees with regard to indemnification or legal defense.
It is solely the intent of this chapter to provide similar coverage for local
employees as is presently provided for state employees, so as to continue
to attract qualified individuals to local government service.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment
in the service of the Village of Cazenovia, whether or not compensated, or
a volunteer expressly authorized to participate in a municipally-sponsored
volunteer program, but shall not include an independent contractor. The term
"employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or judicially appointed
personal representative.
A.
Upon compliance by the employee with the provisions of § 11-5 of this chapter, the Village may provide for the defense of the employee in any civil action or proceeding in any state or federal court arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred or is alleged in the complaint to have occurred while the employee was acting within the scope of his public employment or duties, or which is brought to enforce a provision of §§ 1981 or 1983 of Title 42 of the United States Code. This duty to provide for a defense shall not arise where such civil action or proceeding is brought by or on behalf of the Village of Cazenovia.
B.
Subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection A of this section, the employee may be entitled to be represented by the Village Attorney; provided, however, that the employee may be entitled to representation by private counsel of his choice in any civil judicial proceeding whenever the Village Attorney determines, based upon his investigation and review of the facts and circumstances of the case, that representation by the Village Attorney would be inappropriate, or whenever a court of competent jurisdiction, upon appropriate motion or by a special proceeding, determines that a conflict of interest exists and that the employee is entitled to be represented by private counsel of his choice. The Village Attorney shall notify the employee, in writing, of such determination that the employee is entitled to be represented by private counsel of his choice. The Village Attorney may require, as a condition to payment of the fees and expenses of such representation, that appropriate groups of such employees be represented by the same counsel. If the employee or group of employees is entitled to representation by private counsel under the provisions of this section, the Village Attorney shall so certify to the Village Board. Reasonable attorneys' fees and litigation expenses may be paid by the Village to such private counsel from time to time during the pendency of the civil action or proceeding subject to certification that the employee is entitled to representation under the terms and conditions of this section by the head of the department, commission, division, office or agency in which such employee is employed and upon the audit and warrant of the Village Treasurer. Any dispute with respect to representation of multiple employees by a single counsel for the amount of litigation expenses or the reasonableness of attorneys' fees shall be resolved by the court upon motion or by way of a special proceeding.
C.
Where the employee delivers process and a request for a defense to the Village Attorney as required by § 11-5 of this chapter, the attorney shall take the necessary steps, including the retention of private counsel under the terms and conditions provided in Subsection B of this section on behalf of the employee to avoid entry of a default judgment pending resolution of any question pertaining to the obligation to provide for a defense.
A.
The Village may indemnify and save harmless its employees
in the amount of any judgment obtained against such employees in any state
or federal court, or in the amount of any settlement of a claim, provided
that the act or omission from which such judgment or settlement arose occurred
while the employee was acting within the scope of his public employment or
duties; the duty to indemnify and save harmless prescribed by this subdivision
shall not arise where the injury or damage resulted from intentional wrongdoing
or recklessness on the part of the employee.
B.
An employee represented by private counsel shall cause
to be submitted to the Board of Trustees any proposed settlement which may
be subject to indemnification by the Village, and, if not inconsistent with
the provisions of this section, the Mayor shall certify such settlement, and
submit such settlement and certification to the Village Attorney. The attorney
shall review such proposed settlement as to form and amount, and shall give
his approval if in his judgment the settlement is in the best interests of
the Village. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or require
the Village to indemnify or save harmless an employee with respect to a settlement
not so reviewed and approved by the Village Attorney.
C.
Upon entry of final judgment against the employee or
upon the settlement of the claim, the employee shall cause to be served a
copy of such judgment or settlement, personally or by certified or registered
mail within 30 days of the date of entry or settlement, upon the Mayor; and,
if not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, and if the Village
so elects, such judgment or settlement shall be certified for payment by such
Mayor. If the attorney concurs in such certification, the judgment or settlement
shall be paid upon the audit and warrant of the Village Treasurer.
[Amended 4-3-2000 by L.L. No. 1-2000]
Any requests for the defense or the indemnification of this chapter
shall in the first instance, be conditioned upon: delivery to the Village
Attorney or his assistant, at his office, by the employee of the original
or a copy of any summons, complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading within
10 days after he is served with such document; and the full cooperation of
the employee in the defense of such action or proceeding and in defense of
any action or proceeding against the Village based upon the same act or omission,
and in the prosecution of any appeal. Such delivery shall be deemed a request
by the employee that the Village provide for his defense pursuant to this
chapter.
The benefits of this section shall inure only to employees as defined
herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other party, nor
shall any provision of this section be construed to affect, alter or repeal
any provision of the Workers' Compensation Law.
The provisions of this section shall not be construed to impair, alter,
limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer under any policy
of insurance.
The provisions of this section shall apply to all actions and proceedings
pending upon the effective date thereof or thereafter instituted.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the provisions
of this chapter shall not be construed in any way to impair, alter, limit,
modify, abrogate or restrict any immunity available to or conferred upon any
unit, entity, officer or employee of the Village, or any right to defense
and/or indemnification provided for any governmental officer or employee by,
in accordance with, or by reason of, any other provision of state or federal
statutory or common law.
[Adopted 3-5-2001]
A.
The Village of Cazenovia (municipality) has numerous
individuals who hold positions, whether or not compensated, by election, appointment
by the governing body or employment pursuant to which they serve the municipality
(the individuals).
B.
The performance of the duties of these individuals exposes
them to liability and costs and expenses from lawsuits.
C.
It is the intent of the municipality that these individuals
be provided with a defense and be indemnified against liabilities and expenses
which arise from the performance of their duties.
The municipality will provide a defense and indemnify the individuals
referred to above for liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable
legal fees, arising out of the performance of their duties to the fullest
extent provided by law, including but not limited to the provisions of Public
Officers Law § 18.
The municipality shall not be responsible for acts of willful misconduct
or gross negligence as determined by the then governing entity of the municipality.
The municipality shall not be responsible for legal proceedings initiated
by any such individual without the consent of the governing entity of the
municipality.
The selection of professionals to participate in the defense of such
individuals must be approved in advance by the governing entity of the municipality.
