RES 85540 - Laserfiche WebLink

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANTON ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION NO. 85-540 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FAIR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1986 WHEREAS, the present joint and several liability law, also known as the "Deep Pocket Doctrine", has unfairly cost the cities of California millions of dollars in court judgments, settlements, legal costs, skyrocketing insurance premiums and difficulty in obtaining adequate liability insurance coverage; and WHEREAS, this same doctrine has also cost other governmental bodies, business firms and professionals many millions of dollars; and WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and consumers of California; and WHEREAS, many cities, other governmental bodies, business firms and professionals are selected as defendants in lawsuits merely because of their perceived assets or insurance and often are found only fractionally at fault but must pay most or all of the judgment because the defendants most at fault cannot pay; and WHEREAS, the cost of this is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and consumers of California; and WHEREAS, the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" is an initiative measure that would give the voters of California an opportunity to reform the inequities and injustices of the "Deep Pocket Doctrine" by holding liability lawsuit defendants financially liable in closer proportion to their degree of fault; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLEASANTON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Pleasanton endorses the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" and urges its support and passage to relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its taxpayers. Section 2: This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.