CA.2 - Settle Lawsuits for $140,000

WHEREAS, on October 30, 2024, Charles Steffani and Aracely Regla Bravo (“Steffani” and “Bravo,” respectively), were motorists who were struck by the vehicle being driven by Lazaro de Jesus Mojena of the City of Miami Public Works Department at or near the intersection of Northwest 17 Avenue and Northwest 18 Street, Miami, Florida which resulted in alleged personal injuries to Steffani and Bravo; and

WHEREAS, Steffani and Bravo and the City of Miami (“City”) are engaged in litigation in the Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, consolidated Case No.: 2023-14291 CA 01 concerning a claim of negligence; and

WHEREAS, Steffani and Bravo have made claims against the City for their personal injuries; and

WHEREAS, the City Attorney's Office has investigated these claims and the lawsuit pursuant to Sections 18-221 through 18-232 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, and recommends that said claims and lawsuit be settled for the total aggregate sum of One Hundred Forty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($140,000.00), including the claims for attorneys’ fees, with One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) to be paid to Steffani and Forty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000.00) to be paid to Bravo;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:

Section 1.  The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.

Section 2.  The Director of Finance is authorized to pay Steffani, without admission of liability, the total sum of One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) and Bravo, without admission of liability, the total sum of Forty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000.00), in full and complete settlement of any and all claims and demands, including all claims for attorneys’ fees, against the City and its officers, agents, and employees in the case styled Charles Steffani vs. City of Miami, pending in the Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, consolidated Case No.: 2025-14291 CA 01, upon the execution of a general release of all claims and demands brought for negligence pending in state court and a dismissal of the City and its officers, agents, and employees with prejudice, with funds allocated from Account No. 50001.301001.545011.0000.00000.

Section 3.  This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.