Claim Response Liddle, GregBARRY A. LiNDAHL, ES .
CORPORATION COUNSEL DUBUQUE
MEMO
TO:
Mayor Terrance M. Duggan and
Members of the City Council
DATE: July 3, 2003
RE:
Claim Against the City By Gregg Liddle
Claimant
Date of Claim
Date of Loss
Nature of Claim
Gregg Liddle 06/09/03 03/08/03
Vehicle Damage
This is a claim in which claimant alleges that as he was pulling into a parking stall in the
City Hall parking lot near 12th Street, he struck the pole holding a "reserved" sign,
damaging his vehicle. Claimant states that the pole is too short and could not be seen
as he pulled forward.
According to the report of Tim Horsfield, Parking Systems Supervisor, Mr. Horsfield went
to the parking lot to view the area where this incident occurred. The poles referenced in
Mr. Liddle's claim measure 36" in height, and according to Mr. Horsfield, are easily visible
when entedng the parking spaces. The distance between rows including the parking area
and ddve lane is approximately 54', which he reports is more than ample area for entering
any of the parking lanes.
It is therefore the recommendation of Tim Horsfield to deny this claim. The Legal
Department concurs with this recommendation.
BAL:tls
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
Tim Horsfleld, Parking Systems Supervisor
Gregg Liddle
SUITE 330, HARBOR VIEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 583-4113 / FAX (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL BALESQ~MWCI.NET
MEMORANDUM
July 1, 2003
To:
From:
Subject:
Barry A. ~_indahl, Esq.
CorporatiOn Counsel
Tim Horsfleid ,~
Parking System Supervis r(]Lg.,/
Gregg Liddle Damage Claim
This memo is in response to your memo dated June 17, 2003 regarding the Gregg
Liddle damage claim. The claim filed indicated that Mr. Liddle had struck a shortened
pole in one of the City's parking lots. However, the initial information provided was
vague. Thus, I contacted Mr. Liddle today and he provided the following information.
Initially, I spoke with Mr. Liddle's wife at their residence, she then directed me to call
Gregg at work, which I did.
In the initial report, the location of the incident was given as simply a city parking lot with
the damage occurring on March 8, 2003 at 8:30 A.M. It should be noted that the initial
this claim was not filed until June 6, 2003. The claim indicated that the pole that he
struck was too short and could not be seen as he pulled forward.
VVhen I attempted to contact Mr. Liddle today, I reached his wife. She indicated that she
was with Gregg when this happened and could provide the information needed. Mrs.
Liddle indicated that this happened in the parking lot next to City Hall. She was
however unable to provide specific information and asked that I contact Gregg at his
place of employment.
I then contacted Gregg and he indicated that this all happened in the same lot that his
friend Randy's vehicle damage occun'ed. VVhen I asked him to describe the lot, he told
me that this lot was right next to City Hall and that this happened in the area closer to
Breezy's than City Hall. Gregg indicated they were at Farmer's Market when this
occurred.
This afternoon, I went to the area and took some photos which I have attached copies
for your review. I measured the height of the poles that do not have parking meters on
them, but the ones with the "reserved" sign on top. They all measure 36 inches in
height.
July 1, 2003
Gregg Liddle
Page II
The distance between rows including the parking area and drive lane is approximately
54'. This is more than ample for entedng and exiting any of the parking lanes.. Mr.
Liddle referenced his friend's claim, which was a claim filed by Randy Schmerbach. Mr.
Schmerbach's damage occurred in a completely different parking lot and the damage
was to the rear of his vehicle. There is a substantial difference considering whether one
backs into something or ddves forward into an object.
In the claim filed, Gregg indicates the damage was to the front of his vehicle. In the
phone conversation he made it a point to indicate that his fog lights were broken out,
with the total estimate of damage to be a first estimate of $466.51 and a revised
estimate of $680.63.
Having the chance to go to the parking lot, view the area, take measurements and
having further conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Liddle it would be my recommendation
that this claim be denied. These signs are at such a height to be easily visible when
entedng the parking spaces.
If you have any further questions or need further information, please contact me at your
convenience.