Bell Municipal Code Ch. 2.88 Claims and Demands Against the City

The city desires to adopt procedures relative to the fiscal affairs of the city and to provide for the payment of its debts as they come due.

(Prior code § 2900; Ord. 1127, 1997)

The provisions of this chapter are subject to the provisions of Chapter 1 of Division 3.6 of the California Government Code of the State, commencing with Section 900 et seq.

(Prior code § 2901; Ord. 1127, 1997)

Pursuant to the authority contained in Section 935 of the California Government Code, the following claims procedures are established for those claims against the city for money or damages not now governed by state or other local laws:

A. Employee Claims. Notwithstanding the exceptions contained in Section 905 of the Government Code of the State, all claims by public officers or employees for fees, salaries, wages, overtime pay, holiday pay, compensating time off, vacation pay, sick leave pay, and any other expenses or allowances claimed due from the city, when a procedure for processing such claims is not otherwise provided by state or local laws, shall be presented within the time limitations and in the manner prescribed by Sections 910 through 915.2 of the California Government Code. Such claims shall further be subject to the provisions of Section 945.4 of the California Government Code relating to the prohibition of suits in the absence of the presentation of claims and action thereon by the city council.

B. Contract and Other Claims. In addition to the requirements of subsection A of this section, and notwithstanding the exemptions set forth in Section 905 of the California Government Code, all claims against the city for damages or money, including refunds of any kind, when a procedure for processing such claims is not otherwise provided by state or local laws, shall be presented within the time limitations and in the manner prescribed by Sections 910 through 915.2 of the California Government Code. Such claims shall further be subject to the provisions of Section 945.4 of the California Government Code relating to the prohibition of suits in the absence of the presentation of claims and action thereon by the city council.

(Prior code § 2902; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1161 § 1, 2005)

All claims or demands against the city shall be filed with the city clerk and shall be presented by the city clerk to the city council at the next regular meeting thereof for approval or rejection, whether in whole or in part, if such presentation is required by law.

(Prior code § 2903; Ord. 1127, 1997)

All claims filed with the city clerk, which claims are covered by insurance, shall be forwarded by the city clerk after action thereon by the city council to the appropriate insurance carrier for handling and further processing.

(Prior code § 2904; Ord. 1127, 1997)

A. All demands, invoices or claims for purchases, supplies or services included within budgetary appropriations shall be presented in writing to the chief administrative officer. All such demands, invoices or claims shall be fully itemized and verified as just and correct by the claimant or his or her authorized agent.

B. Each demand shall bear the number of the purchase order issued for the materials or services rendered.

C. Such demands, invoices or claims shall be audited by the director of finance, who shall prepare a register of audited demands. The affidavit of the director of finance shall be attached to such register, certifying to the accuracy of the register.

D. Such demands, invoices or claims shall be approved by the chief administrative officer and finance committee consisting of two designated members of the city council.

E. All claims approved shall be paid by checks drawn upon the city treasury signed by the person(s) designated by resolution of the city council.

(Prior code § 2905; Ord. 1127, 1997)