HomeMy WebLinkAboutHBPOA - 2005-11-07CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH X
Inter -Department Communication VIA
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TO: JOAN FLYNN, City Clerk 0-<
FROM: SCOTT FIELD, Assistant City Attorney 3
DATE: December 19, 2005 x
SUBJECT: City of Huntington Beach v HBPOA
On November 7, 2005, the City Council authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the
Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and the City regarding the Gun
Range case. Attached please find a copy of the announcement from the Action Agenda for
November 7, 2005,
I have attached two originals of the Settlement Agreement. Would you please attest to the
two sets of the Agreement and have the Mayor sign them, Anything you can do to obtain the
Mayor's signature today, December 19, 2005, would be much appreciated.
SCOTT FIELD
Assistant City Attorney
Attachments
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GAPLEAD\Gun Range\CorrespondenceWemo to Clerk re U.S.Aoc
ACTION AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
MONDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2005
4:00 P.M. - Room B-8
6:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
Civic Center, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
4:00 P.M. - Room B-8
4:03 p.m.
Call City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting to Order
Roll Call Hansen, Coerper, Sullivan, Green, Bohr, Cook (Mayor Hardy has
requested permission to be absent pursuant to Resolution No. 2001-54)
Present, Mayor Hardy and CM Bohr absent
Pursuant to the Brown (Open Meetings) Act the City Clerk Announces Late
Communications Received by Her Office Which Pertain to Items on the Agenda
(1) The Brown (Open Meetings) Act requires that copies of late communications submitted
by City Councilmembers or City Departments are to be made available to the public at the
City Council meeting. (2) Late communications submitted by members of the public are to
be made available to the public at the City Clerk's Office the morning after the Council
meeting. (Late Communications are communications regarding agenda items that have
been received by the City Clerk's Office following distribution of the agenda packet.)
SS #3
Public Comments Regarding 4:00 P.M. Portion of Council Meeting for Study
Session and Closed Session Agenda Items
Speaker inquired about water utility companies and if the Study Session No. 1
topic applies to Poseidon Resources.
Public Works Director Robert F. Beardsley responded to the speaker's inquiry,
clarifying that Poseidon is a private, not a public utility.
(4) November 7, 2005 - Council/Agency Agenda - Page 4
(City Council) Closed Session — Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to
meet with its designated representatives: Agency Negotiators: Penelope Culbreth-
Graft, City Administrator; Chuck Thomas, Acting Deputy City Administrator, Dan
Villella, Finance Officer; and Irma Youssefieh, Human Resources Manager regarding
labor relations matters — meet and confer with the following employee organizations:
MEA and SCLEA. Subject: Labor Relations — Meet & Confer. (120.80)
(City Council) Closed Session - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 to
consider personnel matters. Subject: Review of Contract Terms for Deputy City
Administrator. (120.80)
6:00 P.M. - Council Chambers
6:15 p.m.
MPT Sullivan announced the passing of Art Mendez, 15 year City employee, and
dedicated the meeting to his memory.
MPT Sullivan announced notices of absence from Mayor Hardy and CM Bohr
pursuant to Resolution No. 2001-54.
MPT Sullivan and Councilmembers wished City Clerk Joan L. Flynn a Happy
Birthday.
The City Attorney Shall Determine If Any Actions Taken By The City Council or
Redevelopment Agency In Closed Session Shall Require A Reporting On Those
Actions As Required By Law (Government Code §54957.1(a) (3) (B)).
Attorney McGrath announced that in Closed Session on November 7, 2005 the
City Council voted 5-0 to authorize the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest
to a settlement agreement in amount of $55,000 in the case of City of Huntington
Beach vs Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, U.S. District Court Case
No. SA01-1125JVS and related actions regarding the Huntington Beach Gun
Range.
Roll Call Hansen, Coerper, Sullivan, Green, Bohr, Cook (Mayor Hardy has
requested permission to be absent pursuant to Resolution No. 2001-54)
Present, Mayor Hardy and CM Bohr absent
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PRINTED ON
JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield@surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323) 852-1000
Facsimile: 323) 651-2577
E-mail: hgoldflam@frandzel.com
Attorneyys for Plaintiff
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
vs.
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, a
California mutual benefit corporation; et
al.,
Defendants.
And Related Claims and Third Party
Complaints.
