2019 LQ Polo Estates Association - Settlement Agrmt & Mutual ReleaseSETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
AND MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
("Settlement Agreement") is made and entered into as of the AAay of October, 2019 by and
between plaintiff La Quinta Polo Estates Association, Inc., a California non-profit mutual benefit
corporation ("LQPE") and defendants the City of Indio, a municipal corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of California ("City"), Coachella Valley Association of
Governments, a joint powers authority under the laws of the State of California ("CVAG"), City of
La Quinta, a municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California,
and Granite Construction Company, a California corporation ("Granite") (collectively hereinafter
referred to as the "Parties"). The City, CVAG, the City of La Quinta, and Granite are collectively
hereinafter referred to as "Defendants."
RECITALS
A. Granite and The City entered into a written contract pursuant to which Granite
agreed to construct the work of improvement described as the Madison Street Improvement
Project from Avenue 50 to Avenue 52 (ST503K) (the "Project") in exchange for payment by
the City (the "Contract").
B. On or about January 23, 2019, LQPE commenced a civil action entitled La
Quinta Polo Estates Association, Inc. v. City ofLa Quinta, et al., Riverside Superior Court Case
No. PSC 1900574 ("Action"). In its Complaint, LQPE requests: (1) a temporary restraining
order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction enjoining Defendants from continuing
construction associated with the Madison Street Project on the La Quinta side of Madison Street,
(2) declaratory relief that the Madison Street Project violates the Equestrian Overlay regulations
per City of La Quinta Municipal Code section 9.110.090, 9.140.060, et seq., that the Madison
Street Project has and will continue to cause irreparable harm to the trees located on the City of
La Quinta side of Madison Street, that the Madison Street Project is a public nuisance, and that
the Madison Street Project is inconsistent with Defendants' project plan, and (3) costs of suit
and attorney fees.
C. The Parties to the Settlement Agreement, without admission of liability or fault in
any way by Defendants, desire to enter into this Settlement Agreement in order to provide for
discharge of all claims among the Parties, which are, or might have been, the subject matter of the
Complaint upon the terms and conditions set forth below. It is expressly understood, therefore,
that the mutual releases contained in this Settlement Agreement are to the fullest extent possible.
D. "Released Claims" as referenced in this Settlement Agreement shall collectively
mean: (1) all actions, claims, demands, obligations, causes of action, rights, damages, costs, loss
of services, expenses and compensation relating to, arising out of, or connected with the Madison
Street Project; (2) all actions, claims, demands, obligations, causes of action, rights, damages,
costs, loss of services, expenses and compensation relating to rising out of, or connected with the
matter that are the subject of the Complaint in Case No. PSC 1900574; and (3) all actions, claims,
demands, obligations, causes of action, rights, damages, costs, loss of services, expenses and
compensation that were or could have been brought in the Complaint regarding the Madison Street
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Project and associated trees located on the La Quinta side of Madison Street, including claims that
are known or unknown, matured or unmatured, whether at law or in equity, whether for personal
injury or property damage, whether before a local, state or federal court, tribunal, administrative
agency or commission, and whether now liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not concealed or
hidden, asserted or that might have been asserted, including under any federal, state or local
consumer protection statute or administrative rules or regulation, or under any other state or federal
statutes, or regulations, by the Parties (together with their predecessors, successors,
representatives, parents, spouses, siblings, subsidiaries and affiliates, and the heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assignees).
E. The Released Claims do not include rights and claims between Granite, CVAG, the
City of La Quinta, and the City that do not relate to or arise from the Action. These Parties each
reserve any and all rights between or among each other concerning the Contract and the Project.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual covenants and
promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1.0 Recitals
Paragraphs A through E of the preceding Section entitled "RECITALS" are
incorporated by this reference and are expressly made as covenants of this Agreement.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
2.0 Payments and Consideration
2.1 The Cit 's Payment, Within thirty (30) days of receipt by counsel for the City of this fully -
executed Agreement, and receipt of the Request for Dismissal described in Paragraph 2.2
below, the City shall cause to be made a payment in the amount of Nineteen Thousand
Four Hundred and Forty Dollars ($19,440.00) ("City's Payment") to "La Quinta Polo
Estates Association, Inc." and delivered to LQPE's counsel of record in the Action.
2.2 City of La Quinta's Removal of Dead Trees. To the extent trees, as alleged as part of this
Action, are located in the City of La Quinta right of way on the La Quinta side of Madison
Street, La Quinta will have the obligation to remove any dead trees in accordance with La
Quinta's general practices and standards for removing dead vegetation in the right of way
within a reasonable time under the circumstances.
2.3 Dismissal of Action with Prejudice; Upon full execution of this Agreement, LQPE shall
provide counsel for the City with an executed Request for Dismissal which dismisses the
entire action against all Defendants with prejudice. Counsel for the City will not file the
Request for Dismissal with the Court until it forwards the settlement check in Paragraph
2.1 to counsel for LQPE.
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3.0 Mutual Releases
Except for the liabilities and obligations arising out of this Agreement, the Parties, from
now and into the future, hereby generally, mutually, fully, finally and forever release, acquit,
waive, discharge and exonerate each other and their respective principals, owners, shareholders,
partners, attorneys, consultants, experts, guarantors, parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors,
indemnitors, predecessors, affiliates, assigns, officers, directors, employees, agents, insurance
companies, and reinsurance companies from and against any and all existing or past claims,
obligations, costs, fees, expenses, damages, compensation, liens, promises, demands, rights,
actions, causes of action, litigation and/or liability, of any kind whatsoever, whether known or
unknown, contingent or liquidated, relating to or arising from the Action. The Parties represent
that they are not presently aware of any existing claims, costs, or obligations against the other,
except for what has been alleged by LQPE in the Action. This release shall include all of the
Released Claims described in Paragraph D. This release does not include, and Defendants
specifically reserve all rights and claims detailed in Paragraph E, above.
4.0 Civil Code Section 1542 Waiver
It is understood and agreed that the releases contained herein extend to all claims of every
nature and kind whatsoever, known and unknown, and there is expressly released with regard to
such claims all rights under California Civil Code section 1542, which provides as follows:
A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or
releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her
favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by
him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement
with the debtor or released party.
The Parties waive any and all rights they may have under Section 1542 as it presently
reads or as it shall be amended. In connection with this waiver, the Parties acknowledge that
they are aware that they may hereafter discover claims presently unknown or unsuspected or
facts in addition to or different from those they now know or believe to be true with respect to the
claims released herein. Nevertheless, they intend through this Agreement to release fully,
finally, and forever, in the manner described, all claims released. Accordingly, the release shall
remain in effect as a full and complete release of the claims released notwithstanding the
discovery or existence of any such additional facts or different claims relating thereto.
5.0 Effectiveness
This Settlement Agreement shall become effective immediately following execution by the
Parties. This Settlement Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
6.0 Construction
This Agreement shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of California
and shall be construed as if drafted by the Parties, and each of them.
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7.0 Warranty of Authority
Each person who signs on behalf of any party hereto affixing his or her name below
thereby warrants and represents that he or she has the full legal authority to bind his or her
respective party to all of the terms, conditions, and provisions of this Agreement, that his or her
respective party has the full legal right, power, capacity, and authority to enter into this
Agreement and perform all of the obligations herein, and that no other approvals or consents are
necessary in connection therewith.
8.0 Successors and Assigns
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each of the Parties, and
their respective heirs, assigns, and successors in interest.
9.0 Complete Agreement
This Agreement is intended by the Parties as a final expression of their agreement and is
intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the
Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect
to such subject matter, except between Granite, the City, CVAG, and the City of La Quinta, and
the Contract remains in full force and effect and is not superseded by this Agreement.
10.0 Enforcement of Agreement
The Parties agree that, in the event of a breach of this Agreement, the aggrieved party shall be
entitled to recover from the breaching party, in addition to any other relief provided by law, such costs
and expenses as may be incurred by the aggrieved party, including court costs, attorneys' fees, and
other costs and expenses reasonably necessary in preparing the defense of, defending against, or
seeking or obtaining an abatement of, or injunction against, such action or such proceeding, or
enforcing this Agreement, or establishing and maintaining the applicability of, or the validity of this
Agreement, or any provision thereof, and in prosecuting any counter -claim or cross -complaint based
thereon. The Riverside Superior Court shall have jurisdiction for the enforcement of this Agreement
pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure sections 664.6 and 664.7.
11.0 Amendment
This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or altered, except in a writing
signed by each of the Parties.
12.0 Severance
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed to be severed and deleted; and neither that provision,
nor its severance and deletion, shall affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement.
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13.0 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and, if so executed, all counterparts
shall be deemed to form part of a single integrated document and shall be construed together for
all purposes.
