The following definitions are adopted for the purpose of defining the terms used in this division of the city code:
Claims.
All claims made and lawsuits filed against the city and its employees, officers and appointees which would be paid from city funds if paid, settled or compromised. It does not include claims or lawsuits that would be paid by an insurance company for the city, even if the city was required to pay a deductible.
(Ordinance 88-47, sec. 1, adopted 5/10/88; 1957 Code, sec. 2-100)
The city council determines that it would be in the best interest of the city that claims be settled, compromised and paid pursuant to the following regulations:
(1) 
After investigation, any claim of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) or less that is recommended for approval by the city attorney, and approved by the city manager or his duly appointed representative, may be settled without further approval.
(2) 
After investigation, any claim that is in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and that is approved by a committee consisting of one (1) or more councilmembers appointed by the city council, the city manager or one (1) or more employees appointed by the city manager and the city attorney, may be settled subject to city council ratification. The committee shall establish its own rules.
(3) 
All claims in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) shall be placed on the consent agenda of the city council for ratification.
(Ordinance 88-47, sec. 1, adopted 5/10/88; Ordinance 2005-17, sec. 1, adopted 6/28/05; 1957 Code, sec. 2-101; Ordinance 2008-27 adopted 7/8/08)
The city is authorized to make a claim for compensation or file suit to collect a city claim in the following manner:
(1) 
The city attorney is authorized to make a claim or pursue litigation to collect any claim of the city.
(2) 
The committee, consisting of one (1) or more councilmembers appointed by the city council, the city manager or one (1) or more employees appointed by the city manager and the city attorney, is authorized to retain a private attorney to pursue litigation to collect a city claim on a contingent-fee basis plus expenses.
(Ordinance 89-80, sec. 1, adopted 10/24/89; 1957 Code, sec. 2-102)
(a) 
When the city or a city employee responds to an emergency call or reacts to an emergency situation, regardless of whether any declaration of emergency has been declared or proclaimed by a unit of government or official, neither the city nor any of its employees shall be liable for any failure to use ordinary care in such emergency. Only if the action is taken with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others shall the city or any city employee be found to violate the requisite standard of care.
(b) 
This section shall prevail over every other provision of this code or ordinance of the city, and, to the extent to which the city has the authority to so authorize, over any other law establishing a standard of care in conflict with this section.
(Ordinance 99-42, sec. 1, adopted 8/24/99; 1957 Code, sec. 2-103)