CASE NO. SACV 01-1125 JVS (ANx)
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN PLAINTIFF CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND
DEFENDANT UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, WITH [PROPOSED]
ORDER
field/plead/gun range/settlement agreement
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Settlement Agreement ("Agreement") is made, as of the Effective Date of
this Agreement as defined in Paragraph 3 below, between Plaintiff, City of
Huntington Beach ("Plaintiff') and Defendant and Third -Party Defendant, United
States of America ("United States"), collectively referred to as "the Settling Parties."
WHEREAS, Plaintiff brought this action styled City of Huntington Beach v.
Huntington Beach Police Officers Association and bearing Civil Action Number
SACVO I - 1125 -JVS-AN in the United States District Court for the Central District of
California ("the Action");
WHEREAS, the Action involves claims by Plaintiff under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675,
as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-499, 100 Stat. 1613 (1986) (hereinafter "CERCLA"), together with other
claims, seeking to recover certain costs Plaintiff has allegedly incurred or will
allegedly incur in response to the release or threatened release of allegedly hazardous
substances at what was formerly a gun range located at 18211 Gothard Street,
Huntington Beach, California, and described in paragraph 3 of Plaintiff's Third
Amended Complaint as the "Property" and seeking a declaration as to the various
Defendants' liability for costs to be incurred in the future;
WHEREAS, the Settling Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to have,
subject to the terms of this Agreement, a full and final resolution of any and all
Plaintiff's claims that were, could now be, or hereafter be asserted against the United
States in connection with the Property and to avoid the complication and expense of
further litigation of such claims concerning the Property;
WHEREAS, a non -settling party in the Action, the Huntington Beach Police
Officers Association ("POA"), has filed cross -claims against the United States in the
Action;
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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WHEREAS, the Settling Parties agree that this Agreement is fair, reasonable
and in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the United States enters into this Agreement as a final settlement
of Plaintiff's claims in connection with the Property and does not admit any liability
arising from occurrences or transactions pertaining to the Property;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED that:
1. The Parties. The "Settling Parties" to this Agreement are Plaintiff and
the United States.
2. Binding Agreement. This Agreement applies to, is binding upon, and
inures to the benefit of Settling Parties (and their successors, assigns, and designees).
3. Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be the date
the Court approves this Agreement in any form substantially similar to the Proposed
Order attached hereto such that the Court dismisses any "Covered Matters." If the
Court denies approval of this Agreement, the Plaintiff still shall make a good faith
effort to effectuate a dismissal with prejudice of the Action, in which case the date of
dismissal shall be the Effective Date.
4. The Property. The "Property" shall mean the former gun range located
at 18211 Gothard Street in Huntington Beach, California, and as described in
paragraph 3 of Plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint.
5. Covered Matters. Except as provided by Paragraph 10 of this
Agreement, "Covered Matters" means any and all past, present, or future claims that
were, could now be or hereafter could be asserted by Plaintiff against the United
States arising out of or in connection with any conditions at the Property, including
any claims regarding off -site contamination that may be emanating from the
Property.
6. United States and City of Huntington Beach. The "United States"
� means the United States of America, including all of its departments, agencies and
2 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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I instrumentalities. The "City of Huntington Beach" means the City of Huntington
Beach, California, including all of its departments, agencies, and instrumentalities.
7. Release and Covenant Not To Sue by Plaintiff. Except as provided by
Paragraph 10 of this Agreement, upon the Effective Date of this Agreement, Plaintiff
hereby forever releases, discharges, and covenants and agrees not to assert (by way of
the commencement of an action, the joinder of the United States in an existing action
or in any other fashion) the United States from any and all Covered Matters, whether
brought in law or in equity, which it may have had, now have, or hereafter have,
including, but not limited to, claims under CERCLA sections 107 and 113.
8. Protection Against Claims.
a. The Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the payment to be
made by the United States pursuant to this Agreement represents a good faith
compromise of disputed claims and that the compromise represents a fair, reasonable,
and equitable discharge for Covered Matters.
b. Any rights the United States may have to obtain contribution or
otherwise recover costs or damages from persons not party to this Agreement are
preserved.
