[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Atlantic
Beach 5-12-1980 by L.L. No. 3-1980. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide legal and financial
protection for those individuals serving the Village of Atlantic Beach, from
losses which may be brought against them 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.
B.
By enactment of this chapter, the Board of Trustees does
not intend to limit or otherwise abrogate any existing right or responsibility
of 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 presently provided for state employees, so as 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 Atlantic Beach, 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 § 10-5 of this chapter, the village shall 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 Atlantic Beach.
B.
Subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection A, the employee shall be entitled to be represented by the Village Attorney; provided, however, that the employee shall 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 shall be paid by the village to such private counsel from time to time during the pendency of the civil action or proceedings 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 or 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 § 10-5 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 chapter 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 shall 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 subsection
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 the indemnification by the village, and if not inconsistent
with the provisions of this chapter, 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 interest
of the village. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize 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 a 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 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.
The duty to defend or indemnify and save harmless provided by this chapter
shall 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 state 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.
A.
The benefits of this chapter shall inure only to employees
as defined herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other
party nor shall any provisions of this chapter be constructed to affect, alter
or repeal any provision of the workers' compensation law.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all actions
and proceedings pending upon the effective date thereof or thereafter instituted.
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed
to impair, alter, limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer
under any policy of insurance.
B.
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 o the village, or any right to
defense and/or indemnification provided for an governmental officer or employee
by, in accordance with, or by reason of, an other provision of state or federal
statutory or common law.
