Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT
OF THE CLAIM OF PAULETTE PATTERSON V.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES, VICTOR AQUINI AND
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2023, Paulette Patterson filed a Notice of Claim against Uber Technologies, Victor Aquini, and the City of Mount Vernon, alleging that, on November 9, 2022, she was a passenger in an Uber vehicle that was involved in a collision with a City of Mount Vernon Department of Public Works sanitation truck, causing her to strike her head against the vehicle’s partition and her left knee to strike the floor when the vehicle abruptly jerked; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Claim sought damages in the amount of Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000.00); and
WHEREAS, on August 22, 2023, the City was served with a Summons and Complaint commenced by Paulette Patterson arising out of the aforesaid incident and claim; and
WHEREAS, following discussions among the parties and their respective counsel, the parties have agreed to resolve the matter through a global settlement in the total amount of One Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Dollars ($145,000.00), pursuant to which a co-defendant will contribute One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00), and the City of Mount Vernon will contribute Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), in exchange for the withdrawal and release of all claims against the City and the other defendants; and
WHEREAS, the proposed settlement will fully and finally resolve the claims asserted against the City arising from the aforesaid incident, without the need for further litigation and the attendant costs and expenses; and
WHEREAS, by letter dated November 4, 2026, the Corporation Counsel recommended that the Board of Estimate and Contract approve the settlement of the claim against the City in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00); and
WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel has determined that the proposed settlement is in the best interests of the City and is intended to avoid the risks, costs, and expenses associated with continued litigation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Estimate and Contract of the City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes and approves the settlement of the claim asserted by Paulette Patterson against the City of Mount Vernon in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), subject to the execution and delivery of all necessary settlement agreements, releases, and other required documentation; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the City Comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to issue payment in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) to Paulette Patterson, or as otherwise directed pursuant to the executed settlement documentation, from Budget Code A1930.494 - Judgments and Settlements, in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, in full and final settlement of the City’s liability arising from the aforesaid claim; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to effectuate the settlement authorized herein; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.