C. With regard to any claims for costs, damages or other claims
against the United States related to Covered Matters, the Settling Parties agree that
the United States is entitled to contribution protection pursuant to section 113(f) of
CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f), the Uniform Comparative Fault Act, and any other
applicable provision of federal or state law, whether by statute or common law,
extinguishing the United States' liability to persons not party to this Agreement.
Accordingly, the United States shall bring, and Plaintiff shall join in and/or support,
as may be appropriate, such legal proceedings as necessary to secure the Courts
approval of this Agreement and entry of the Order attached hereto, and to secure and
maintain the contribution protection contemplated in this Agreement.
3 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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d. This Agreement shall remain binding and in effect regardless of
whether or not the Court approves the terms of the Agreement. In either event, the
Plaintiff shall seek dismissal with prejudice of the Action as to the United States.
9. Paymement.
a. Within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, the United States
shall pay Fifty -Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) to Plaintiff. Payment shall in the
form of a check or checks make payment payable to the "City of Huntington Beach"
and sent to Shari Freidenrich, City Treasurer, City of Huntington Beach, 2000 Main
Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, or by Electronic Funds Transfer in accordance
with instructions provided by the Plaintiff.
b. If such payment is not made in full within ninety (90) days after
the Effective Date of this Agreement, then interest on the unpaid balance shall be
paid commencing on the 91 st day after the Effective Date. Interest shall accrue at the
rate specified for interest on investments of the Hazardous Substance Superfund
established under subchapter A of chapter 98 of Title 26 of the United States Code.
C. Said payment by the United States is subject to the availability of
funds appropriated for such purpose. No provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted as or constitute a commitment or requirement that the United States
obligate or pay funds in contravention of the Anti -Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341.
10. Covenant Not to Sue by United States and Reservation. The United
States hereby covenants not to sue Plaintiff for Covered Matters, except that nothing
in this Settlement Agreement shall be construed as waiving or releasing the right of
the United States, on behalf of either the United States Environmental Protection
Agency ("EPA") or a natural resources trustee, to bring claims against Plaintiff. In
the event the United States brings such a claim on behalf of EPA or a natural resource
trustee, nothing in this Agreement acts as a waiver or release of any defense,
counterclaim, or other claim that Plaintiff may have with regard to any such claims.
4 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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11. Effect of Settlement/Entry of Judgment.
a. This Agreement was negotiated and executed by Plaintiff and the
United States in good faith and at arms length and is a fair and equitable compromise
of claims, which were vigorously contested. This Agreement shall not constitute or
be construed as an admission of liability by the United States. Nor is it an admission
or denial of any factual allegations set out in the Complaint or cross -claim or third -
party claim or an admission of violation of any law, rule, regulation, or policy by any
of the Settling Parties.
b. Upon approval of this Agreement and entry of an Order by the
Court, this Agreement shall constitute a final judgment among the Settling Parties.
C. Plaintiff agrees that within 14 days of the earlier of receiving from
the United States the payment provided for in this Agreement or of the Court's denial
of approval of this Agreement, Plaintiff shall move the Court to dismiss with
prejudice all of its claims in this Action against the United States and take whatever
other steps might be necessary to effectuate dismissal of its claims against the United
States in this Action.
d. Plaintiff agrees to support, or at least not oppose, any motion by
the United States to dismiss the claims brought against it by non -settling parties in the
Action. The United States agrees to support, or at least not oppose, Plaintiff s
motions to obtain the Court's approval of Plaintiff s settlements with other parties to
the Action or to dismiss claims brought against Plaintiff or a party with which
Plaintiff is settling by non -settling parties in the Action, so long as said motions are
fair, reasonable, in the public interest, and do not prejudice the ability of the United
States to bring claims on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency or a natural
resource trustee.
e. Plaintiff agrees to assume responsibility for cleanup of the
Property. Plaintiff agrees that should any "third party" incur "response costs" and
then sue the United States for recovery of such response costs, Plaintiff shall
5 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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04A
indemnify the United States against any resulting judgment. As used in this
subsection, the term "response costs" shall mean costs incurred after the Effective
Date of this Agreement and in connection with preparing or implementing measures
to clean up or abate Hazardous Substances (as that term is defined in CERCLA) at
the Property; the term "third party" shall mean any person or entity other than the
United States, the EPA, a natural resource trustee or the POA.
