HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-87-21 - Resolution - 02/12/1987RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, cities throughout the State have experienced dramatic
changes in the last several years concerning the availabilitv,
cost, and adequacy of public liability insurance; and
WHEREAS, such changes have had a profound detrimental impact
on the financial condition of cities and have increased the
burden on their taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, annual increases in the cost of premiums for such
insurance by several hundred percent have become commonplace;
and
WHEREAS, such insurance has, in many instances, become unavail-
able to Texas cities; and
%~HEREAS, in this year, a Te:~as Court of Appeals upheld an
award of punitive damages against a municipality, such case
being the first reported casa cZ a ~'exas Appellate Court up-
holding an award of punitive damages against a municinality;
and
WHEREAS, in this year, the Texas Supreme Court held, for the
first time, that attorneys' fees may be awarded against a
ipality under the Texas Attorneys Fees Statute; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas
finds that in order to ameliorate the insurance crisis and the
financial burden resulting therefrom, and in order to reduce
the frequency of excessive court awards, which awards both
cause and exacerbate such crisis, it is necessary that the
Legislature adopt legislation for the reform of tort law, as
it relates to the kind and amount of damages that may be
awarded against municipalities in Texas;
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Citv Council of the City
of College Station, Texas:
That the City Council urges the Members of the
Legislature to adopt legislation for the reform
of tort law governing the character and amount
of damages that may be awarded against munici-
palities in Texas.
ATTEST:
.ian J
PASSED AND APPROVED at College Station, Texas this 12th day
of February , 1987.
APPROVED:
City Secretary ~ayor
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