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Agenda 07/11/2023 Item #16K 1 (Authorize the County Attorney for file charges against John and Kaci Carroll for damages for the repair of property)16. K.1 07/ 11 /2023 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners against John Carroll and Kaci Renee Carroll in the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida, to recover damages for the repair of Collier County property totaling $3,345.72, plus costs of litigation. OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners to authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners, against John Carroll and Kaci Renee Carroll to recover damages in the amount of $3,345.72, plus costs of litigation. CONSIDERATIONS: On June 15, 2021, Kaci Renee Carroll was driving a vehicle owned by John Carroll westbound on Immokalee Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle and impacted landscaping owned and maintained by the County. As the owner of the vehicle, John Carroll is vicariously liable for the damage caused by Kaci Renee Carroll. The County incurred damages in the amount of $3,345.72 for the replacement of a live oak tree, sabal palm tree, muhly grass, and liriope plants. Despite repeated demands, both John Carroll and Kaci Renee Carroll have failed to respond to the County's attempts to obtain reimbursement for the damage. The County has no other recourse for recovery of the costs than to proceed with litigation against the driver and vehicle owner. FISCAL IMPACT: Filing fees, service and process fees total approximately $320.00. Funds are budgeted and available in the Risk Management Property & Casualty Fund (5016). GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the Office of the County Attorney, is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote for approval. - CAK RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners, against John Carroll and Kaci Renee Carroll, in the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida, to recover damages incurred by the County for the replacement of the damaged landscaping in the amount of $3,345.72, plus costs of litigation. PREPARED BY: Colleen A. Kerins, Assistant County Attorney Michael K. Quigley, Risk Management Division Director ATTACHMENT(S) 1. Complaint -Carroll (PDF) Packet Pg. 1349 16.K.1 07/ 11 /2023 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.K.1 Doc ID: 25962 Item Summary: Recommendation to authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners against John Carroll and Kaci Renee Carroll in the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida, to recover damages for the repair of Collier County property totaling $3,345.72, plus costs of litigation. Meeting Date: 07/11/2023 Prepared by: Title: Legal Assistant — County Attorney's Office Name: Rosa Villarreal 06/28/2023 9:37 AM Submitted by: Title: County Attorney — County Attorney's Office Name: Jeffrey A. Klatzkow 06/28/2023 9:37 AM Approved By: Review: Risk Management County Attorney's Office Office of Management and Budget County Attorney's Office Office of Management and Budget County Manager's Office Board of County Commissioners Michael Quigley Additional Reviewer Colleen Kerins Level 2 Attorney Review Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Christopher Johnson Additional Reviewer Geoffrey Willig Level 4 County Manager Review Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending Completed 06/28/2023 1:21 PM Completed 06/29/2023 9:20 AM Completed 06/29/2023 9:43 AM Completed 06/29/2023 9:49 AM Completed 07/03/2023 9:14 AM Completed 07/03/2023 11:57 AM 07/11 /2023 9:00 AM Packet Pg. 1350 16.K.1.a IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, Plaintiff, V. Case No. JOHN CARROLL AND KACI RENEE CARROLL, Defendants. COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES COMES NOW, the Plaintiff, COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (hereinafter "the County"), by and through undersigned counsel, hereby sets forth its Complaint against JOHN CARROLL AND KACI RENEE CARROLL for damages and negligence and states to the Court in support as follows: 1. This is an action for damages that exceeds $2,500.00 but does not exceed $8,000.00. 2. All events and occurrences set forth occurred and took place in Collier County, Florida. 3. Collier County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida. 4. At all times material, the Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, was sui juris and a resident of Lee County, Florida. 5. At all times material, the Defendant, John Carroll, was sui juris and a resident of Lee County, Florida. 0 L L �M♦ V c a E 0 0 c as E 0 a [ 23-R M G-00775/ 1800745/1] Packet Pg. 1351 16.K.1.a 6. This Court has jurisdiction over all parties and venue is proper in Collier County, Florida as the events transpired in Collier County and Collier County has home rule privilege. 7. At all times material, Collier County owned and maintained the median landscaping on Immokalee Road near Richards Road in Naples, Florida. 8. On or about June 15, 2021, John Carroll was the owner of the 2012 Hyundai that caused damage to Collier County property. 9. On or about June 15, 2021, Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, was operating the motor vehicle registered to John Carroll on Immokalee Road, Naples, Florida, and lost control of the vehicle and ultimately damage the median landscaping owned by Collier County. 10. At that time and place, Kaci Renee Carroll, as driver of the vehicle, negligently operated or maintained the motor vehicle so that it caused damage to the Plaintiff's property. COUNT I- NEGLIGENCE AGAINST KACI RENEE CARROLL 11. The Plaintiff, by reference, reiterates and adopts paragraphs 1 through 10 and further states 12. At the aforementioned place and time, Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, was operating a motor vehicle and negligently operated and/or maintained the motor vehicle by failing to operate the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner. 13. Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, owed a duty to the Plaintiff, to ensure the vehicle was operated in a careful and safe manner and to prevent the vehicle from causing damage to the Plaintiff's property. 14. Defendant breached this duty and negligently operated the vehicle. 15. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, the Plaintiff, Collier County, suffered property damage totaling $3,345.72. (The relevant invoices are attached hereto as Exhibit "A") 0 L L �M♦ V c a E 0 c) c as E M 0 0 a [ 23-R M G-00775/ 1800745/1] Packet Pg. 1352 16.K.1.a WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, demands judgment against the Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, for all aforementioned damages, pre judgment interest, and interest from the entry of judgment until paid, plus cost of litigation, and any further relief this Court deems just and proper. COUNT II — CLAIM AGAINST JOHN CARROLL PURSUANT TO THE DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTALITY DOCTRINE 16. The Plaintiff, by reference, reiterates and adopts paragraphs 1 through 10 and further states: 17. At the aforementioned time and place, Defendant, John Carroll, owned the vehicle that was being operated by Defendant, Kaci Renee Carroll, and the vehicle was operated with John Carroll's knowledge and express or implied consent. 18. Defendant, John Carroll, was the owner of the vehicle driven by Kaci Renee Carroll and had custody, possession and control of the vehicle, a dangerous instrumentality. 19. Defendant, John Carroll, as the owner of the vehicle, had a nondelegable duty to ensure it was operated safely. 20. Defendant, John Carroll, is strictly and vicariously responsible for the negligence of Kaci Renee Carroll under the doctrine of dangerous instrumentality. 21. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of Defendant, John Carroll, Collier County, suffered property damage totaling $3,345.72. 0 L WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, M demands judgment against the Defendant, John Carroll, for all aforementioned damages, pre- a a E judgment interest, and interest from the entry of judgment until paid, plus cost of litigation, and 0 any further relief this Court deems just and proper. c 0 a [ 23-R M G-00775/ 1800745/1] Packet Pg. 1353 16.K.1.a COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA By: COLLEEN A. KERINS, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 91752 Collier County Attorney's Office 3299 East Tamiami Trail, Suite 800 Naples, Florida 34112-5746 Telephone: (239) 252-8400 Facsimile: (239) 252-6300 Counsel for Plaintiff COLLIER COUNTY colleen.kerins(&colliercountyfl. gov rosa.villarrealgcolliercount�fl.gov marian.rhyne(&colliercountyfl. gov [ 23-R M G-00775/ 1800745/1] Packet Pg. 1354 16.K.1.a z 0 w U) z _0 H Q w W d LL U 00 m aG �% ❑ CV N ����-- z i W Q Co�C :E n LL o LLI - 2: iw3:!Jw Q z N Q W �¢UlzF- Nr W 00 N m H z N � CV [3 � ¢ } H z D 0 w W J J 0 U CO O (7 Ln 06 4 N ~ 59 69 E9 P E 7 ti M Ln O LO M N CV 6'1,69 p Q 0 0 O r J 0C)C) Utica 0 CD C o @ O E :: _ =aa W 'c o gW = a� 7 0 C a EXHIBIT A Packet Pg. 1355 Replacement Estimate - Traffic Acddent Report03363 lmmokalee Rd East median i54 at east end (west of Richards street) Fixed Term Service Multi -Contractor Award Agreement #18-7430 Section I f. 1.3 Additional 5ervies and Traffic Accident Cleanup Contact Person: Mary Santiago Date: 4/1812022 Department J Division: GROWTH MANAGEMENT f ROAD MAINTENANCE Office Number. 239-252-8924 Quote submission.email: nary.santia¢ogpcoIlie rcountvFl.Roy CONTRACTORO' Company Name: Superb Landscape Services Inc Company Address: 3980 Exchange Ave Naples, FL 34104 quote Valid For: Per contract # 18-7430 Contact: Robert Kindelon Contact Phone Number: 239-643-6205 Contact Email Address: rkindelan @cam mlandmaint.net aid Line I tern 9 Plant Materhl qty Unit 793 Live oak tree, 65 Gallon 1 Price Total $583.50 $583.50 $27 Sabol Palm 110.19 OA 1 $413.75 $413.75 785 Lirlopes, 1 Gallon 55 $12,73 $700.15 785 Muhlygross, 1 Gallon 5 $12,73 $63.65 887 Slte Clearing Damage 3 $265.23 $795.69 Grand Total Project Costs: $2,556.74 16.K.1.a d El tV to 0) LO tV O L L U c E O U c d E t 0 to r Q Packet Pg. 1356