12. Dismissal with Prejudice of Claims Against the United States. As
provided in Paragraphs i 1(b) and 11(c), and except as reserved in Paragraph 10, all
claims made by Plaintiff in the Action against the United States shall be dismissed
with prejudice after the Plaintiff receives the payment contemplated in this
Settlement Agreement.
13. Notice. All notices and other communications pertaining to this
Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed received when
delivered personally, by overnight mail, or by facsimile to the Settling Party or
Parties, as the case may be, to the following address (or such other address for a
Settling Party as shall be specified by that Settling Party in a notice pursuant to this
Section).
AS TO THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1557
With Copy To:
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street, P. O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1590
6 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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AS TO THE UNITED STATES
Attn.: DJ490-11-6-17407
Chief
Environmental Defense Section
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 23996
Washington, D.C. 20026-3986
Fax: (202) 514-8865
14. Representative Authority. The individuals signing this Agreement on
behalf of the Settling Parties hereby certify that they are authorized to bind their
respective party to this Agreement.
15. Section 1542 Waiver. In giving these releases, each Settling Party
expressly waives any protection afforded by Section 1542 of the California Civil
Code, which 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."
16. Entire Settlement Agreement. This Settlement Agreement contains the
entire agreement of the Settling Parties with respect to liability for contamination at,
on, under, or emanating from the Property and supersedes any and all prior settlement
agreements, understandings, promises, and representations made by any Settling
Party to any party concerning this subject matter.
17. Executing in Counterparts. This Settlement Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an
original instrument; however, all such counterparts shall compromise but one
Settlement Agreement.
7 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Dated: December 19 , 2005
Dated: December , 2005
f `
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: DAVE SULLIVAN, Mayor
ATTEST:
0
�Ci y
APPROVVD AS TO FORM:
By:
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
SUE ELLEN WOOLDRIDGE
Assistant Attorney General
Environmental and Natural Resources Division
MICHAEL B. HEISTER, Attorney
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE
Environmental & Natural Resources Division
Environmental Defense Section
8 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 1901 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield@surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323 852-1000
Facsimile: 323 651-2577
E-mail: hgoldflam@frandzel.com
Attorne s for Plaintiff
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of -the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, a
California mutual benefit corporation; et
al.,
Defendants.
And Related Claims and Third Party
Complaints.
CASE NO. SACV 0 1- 1125 JVS (ANx)
[PROPOSED) ORDER
j (PROPOSED] ORDER
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PRINTED ON
ORDER
UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FILED
WITH THE COURT IN THIS ACTION, the Court hereby finds that this Agreement
is fair and reasonable, both procedurally and substantively, consistent with applicable
law, in good faith, and in the public interest.
THE FOREGOING Settlement Agreement is hereby APPROVED.
The United States is entitled to, as of the effective date of this Agreement,
contribution protection pursuant to section 113(f) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f),
the Uniform Comparative Fault Act, and any other applicable provision of federal or
state law, whether by statute or common law, as to all Covered Matters, as defined in
the United States and City of Huntington Beach's Settlement Agreement.
All claims by the City of Huntington Beach against the United States in this
Action are hereby dismissed with prejudice.
There being no just reason for delay, this Court expressly directs, pursuant to
Rule 54(b), Fed. R. Civ. P., ENTRY OF FINAL JUDGMENT in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, SIGNED and ENTERED this day of
20
Plaintiff and the United States shall each bear their own costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, in this case.
Dated:
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
field/plead/gun range/settlement agreement
2 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
•
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Inter -Department Communication
TO: JOAN FLYNN, City Clerk
FROM: JENNIFER McGRATH City Attorney
DATE: February 27, 2006
SUBJECT: City of Huntington Beach v. HBPOA (Gun Range Litigation)
On October 17, 2005, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to
attest to a settlement in the amount of $71,200 with the State of California regarding the
Huntington Beach Gun Range.
Attached please find the following Settlement Agreement in the Gun Range litigation for the
Mayor's signature and your signature:
(1) "Settlement Agreement By and Between Plaintiff City of Huntington Beach
and Defendant State of California."
Also enclosed is the original agreement for your files settling the City's claim against the
California Department of Fish & Game for an additional $5,747.40. Together, the State is
paying the City $76,947.40.
Please keep the original agreements for your files and send Assistant City Attorney Scott
Field certified originals.
