HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 85-124RESOLUTION N0. 85-124
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF �HE Cf�Y UF
PALM DESERT. CALIFORNIA, ENDURSING THE
"FAIR RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1985"
WHEREAS. the present joint and several liabilitv 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, u 1 t i mate 1 y th i s cost i s unfa i r 1 y borne by the tax-
payers 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
on 1 y f ract i ona 1 1 y at fau 1 t but must pay most or a 1 1 of the judgment
because the defendants most at fault cannot pay; and
WHEREAS, the cost of this is unfairlv borne by the taxpayer,
and consumers of California; and
WHEREAS, the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" is an initiative
measure that wou I d g i ve the voters of Cal i forn i a an opF��rtun i ty to
reform the inequities and iniustices of the "Deer� Nocket Uoctrine" bv
holding liability lawsuit defendants financialiv liable in closer
proportion to their degree of fault;
NOW. THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of Paim Desert. California, does hereby endorse the "Fair Respon-
sibility Act of 1986" and urge its support and passage to relieve the
financial strain imposed on local qovernment and its taxpavers.
PASSED. APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Cnuncil of the c::ity
of Palm Desert. California, at its meeting held on thi: 14th dav �_�f
November, 1985, by the following vote. to wit:
AYES: BENSON, JACKSON, SNYDER. WILSON AND KELLY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
/� %�� `�
� ��
RICHARD S. KEL Y. MAYOR
ATTEST: /.--
� �
'�I ,/i ' , , i/ �U� ,
/� �GC -r �. `
SHEILA R. LIGAN, Cf Y CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT,' ALIFORNIA
:mf