MONROE - In a meeting Wednesday, the City of Monroe Claims Committee discussed and voted unanimously to recommend to council to deny a claim from Vasudev Patel. Patel was claiming $145 plus tax for alleged damage to a lamp pole when a tree branch fell on it on a uncertain date. According to City Clerk Carol Stamm, the city's insurance company recommended to deny damages as the incident was an "act of God." Stamm said the incident happened following a heavy ice storm.