Agenda 09/23/2014 Item #16K 19/23/2014 16. K.1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Collier
County Board of County Commissioners against the Vineyards Development Corporation,
Debra Lee Gogan, Amelia Sosa, and Astrid Ramirez in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth
Judicial Circuit, in and for Collier County, Florida, to recover damages for the repair of a
traffic control box in the amount of $30,771.56, plus costs of litigation.
OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners to authorize the County Attorney to file
a lawsuit against the Vineyards Development Corporation, Debra Lee Gogan, Amelia Sosa, and
Astrid Ramirez, for the repair of a traffic control box in the amount of $30,771.56, plus costs of
litigation.
CONSIDERATIONS: On October 29, 2013 a vehicle owned by the Vineyards Development
Corporation and operated by Debra Gogan, an employee of the Vineyards Development
Corporation, was in the left hand, west -bound turn lane on Pine Ridge Road at the intersection
with Whippoorwill Lane. The traffic signals were green for both westbound and east bound
traffic. A vehicle owned by Amelia Sosa, and being operated by Astrid Ramirez, was traveling
east bound on Pine Ridge Road in the inside lane. The vehicle operated by Debra Gogan
attempted a U -turn in front of the Sosa vehicle. The Sosa vehicle struck the Gogan vehicle,
spinning it around. The Sosa vehicle then struck and caused significant damage to a County -
owned traffic control box on the south east corner of Pine Ridge Road and Whippoorwill Lane.
The two drivers, along with the owners of the vehicles, have since filed lawsuits against each
other, and refused to address the County's damages. The County has no other recourse for
recovery of the costs than to proceed with litigation.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are budgeted and available in the Risk Management Property &
Casualty Fund.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated
with this item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been approved as to form and legality and
requires a majority vote for Board approval. - KN
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 the Vineyards Development Corporation, Debra Lee Gogan, Amelia Sosa, and Astrid
Ramirez, in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida,
to recover damages for the repair of a traffic control box in the amount of $30,771.56, plus costs
of litigation.
PREPARED BY: Kevin L. Noell, Assistant County Attorney
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9/23/2014 16.K.1.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.16.K.16.K.1.
Item Summary: Recommendation to authorize the County Attorney to file a lawsuit on
behalf of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners against the Vineyards
Development Corporation, Debra Lee Gogan, Amelia Sosa, and Astrid Ramirez in the Circuit
Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, in and for Collier County, Florida, to recover damages for
the repair of a traffic control box in the amount of $30,771.56, plus costs of litigation.
Meeting Date: 9/23/2014
Prepared By
Name: CrotteauKathynell
Title: Legal Secretary, CAO Office Administration
9/10/2014 2:34:38 PM
Approved By
Name: WalkerJeff
Title: Director - Risk Management, Risk Management
Date: 9/10/2014 2:46:35 PM
Name: NoellKevin
Title: Assistant County Attorney, CAO General Services
Date: 9/10/2014 3:22:46 PM
Name: IsacksonMark
Title: Director -Corp Financial and Mngmt Svs, Office of Management & Budget
Date: 9/11/2014 11:35:56 AM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 9/11/2014 2:39:45 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 9/13/2014 1:48:21 PM
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