P
JINNIFER McGRATH
City Attorney
Attachments
GAPLEAD\Gun Range\CorrespondenceNemo to Clerk re Agreements.doc
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
INTERDEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER McGRATH, City Attorney
DATE: October 17, 2005
SUBJECT: Report of Action Taken Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.1
October 17, 2005, City Council Closed Session
On Monday, October 17, 2005, the City Council convened in closed session to discuss the
matter of City of Huntington Beach v. State of California, Coast Community College
District, City of Tustin, City of Stanton, et aL; Orange County Superior Court Case
No. 05CCO0118; and related actions: City of Huntington Beach v. Huntington Beach
Police Officers Association; U.S. District Court Case No. SA 01-1125 JVS; and
Scottsdale Insurance Company v. Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, and
the related counterclaim, American States Insurance v. City of Huntington Beach,
United States District Court Case No. SA 03-1143 JVS.
Council voted to authorize the following actions:
The Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest to a settlement in the amount of
$71,200 with the State of California regarding the Huntington Beach Gun Range.
2. In exchange for the payment to the City, the City will:
(a) Dismiss with prejudice its suit against the State.
(b) Defend and indemnify the State and hold it harmless against any claims
arising out of its use of the Gun Range.
(c) Apply with the State for Court approval of the settlement agreement. If
granted, Court approval would bar anyone (including the POA) from
suing the User regarding the cost of cleaning up the Gun Range. If the
Court denies the application, the settlement requires the City to defend
the State against any third -party claims.
The Council voted as follows: 7 Ayes; 0 Noes; 0 Abstentions.
NIFER McGRATH j
City Attorney
cc: Penelope Culbreth-Graft, City Administrator
Joan Flynn, City Clerk
Closed/05Report/St. of Calif. GUN RANGE
/ab
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JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: 714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield(- surfcit.-h�b.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323) 852-1000
Facsimile: 323 651-2577
E-mail: hgo dflamgfrandzel.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, CENTRAL DISTRICT
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
CASE NO. 05CC00118
[Case Assigned to Judge Ronald L.
Sauer, Dept. CX103]
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN PLAINTIFF CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
OF DEFENDANT STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COAST [PROPOSED] ORDER AND
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT, JUDGMENT
CITY OF TUSTIN, CITY OF
STANTON AND DOES 1 TO 100,
Defendants.
Page 1 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is entered into by and
between the Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and the Department of Fish
& Game of Defendant, State of California (the "Department" or the "Settling
Defendant"). The City and Settling Defendant shall be referred to collectively as the
"Settling Parties," and sometimes individually as a "Settling Party." No other person
or entity is a party to this Agreement.
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2005, Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach (the "City")
filed that certain lawsuit entitled City of Huntington Beach vs. State of California, et
al, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 05CCO0118 (the "Action") in which it
seeks contribution and other relief arising under the California Hazardous Substance
Account Act ("HSAA"), Calif. Health & Safety Code § 25300 et seq., and for related
tort causes of action, including nuisance and trespass;
WHEREAS, the Action concerns a parcel of land located at 18211 Gothard
Street in Huntington Beach, California (the "Property"). The City alleges that the
Property was leased from the City to the Huntington Beach Police Officer's
Association (the "POA") from 1968 to 1997. From 1971 through January 1997, the
POA operated and maintained a gun range on the Property (the "Gun Range"), which
is generally depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A;
WHEREAS, in a related action filed on November 25, 2001, in the United
States District Court for the Central District of California, entitled City of Huntington
Beach v. Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, et al., Case No. SACV 01-
1125 JVS (ANx), the City sued the POA for the cleanup of the Property due to its
contamination from twenty-five (25) years of use as the Gun Range ("Related
Action");
WHEREAS, the POA named the State of California (the "State") as a third
party defendant in the Related Action. Later, on December 14, 2004, the City filed
its Third Amended Complaint in the Related Action, adding as Defendants various
persons and entities that regularly conducted firearms training at the Gun Range.
