Claim Response - Chapman, JoeBARRY A. LINDAHL, E:.~S .~
CORPORATION COUNSEL,C~Y OF DUBUQUE
MEMO
To: Mayor Terrance M. Duggan a~d
Members of the City Council \1
DATE:
January 14, 2002
RE:
Claim Against the City by Joe Chapman
Claimant
Date of Claim
Date of Loss
Nature of Claim
Joe Chapman 12/21/01 12/11/01
Property Damage
The Claimant states that a City refuse collector threw his Rubbermaid trash container onto
the ground, cracking it.
According to the report of Paul Schultz, Solid Waste Management Supervisor, he spoke
with the crewmember who had collected the claimant's refuse that day. The employee
indicated that he did not recall anything specific about this collection setout. Staff then
investigated the alleged damage, spoke to the customer, and took a photo of the fresh
crack. The description of the cause of the damage appeared possible, but rare for newer
Rubbermaid containers. Mr. Schultz recommends that this claim be approved for
payment. The Legal Department concurs with this recommendation.
BALJtls
Cc:
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk
Paul Schultz, Solid Waste Management Supervisor
Joe Chapman
SUITE330, HARBOR VIEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 583-4113 / FAX (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL BALESQ~MWCI.NET
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
December 27, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Jessica Mullen, Legal Department
Patti F. Schultz, Solid Waste Management Supervis~
Claim of Joe Chapman
Claim is acceptable as filed.
I spoke with the crewmember collecting this customer who did not recall anything
specific about this collection setout. One of my staff investigated the alleged damage,
spoke to the customer, and took a photo of the fresh crack. The description of the cause
of the damage appears possible but is rare for newer Rubbermaid containers. The estimate
of the replacement cost for the damage is within a high range for refuse containers.