THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM CO U N C

MEMORANDUM OCT 4 1983

TO: B. Kirk, October 4, 1983
City Administrator

FROM: F.E. Peters., P. Eng.;
City Engineer

SUBJECT: Claim for Damages to Automobile ~ Mrs. Bouchard

RECOMMENDATION:

That the City pay the cost of repair to Mrs,
Bouchard's car in the amount of approximately $300.00.

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BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS:

Mrs. Bouchard received damage to her automobile white
travelling on Pitt River Road on October 3rd, 1983, She was
aware of the construction going on and was travelling in a
suitable. manner when she heard a sharp noise in the back of her
car. Upon arriving home she discovered that the gas tank was
leaking. She had the car towed to a service station and it was
discovered that the connection from the fuel gauge sensor was
severed. it appears as if a piece of broken asphalt had been
thrown back by the front wheels and clipped the side of the gas
tank bending the plate where the fuel gauge sensor enters the

-. tank and damaging the sensor.

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; Upon examining Pitt River Road it was discovered that
there are several occasions where pieces of broken asphalt have
“popped out of holes in the pavement as a result of the passage
“of vehicles. It is likely that one of these chunks was
“responsible for the damage.

Although it may be argued that this was a freak
accident and the City would not be legally responsible, mrs.
Bouchard appears to be a hardship case as she is a singte
parent with three children sand is extremely concerned about how

she is. going. to pay for the repairs to her car.

ae Rather than allowing this to drag on and get into a
battle with the insurance company, | though Council might wish
to consider paying the claim immediately in,the interests of
.good: public relations.

WA >
F - Peters.,-P. Eng.,

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City Engineer

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