However, previously, the State had successfully moved to dismiss pursuant to the
Page 2 of 22
T T
1 Eleventh Amendment of the United States Constitution. Consequently, the City filed
2 this Action in State Court against the State of California, the Coast Community
3 College District, the City of Stanton and the City of Tustin (collectively,
4 "Defendants" ); _ _
5 WHEREAS, the Defendants have generally denied the substantive claims and
6 allegations in the Action and further denied any use or significant use of the Property,
7 and contended that any use was an invited use;
8 WHEREAS, City alleges (reference to these allegations in this Agreement
9 shall not be construed as an adoption or admission by the Settling Defendant) as
10 follows:
11 1. During the POA's ownership and operation of the Gun Range, the POA
12 allowed thousands of peace officers from numerous law enforcement agencies
13 to discharge between 500,000 to 1,000,000 rounds of lead ammunition per year
14 at the Property. As part of its range maintenance program, the POA attempted
15 to mine and recover the numerous spent ammunition rounds, slugs, and/or shell
casings by sifting the soil on the Property and recovering spent bullets for
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recycling. However, smaller fragments, shards, particles and dust that resulted
17 from bullets exploding at the range on impact were too small to be recovered
18 by the POA's mining and recovery procedures.
19 2. During the Defendants' use of the Property, hazardous substances and
20 materials were released on the Property, causing contamination of the soil and
21 groundwater. Further, as a proximate result of the Defendants' use of the
22 Property, the City has incurred and will continue to incur response costs
23 regarding the Property.
24 3. The City has incurred costs and damages in connection with the
25 investigation and cleanup of various hazardous substances (as defined in
26 Section III below, hereafter "Hazardous Substances") at the Property. The
27 City will incur additional costs and damages in the future on account of the
28 Hazardous Substances at the Property. Pursuant to the HSAA and various
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common law theories, the City is entitled to recover its response costs and
damages, and to obtain injunctive relief to compel Defendants to remediate the
Property.
4. Since the Gun Range was closed in January 1997, the City has been
engaged in an ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Property so that the public can
safely use it for park and recreational uses. Specifically, on or about December
8, 1988, the City received a lead contamination assessment from Americlean
Environmental Services, Inc., which describes pervasive lead contamination
throughout the Property. As a result of the contamination, the City was legally
compelled to take the necessary steps to remediate it and report the
contamination to the Orange County Health Care Agency ("OCHCA").
5. In December 2000, the City began drafting an environmental impact
report ("EIR") in order to determine the scope of contamination and evaluate
remedial alternatives and future reuse of the Property. In order to investigate
the scope of contamination and evaluate remedial alternatives, the City
conducted several environmental assessments of the Property, which confirm
that the soil at the Property is heavily contaminated with lead. The lead
contamination is classified as "Hazardous Substances" under HSAA.
6. As a result of the contamination, the environmental assessment, cleanup,
and remediation of the Property are being directed and overseen by OCHCA.
The City has obtained from OCHCA an approved Remedial Action Plan
("RAP").
7. The City conducted a Bench Scale Feasibility Study to further test and
investigate the Property to determine more accurately the remediation cost for
the Property. The study was completed in July 2003, and based on the most
recent estimates, the cost to remediate the Property is $2,100,000. This cost is
based upon excavating approximately 19,000 tons of soil, and achieving a
minimum cleanup standard of 750 parts per million ("ppm").
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8. The City submitted the RAP to the California Department of Toxic
Substances Control ("DTSC"), who recommended that the City perform a
health risk assessment to determine if the minimum cleanup standard should be
less than 750 ppm. The City is undertaking such a risk assessment. If as a
result of the risk assessment, a materially higher cleanup standard is imposed,
the volume of soil to be excavated could increase substantially, and the cleanup
cost could significantly and materially increase above and beyond the current
estimate.
9. In addition to the $2,100,000 estimate in the Feasibility Study, the cost
to date for regulatory approvals, including preparation of a draft EIR and RAP
is $175,000. The cost of the risk assessment analysis, which may cause
revision of the RAP, and the remaining regulatory approvals is estimated to be
$75,000. Taking into account contingencies, the estimated cost of remediation
is $3,000,000;
WHEREAS, the Settling Defendant maintains it was not liable for any claims
for relief asserted in the Action and alleges (reference to these allegations in this
Agreement shall not be construed as adoption or admission of these allegations by the
City) as follows:
l . The City owned and permitted the use of its Property as a Gun Range,
and failed to properly inspect and regulate its use to ensure the permitted
activity complied with all environmental laws.
