California City Municipal Code Art. 2 Unbudgeted

Claims for money or damages against the City, its officers or employees, including claims not otherwise governed by the Tort Claims Act, shall be presented as set forth in this article.

Claims shall be filed within the time limits and in the manner prescribed by Chapter 1 of Division 3.6 commencing with Section 900 of the Government Code.

(a) A claim by a vendor shall be presented by the City Clerk to the department head who authorized the claim for written approval. The claim shall then be presented to the City Clerk for certification as to the accuracy of the claim and the availability of funds for payment. The Council shall audit such claims before authorizing payment.

(b) A claim not filed by a vendor under contract with the City shall be presented by the City Clerk to the City Manager who shall consult with the City Attorney concerning the disposition of the claim. The City Attorney shall prepare a written report on claims for more than $5,000.00. Claims shall be presented to the City Council for action within forty-five (45) days of filing.

(c) The City Manager may compromise claims for not more than $5,000.00. The City Manager shall provide the City Council with a quarterly report on compromised claims under this subsection.

(Ord. No. 07-650, 7-3-2007)

(a) The Council shall not consider a claim unless the claim is itemized, giving the names, dates, and particular services rendered, the character or the process, the distance traveled, the character of the work done, the number of days engaged, the materials and supplies furnished, when, to whom, and in what quantity furnished, the price therefor, and any other pertinent details, as the case may be.

(b) If a claim is determined to be a proper charge against the City, the claim shall be allowed by a resolution or minute order of the Council setting forth as to each claim, the name of the claimant, a brief statement of the claim, and the amount allowed.

(c) If a claim is approved by the Council, the City Clerk shall endorse upon each of the duplicate copies the words "Allowed by the City Council of the City of California City." The resolution or minute order approving the claim, its amount, and the fund it is drawn against shall be attached, and the City Clerk shall attest to the same.

(d) If the Council finds a claim is not a proper charge , the claim shall be rejected by resolution or minute action. The fact of rejection shall be plainly endorsed upon the claim by the City Clerk.

(a) No checks shall be issued by any officer or employee of the City except in accordance with this Section.

(b) The City Treasurer may draw checks for: payroll. utility fees and charges, petty cash replenishment, SDI improvement reconveyance fees, aircraft fuel delivered to the municipal airport on a COD basis, and emergencies (herein collectively "pre-issue authority"), with or without council approval as necessary to pay for such item in a timely manner if the Finance Director has certified the checks are for valid indebtedness and money is available in the City Treasury to pay the amount represented by these checks. The Mayor or other person designated by the council by resolution shall sign checks presented by the Treasurer.

(c) The City Treasurer shall draw checks for matters other than those covered by pre-issue authority only after the council has approved the expenditure. The council shall approve such expenditures only if the Finance Director has certified the indebtedness is valid and subsisting, and money is available to pay the amounts represented by the checks. The Mayor or other person designated by the council by resolution shall sign such checks after approval by the council.

(d) The City Treasurer shall disburse properly approved checks to the creditor after approval and signature as set forth in this Section.

(Ord. No. 07-650, 7-3-2007)