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RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
September 18, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
MEMBERS: Philip Morley, County Administrator/Risk Manager
Erin Lundgren, Clerk of the Board/Risk Coordinator (Chair)
Judi Morris, Treasurer
Jean Baldwin, Public Health Director
Vacant, Safety Officer
LEGAL COUNSEL: David Alvarez, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
RECORDER: Leslie Locke, Deputy Clerk of the Board
Chair Erin Lundgren called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the presence of Members Judi
Morris, Jean Baldwin and Philip Morley and Legal Counsel David Alvarez.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Morris moved to approve the minutes of May 8, 2012 as presented (No Meeting in
June, July, or August). Member Baldwin seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Committee met in Executive Session from 10:05 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. regarding potential
litigation. This exemption is outlined in the Open Public Meetings Act RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).
At the conclusion of the Executive Session the meeting returned to open session with the
following action taken.
Claim No.: C-02-12
Claimant: Griffin J. Skelley
Damages: $24,000
Allegation: Unlawful Arrest, Illegal Search & Seizure, Malicious Prosecution and Violation of
Due Process
The Committee reviewed the details of this claim and concluded that the evidence presented by
the claimant fails to indicate any wrongdoing by County personnel that would entitle the
claimant to money damages. Member Morris moved to deny claim #C-02-12 and Member
Baldwin seconded the motion. Member Morley asked the Clerk to draft a letter of denial. The
Chair called for a vote on the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Decision: Denied
Risk Management Committee Special Meeting Minutes - September 18, 2012 Page: 2
Claim No.: C-03-12
Claimant: Sarah Sanders
Damages: $5,000
Allegation: Breech of Contract and Destruction of Property
The Committee reviewed the details of this claim. An adjuster, assigned by the Washington
Counties Risk Pool investigated this claim as well as two arborists who determined the cedar
tree suffered minimal damage. Member Morley moved to send a settlement letter indicating that
Jefferson County is willing to resolve this claim for $2,400 and regrets the error which caused
damage to the cedar tree. Member Morris seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous
vote.
Decision: Settlement Offer Pending
OLD BUSINESS
Update re: Iron Mountain Quarry Lawsuit: Legal Counsel Alvarez informed the Members
that this lawsuit is still pending.
Update re: Seeley Lawsuit: Legal Counsel Alvarez reported that the County's outside legal
counsel will be filing a Summary Judgment on behalf of the County. If the Summary Judgment
is denied, the parties involved will be required to participate in mediation. A trial date is
scheduled for sometime in 2013.
Update re: Kevin Coker (Possible Claim for Damages): Member Morley gave a brief
summary of a possible claim for damages for alleged permit violations at the Community
Development Department.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion re: Washington Counties Risk Pool Deductibles Plan: Member Morley provided
the Committee with an analysis prepared by Vyrle Hill from the Washington Counties Risk Pool
regarding increasing the County's deductible to save money. The analysis shows that based on
the average number of claims over a four year period, if the County were to increase its
deductible to $25,000, the County would save approximately $30,000 per year. Currently, the
deductible is $10,000 and the County has committed to that amount until the Risk Pool policy
year that begins October 1, 2013. Over the next year, there needs to be emphasis on employee
training in order to reduce and manage risks. Such reduction and management of risks paired
with an increase in the County's deductible to $25,000 would presumably lead to significant
savings for the County.
Member Morley stated that starting this process early, will allow the County time to transfer
remaining fund balances into the Risk Management Reserve account to maintain a balance of
$210,000, the minimum amount recommended for any Risk Pool member county choosing to
have a deductible of $25,000.
Risk Management Committee Special Meeting Minutes - September 18, 2012 Page: 3
Member Morris moved to increase the deductible from $10,000 to $25,000, transfer remaining
fund balances to the Risk Management Reserve account and strengthen risk management
strategies. Chair Lundgren seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
Member Morley moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Member Morris seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted:
Leslie R. Locke, Recorder