Herrera, Francisco, Vista Dunes MHP/Settlement Agr 06SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
AND
RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
This SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS ("Agreement")
is entered into this _2!Qday of September 2006 by and between the La Quinta Redevelopment
Agency, a public body corporate and politic (the "Agency"), and Francisco Herrera and
Jacqueline Rendon Herrera, (collectively, "Herrera"). The Agency and Herrera are hereinafter
sometimes individually referred to as "Party" and collectively referred to as "Parties."
This Agreement is made with reference to the following facts:
RECITALS
A. Agency has purchased that real property commonly known as Vista Dunes Mobile
Home Park ("Park"), located at 78-990 Miles Avenue, La Quinta, California, 92253 ("Property").
B. Herrera was the owner of a mobile home ("Mobile Home"), utilized for
residential purposes on the Property.
C. On November 15, 2004, Herrera signed a Notice of Eligibility and Conditional
Entitlement Letter (the "Eligibility Letter'). Under the terms of this letter, Herrera agreed to
accept a total of $44,000 for relocation assistance and Mobile Home acquisition.
D. Herrera vacated the Mobile Home on or about December 16, 2004 and received
final compensation check from the Agency on or about March 11, 2005.
F. On March 21, 2006, Herrera submitted an appeal letter ("Appeal Letter") alleging
that Herrera was entitled to additional relocation assistance and requesting formal review and
reconsideration before the Appeal- Board.,
G. A formal review and reconsideration hearing was held on June 8, 2006.
H. To provide for certain relocation assistance and acquisition payments and to
release any claims that may exist, Agency and Herrera, now desire to enter this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the foregoing Recitals, which are incorporated herein, and the
covenants and promises hereinafter contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Additional Relocation Assistance Settlement Amount Payment to Herrera.
In settlement of all claims released by this Agreement, the Agency shall pay to Herrera
the total sum of FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE DOLLARS ($4,659)
as relocation assistance and acquisition (the "Settlement Amount").
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2. No Admissions.
It is understood and agreed that this Agreement is not an admission of liability, and that
the Parties intend merely to resolve Herrera's claims by entering into this Agreement. The
Parties agree that it. is their mutual intention that neither this Agreement nor any terms hereof
shall be admissible in any pending or future proceedings against the Agency, except a proceeding
to enforce this Agreement.
Method and Timing, of Payments
The Agency payment to Herrera of the Settlement Amount shall be made in the following
manner: Agency shall make the check for the Settlement Amount payable to Herrera. The
Settlement Payment shall be made by delivering the check to Herrera within five (5) business
days after the date this Agreement has been fully executed by all the Parties identified in the
signature pages. It is the understanding of the Parties that the Settlement Amount consists of
relocation assistance and is not subject to taxation; however, Herrera acknowledges and
understands that the Agency does not represent and warrant, nor has it represented or warranted,
any tax effects that may occur as a result of accepting the Settlement Amount and Herrera
acknowledges and understands that they should seek advice from a competent tax professional.
Agency's Settlement Amount obligation pursuant to this Agreement shall be fully discharged and
satisfied upon delivery of the Settlement Amount to Herrera as set forth herein, provided
however, that the Settlement Amount check is not thereafter returned for insufficient funds or
payment stopped thereon.
4. Promise Not to Prosecute.
Herrera agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that they will not prosecute or allow
to be prosecuted on their behalf, in any administrative agency or court, whether state or federal,
any Released Claim as set forth in Section 5. If any such action is brought, this Agreement will
constitute an Affirmative Defense thereto, and the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover
reasonable costs and attorneys fees incurred in prosecuting or defending against any Released
Claim brought pursuant to this Section 4.
5. Mutual Release.
Herrera for themselves, all occupants of the Mobile Home, including without limitation
any members of the family or household, any co -tenants, guests, and sub -tenants, and any
members of any of their families or households. (collectively, the "Occupants"), and their
respective agents, successors, assigns, and all entities related to any of the foregoing, and on
behalf of all persons claiming any interest in the Mobile Home or this Agreement (collectively
the "Releasing Parties"), irrevocably and absolutely releases and discharges the Agency, as well
as any present or former employees, subsidiaries, officers, agents, consultants, attorneys, insurers,
successors and assigns of defendants and the Agency (collectively, the "Released Parties") from
any and all claims related in any way to the sufficiency of the relocation assistance provided to
Herrera, including but not limited to the claims raised in the Appeal Letter and the facts and
circumstances asserted therein, to the fullest extent permitted by law. This release is intended to
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be interpreted broadly to apply to any and all of Herrera's claims arising in connection with the
relocation from the Park, including, but not limited to, any and all losses, liabilities, claims,
charges, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising
directly or indirectly out of or in any way connected with the allegations made in the Appeal
Letter (collectively, "Released Claims"). Except as otherwise provided, Released Claims
include, without limitation, any of Herrera's claims in connection with the relocation from the
Park, including those based in equity, tort, contract, common law, the state or federal
Constitutions, or state or federal statutes. The releases and covenants not to sue granted in this
Agreement do not extend to, and nothing in this Agreement will be construed to limit, any
Parry's rights to enforce this Agreement according to its terms.
