Claim Response Millard, DarleneBARRY A. LINDAHL, ES~,'
CORPORATION COUNSEL~ CITY OF DUBUQUE
MEMO
TO:
Mayor Terrance M. Duggan and
Members of the City Council
DATE: May 15, 2002
RE:
Claim Against the City By Darlene Millard
Claimant
Date of Claim
Date of Loss
Nature of Claim
Darlene Millard 04/26/02 04/15/02
Vehicle Damage
This is a claim in which the claimant states that while she was driving southbound on
Central Avenue, she attempted to turn east onto 20th Street, at which time a portable stop
sign was blown by the wind and struqk the left rear door of her vehicle. The portable stop
sign was being used during the power outage which occurred on April 15, 2002.
According to the report of John Klostermann, Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor,
portable stop signs were set up at key intersections from E. 9th Street north to E. 22nd
Street and from Central Avenue east to Windsor Avenue, during this power outage.
Due to the number of signs placed in a very short period, not all signs received proper
sandbagging required for this type of installation. As a result, additional weight was not
added to the sign located at 20 and Central to prevent wind from blowing it over.
It is therefore Mr. Klostermann's recommendation to approve this claim in the amount of
$485.04. The Legal Department concurs with his recommendation.
BAL/tls
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
John Klostermann, Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor
Darlene Millard
SUITE 330, HARBOR ViEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, Ia 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 583-4113 / FAX (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL BALESQ~MVVCI,NET
Operations and Maintenance Department
925 Kerper Boulevard
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-2338
(563) 5894250 off/ce
(563) 5894252 fax
(563) 5894193 TDD
ops&maint~gcityo fdubuque.org
May 8,2002
Barry Lindahl
Corporation Counsel
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52004-4864
Dear Barry:
This letter will respond to the claim filed by Ms. Darlene Millard.
Mrs. Millard claims to have damaged her vehicle while turning from Central Avenue onto
E. 20th Street. While making that turn, wind blew over a portable stop sign placed in
the intersection due to a power outage earlier in the day.
On Apd115, due a power outage that affected traffic signals in the downtown area,
portable stop sign were set up at key intersections from E 9th street north to E22nd and
from Central Avenue east to Windsor Avenue. Due to the number of signs placed in a
very short pedod, not all signs received the proper sandbagging required for this type of
installation. As power was restored, signs were removed and signals put back into
service. At 20th and Central, it was necessary to leave up the stop signs until additional
work could be completed. Due to an over site on our part, additional weight was not
added to this sign to prevent wind from blowing the sign over.
It is my opinion that the damage claimed by Ms. Millard is consistent with this type of
incidenL It is therefore my recommendation to pay the claim as filed.
If you need any additional information concerning this claim, please contact me.
Sincerely,
,J/oh n Klostermann
Street/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor