Resolution - #98-09-240 - 09/22/1998

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Councilmember Haas Steffen introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION #98-09-240 RESOLUTION APPROVING SETTLEMENT AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT WITH REGARD TO THE MINNESOTA POLICE RECRUITMENT SYSTEM LAWSUIT WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey (hereinafter referred to as the "City") is a defendant in the cases of Starks v. Minneapolis Police Recruitment System, el al.; Hennepin County District Court File No EM93-219, and Fields v. Minnesota Police Recruitment System, el al.; District Court File No. EM 93-218; and WHEREAS, the Court has concluded in said actions that the defendants violated Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 363, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, in the administration of the Minnesota Police Recruitment System (MPRS) testing process for entry level police officers employment screening and that defendants are obligated to pay certain damages and penalties; and WHEREAS, the City has previously approved a formula for the allocation of costs and damages among the defendants; and WHEREAS, the order of the Court also requires ongoing reporting to the Court of information about all written tests used by the City for police officer selection until January 1, 2004; and WHEREAS, the Council has been presented with a proposal for settlement of these cases under which the defendant cities would collectively pay the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) in addition to damages, costs, and fees previously awarded by the Court if counsel for plaintiffs and defendant are successful in securing a complete dismissal of the cases; and WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it is in the public interest to settle the cases to avoid the administrative burden, commitment of staff resources, attorneys' fees and costs associated with ongoing reporting to the Court; and WHEREAS, the MPRS has proposed that payment of the settlement be allocated among the defendant cities in accordance with Attachment One to this Resolution, which allocation is the same as that used for costs and damages previously awarded by the Court, and which allocation the Council finds to be fair and reasonable. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RAMSEY, ANOKA COUNTY, STATE OF MINNESOTA, as follows: