Port District Frees Its Insurers

Ventura Port District commissioners have accepted $127,000 from their insurance companies in return for releasing the insurers from claims arising out of the Ventura Keys lawsuits.

The commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to accept the settlement agreement with eight of the district’s insurance companies. Commissioner Richard Hambleton was absent.

The port district was named in lawsuits by Ventura Keys residents who contend that they should not have to pay all the costs of dredging and maintaining their back yard canals. About 200 of the 300 Keys homeowners have filed such lawsuits, which also name the city and county of Ventura. The suits are pending, but settlement talks are under way.

Port District General Manager Richard Parsons said the port district was threatening to sue the insurance companies for refusing to defend the district in the litigation.

“This seems like a reasonable settlement to us,” Parsons said. “We really didn’t want to be suing eight insurance carriers. We have enough problems as it is.”