14.0 Electronic and Fax Signatures
In order to expedite the settlement described and otherwise contemplated herein, faxed,
emailed and PDF'd signatures may be used in place of original inked signatures on this
Settlement Agreement. Other than those specific instances, the parties hereto agree and intend to
be bound by their signatures transmitted or provided by fax, email or PDF; the parties hereto are
aware that the other will rely on such signatures, and therefore, the parties hereto waive any
defenses to the enforcement of the terms of this Settlement Agreement based on the manner in
which signatures were transmitted or provided.
15.0 No Admission of Liability
The settlement, releases, and other matters set forth herein are a compromise and
settlement of disputed and contested claims between the Parties, and nothing contained herein
shall be construed as an admission by any party of any breach of any obligation to any other party
hereto and/or of any liability of any kind to any other party hereto.
16.0 Cooperation
The Parties agree to execute any other documents, and perform other acts necessary to
give effect to the intent and purposes of this Settlement Agreement.
17.0 No Intention to Benefit any Third -Parties
The Parties to this Agreement agree that this Agreement and its terms and conditions are
not intended to, and do not, give any right or rights to any third party whatsoever, nor do they
create any duty by the Parties to this Agreement to third parties who are not a party to this
Agreement.
18.0 Each of the Parties is Represented by Counsel
Each of the Parties to this Agreement hereto are represented by counsel, and each
represent that their respective counsel has read this Agreement, and that each party hereto has had
the meaning and effect of this document explained fully by legal counsel, or has affirmatively
waived any such counsel, that each party has read and understood the contents of this Agreement,
and that each party executes this document voluntarily, knowingly and without duress or undue
influence.
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19.0 Attorneys lees and Costs
Each party hereto shall bear all of its attorneys' fees and costs arising from the actions
of their respective counsel in connection with this Action, this Settlement Agreement and the
matters and documents referred to herein.
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IM
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
DATED: 10/09/19
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
By: ZZ77 a41-qzl Axl)
Name: De a T. DeAztlan
Title: President, La Quinta Polo Estates
CITY OF LA QUINTA, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
CITY OF INDIO, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS, a Joint Powers Authority
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
DATED:
DATED:
DATED:
DATED:
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
Name:
Title:
CITY OF LA QUINTA, a California Municipal
Corporation
By:
- I�UL 1AIV -
Name: kada Camla0s-l10n7e1•0
Title: Acting City Manager
CITY OF INDIO, a California Municipal
Corporation
Name:
Title:
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS, a Joint Powers Authority
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Name:
Title:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
DATED: _— By:
Name:
Title:
CITY OF LA QUINTA, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
CITY OF INDIO, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED:_ `D —-/�_ By: `L
Name: Mark Scott
Title: City Manager
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS, a Joint Powers Authority
DATED: By
Name:
Title:
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
CITY OF LA QUINTA, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED: By:
Name:
Title:
CITY OF INDIO, a California Municipal
Corporation
DATED: _ By:
Name:
Title:
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS, a Joint Powers Authority
DATED: I ®1 q By:—
Nam,, T
em Kirk
Title: Executive Director
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GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, a
California Corporation
r'
r�
DATED: October 9, 2019 By: —
Name: Kenneth Olson
Title: Vice -President and Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
GREEN BRYANT & FRENCH LLP
DATED: ___ _ _ _ By:
Colin Mani, Esq.
Attorney for Plaintiff,
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
RICHARD, WATSON & GERSHON, LLP
DATED: By:-
Robert C. Ceccon, Esq.
Attorney for Defendants,
CITY OF INDIO and COACHELLA
VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS
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DATED:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DATED: G D— t(`2-0 t k
DATED: 0 /d ` �C-) � 6
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, a
Califomia Corporation
0
Name:
Title:
GREEN BRYANT & FRENCH LLP
By: -� ~�
Colin Mani, Esq.
Attorney for Plaintiff,
LA QUINTA POLO ESTATES
ASSOCIATION, INC.
RICHARD, WATSON & GERSHON, LLP
By.
—I//,/,// � &,,,
Robert C. Ceccon, Esq.
Attorney for Defendants,
CITY OF INDIO and COACHELI.,A
VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF'
GOVERNMENTS
DATED: October 10, 2019
DATED:
RUTAN & TUCKER, LLP
Robert Owen, Esq.
Attorney for Defendant,
CITY OF LA QUINTA
FINCH, THORNTON & BAIRD, LLP
Andrea L. Petray, Esq.
Attorney for Defendant,
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY
ME
RUTAN & TUCICER, LLP
DATED: By:
Robert Owen, Esq,
Attorney for Defendant,
CITY OF LA QUINTA
FINCH, THORNTON & BAIRD, LLP
DATED: I V j q/lc By:
Andrea L.
Attorney f
COMPANY
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