Iowa City approves confidentiality agreement over landfill fire talks

IOWA CITY – Iowa City will enter into confidential negotiations to try to settle a dispute with its insurance provider over coverage of a major fire at the city landfill in 2012.

The City Council Tuesday night voted 7-0 to approve a confidentiality agreement in advance of a settlement conference with Travelers Companies Inc.

In May 2012, a fire believed to have been caused by something hot being dropped off broke out in a 7.5-acre section of the city's landfill and burned for weeks.

The fire caused an estimated $3.5 million in damage. Connecticut-based Travelers has paid $154,708, but city officials have pushed for the full amount.

In a settlement conference, parties try to settle a dispute without going to trial. The confidentially agreement approved by the City Council says the information discussed in the talks will be inadmissible as evidence. It also says the city will disclose only what information it is required to as a public entity.

Two insurance experts have told The Gazette the fire did not appear to be covered because the actual landfill is not mentioned in the city's property insurance policy.