6. Unknown or Different Facts.
Herrera acknowledges that they may discover facts or law different from, or in addition
to, the facts or law known or believed to exist with respect to a Released Claim. The Releasing
Parties, agree, nonetheless, that this Agreement and the releases contained in it shall be and
remain effective in all respects notwithstanding such different or additional facts or law. Thus,
Herrera may not invoke the benefits of Civil Code section 1542 or any similar provision in order
to prosecute or assert in any manner claims released hereunder. Section 1542 provides as
follows:
"A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH
THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS
FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH, IF
KNOWN BY HIM, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR:"
Herrera's Initials: ^\. H
By initialing above, Herrera on behalf of the Releasing Parties acknowledges that they
have read all of this Agreement, including the above Civil Code section, and that they fully
understands both the Agreement and the Civil Code section. Insofar as California Civil Code
section 1542 or a similar provision relates to the releases given in this Agreement, Herrera
waives any benefits and rights granted to her pursuant to Civil Code section 1542 or a similar
provision.
7. No Personal Liability.
No officer, official, employee, agent, or representative of the Agency shall be personally
liable for any amounts due hereunder, and no judgment or execution thereon entered in any
action hereon shall be personally enforced against any such officer, official, member, employee,
agent or representative.
8. Entire Agreement; Merger of Prior Agreements and Understandings.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the Parties relating to the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement. All prior or contemporaneous agreements,
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understandings, representations and statements, oral or written, are merged in this Agreement and
shall be of no further force or effect.
9. Severability.
Should it be determined by a court that any term of this Agreement is unenforceable, that
tern shall be deemed to be deleted. However, the validity and enforceability of the remaining
terms shall not be affected by the deletion of the unenforceable terms.
10. Modifications.
This Agreement shall be amended only by a written instrument, which specifically
indicates in its recitals that it is for the purpose of amending this Agreement, that is executed by
all Parties hereto.
IL . Cooperation and Further Assurances.
The Parties agrees to do all things necessary and to execute all further documents
necessary and appropriate to carry out and effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.
12. Counterparts.
This Agreement can be executed in one or more counterparts, with the same force and
effect as if executed in one complete document.
12.1 Facsimile Signature Deemed Original.
This Agreement can be signed and delivered by facsimile transmission, and such
facsimile documents shall be deemed originals and binding upon the signatories upon receipt
(with transmission confirmed) by the Party to whom the facsimile transmission is sent.
13. Authori .
Each individual signing this Agreement warrants and represents that she/he has full
capacity and authority to execute the Agreement on whose behalf she/he so signed, as provided
by law.
14. Governiniz Law.
This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of California and shall, in all
respects, be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of California.
15. Warranty.
Each of the Parties to this Agreement warrants that no promise or inducement has been
made or offered by any of the Parties, except as set forth herein, and that this Agreement is not
executed in reliance upon any statement or representation of any of the Parties or their
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representatives, concerning the nature and extent of the injuries, damages or legal liability
therefore.
16. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and
their respective, heirs, administrators, executors, trustees, successors and assigns, and each of
them.
17. Interpretation, Construction.• Advice of Counsel.
The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used
in interpreting this Agreement. The Parties declare and represent that they fully understand this
Agreement are: (i) executing this Agreement with the opportunity to obtain advice from legal
counsel and without coercion by any party, (ii) that this Agreement shall be complete and shall
not be subject to any claim of mistake, and (iii) that the releases herein express full and complete
releases and, regardless of the adequacy or inadequacy of the consideration, the Parties intend the
releases herein to be final and complete. The Parties acknowledge they have had an opportunity
to review and discuss each term of this Agreement with legal counsel and, therefore, the rule of
construction stating that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party is
inapplicable and shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.
Herrera's Initials
[Signatures on the following pages)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agency and Herrera have signed this Agreement on the
date(s) set forth below.
Dated: tJ U , 2006
Dated: G/ .2006
ATTEST:
Debbie Powell, Interim City Clerk
HERRERA.
Francisco Herrera
,A-1-1—� '?1IL" /_ 4,-,
J cque ne Rendon Herrera
AGENCY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
CITY OF LA QUINTA, a public body
corporate and politic, Donald Adolph, Stanley
Sniff, Tom Kirk, Terry Henderson, and Lee
Osborne, in their official capacities as directors
of t Q ' to Re level gency,
�`- By:as P
m. Genovese, Executive Director
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
' 11 / f
M. K ffee3en on, Agency Counsel
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