(a) The City Attorney shall have the authority to deny any claim. If, in the judgment of the City Attorney, the City may be legally liable for a claim, the City Attorney, with the concurrence of the City Manager, shall have the authority to negotiate a settlement of the claim in an amount not to exceed $35,000.

(b) No payment for a claim in an amount greater than $35,000 shall be made unless the payment is recommended by the City Attorney and subsequently approved by the Governing Body.

(c) Notwithstanding the emotional merits of a claim, the City shall not, as a general rule, settle any claim unless there is substantial evidence, in the opinion of the City Attorney, that the City may be legally liable. (Ord. 20183 § 1, 5-21-19.)