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Agenda Section: VI I I-1 <br /> CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON <br /> Report Number: 96-052 <br /> 411 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION <br /> Report Date: 20 February 1996 <br /> ITEM DESCRIPTION: RESOLUTION APPROVING ALLOCATION OF DAMAGES AND <br /> AUTHORIZING PAYMENT THEREOF FOR STARKS AND FIELDS <br /> LAWSUITS AGAINST THE MINNESOTA POLICE RECRUITMENT <br /> SYSTEM AND DEFENDANT CITIES <br /> DEPT. HEAD'S APPROVAL: <br /> MANAGER'S REVIEW/RECOMMENDATION: <br /> No comments to supplement this report Comments attached <br /> EXPLANATION: <br /> The judge in these suits found that the Minnesota Police Recruitment System(MPRS) and the defendant cities <br /> violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act and awarded damages of$156,688 for lost wages and emotional <br /> distress, and $8,500 to each plaintiff as punitive damages. Additionally the defendants must pay plaintiffs' costs, <br /> disbursements, and attorneys' fees; estimated to be an additional$426,300. <br /> MPRS proposes to pay these penalties by the formula of 20% of costs divided equally among the 36 city <br /> 111Ffendants and 80%pro rata based on population of the cities. <br /> New Brighton's share for damages only under this formula is estimated to be $16,725. These costs were not <br /> included in the 1996 budget. Staff recommends that Council direct staff to make the appropriate budget <br /> amendments using General Fund reserves to meet these costs. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Motion to PASS A RESOLUTION APPROVING ALLOCATION OF DAMAGES AND <br /> AUTHORIZING PAYMENT THEREOF AS A RESULT OF THE COURT ORDER IN <br /> STARKS AND FIELDS V. MPRS. ET AL;AND DIRECTING STAFF TO MAKE THE <br /> APPROPRIATE BUDGET AMENDMENT TO USE GENERAL FUND RESERVES TO <br /> PAY THESE COSTS. <br /> John C. Kelley <br /> Chief of Police <br /> Bob cobson <br /> Lieutenant <br />