Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
SETTLEMENT OF THE CLAIM OF
WINSOME DOUGLAS
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2018, a Notice of Claim was filed against the City of Mount Vernon (the “City”) by Winsome Douglas arising from an incident alleged to have occurred on May 1, 2018, when she was walking on the sidewalk adjacent to the premises located at 316 East 3rd Street, Mount Vernon, New York, and her foot allegedly caught on an uneven and cracked portion of the sidewalk and a three-inch steel bar protruding from the sidewalk, causing her to trip and fall to the ground and sustain injuries to her face, neck, right hand, right knee, wrists, shoulder, and arm, including an injury to her right knee that required surgery; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Claim sought damages for $175,000.00 against the City; and
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2020, the City was subsequently served with a Summons and Complaint in an action commenced by Winsome Douglas in connection with the aforesaid claim; and
WHEREAS, following discussions between the parties and their respective counsel, the parties agreed to resolve and settle the remaining claim for the sum of $20,000.00; and
WHEREAS, by letter dated September 29, 2026, the Corporation Counsel recommends that the Board of Estimate and Contract approve the settlement of the aforesaid claim for $20,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Estimate and Contract has considered the recommendation of the Corporation Counsel and finds that settlement of this matter in the amount recommended is in the best interests of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the settlement of the claim of Winsome Douglas v. Hutchinson et al. v. the City of Mount Vernon for $20,000.00 be and hereby is approved; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to issue a $20,000.00 payment in full settlement of the aforesaid claim, subject to receipt of all necessary settlement documentation, releases, and other documents required by the Corporation Counsel; and be it further
RESOLVED, that said payment shall be charged to Budget Code A1930.494 (Judgments & Settlements), 2026 Budget.