2. The City's police department was the primary user of the Gun Range
throughout the period it was in operation and, thereby, was the primary
contributor to the alleged contamination.
3. Knowing that the Property would be used as a shooting range, the City
failed to properly regulate and restrict the use of non -lead free bullets.
4. The City invited and encouraged other city police departments to use the
Gun Range as part of joint training sessions conducted for the benefit of City's
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police department, and thereby represented all such activities were lawfully
undertaken.
5. With the City's knowledge and approval, the bullets used at the Gun
Range were supplied by and purchased from the POA, City's tenant.
6. The City financially benefited from operating peace officer firearms
courses at the Property where it directed course participants to use the Gun
Range and the bullets supplied by the POA, and thereby represented all such
activities were lawfully undertaken.
7. The City failed to properly maintain the Property to prevent the alleged
disposal release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous
substances.
8. The City has unreasonably delayed in remediating the Property, and.
negligently inspected and tested the Property so as to cause the spread and
migration of the alleged contamination.
9. The sole cause of the alleged contamination of the Property was the
City's and the POA's actions and inactions.
10. As a user of the Gun Range, the Settling Defendant's activities on the
Property, if any, do not constitute the disposal or release or threatened release
of Hazardous Substances (as the latter term is defined in Section III below and
under the HSAA);
WHEREAS, prior to entering into this Settlement Agreement, there have been
various initial disclosures, supplemental initial disclosures, and responses to public
records requests. Based upon these disclosures, various Departments and Agencies
of the State of California entered into a single Settlement Agreement resulting in a
payment to the City of $71,220.00. Separate from the Agreement releasing the State
of California, the Settling Parties have entered into this Agreement. The Settling
Defendant has disclosed that, apart from the other Departments and Agencies of the
State of California, employees of the Department of Fish & Game of the State of
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California that used the Range are estimated to have fired a total of 47,895 rounds
over the lifetime of the Range, as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto;
WHEREAS, the settlement terms as reflected in this Settlement Agreement
have been reached by the City of Huntington Beach and the Department of Fish &
Game of the State of California;
WHEREAS, without admitting any issues of fact or law, the Settling Parties
agree that the settlement memorialized in this Settlement Agreement reflects the
Settling Parties' shared desire to avoid the expense and risk inherent in continued
litigation of the Action, and is a good faith effort to advance the public interest by
ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing
significant funds toward the cleanup of the Property;
WHEREAS, based upon the estimated cost of $3,000,000 to remediate the
Property, and the estimated number of rounds fired at the Gun Range over its lifetime
of 25,000,000 rounds, the estimated cost of cleanup is $0.12 per round. Multiplying
this figure by the estimated 47,895 rounds fired by the employees of the Department
of Fish & Game that used the Range amounts to the settlement payment of $5,747.40;
WHEREAS, the Settling Parties anticipate that the Court (as defined below in
Section I) will review and approve this Settlement Agreement and enter the Order
and Judgment attached as Exhibit B, or a substantially similar Order and Judgment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and in
exchange for the promises contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Settling Parties agree as follows:
I. JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the Orange County Superior Court (Hon.
Ronald L. Bauer presiding) (the "Court") has jurisdiction over the Settling Parties
and jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Action. For purposes of the Court's
review, approval and enforcement of this Settlement Agreement, the Settling Parties
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waive any and all objections and defenses they may have to the jurisdiction of the
Court, to venue, or to service of process.
II. PARTIES BOUND
This Settlement Agreement applies to, is binding upon, and inures to the
benefit of each of the Settling Parties, and each of their agents, officers, directors,
elected officials, appointed officials, administrators, representatives, predecessors,
successors, and assigns. Each Settling Party has indicated its acceptance and
approval of the terms and conditions hereof by having a duly authorized
representative execute this document below.
III. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
As used in this Settlement Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substances"
includes all substances defined as hazardous substances under Section 25316 of the
California Health & Safety Code. Further, because Section 25316 incorporates by
reference the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), 42
U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., all waste defined as hazardous waste under RCRA, as
heretofore or hereafter amended, is included in the definition of Hazardous
Substances.
IV. SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
A. Amounts. Subject to and consistent with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement, the Settling Defendant shall pay Five Thousand Seven Hundred
Forty -Seven Dollars and Forty Cents ($5,747.40) to the City of Huntington Beach.
Exhibit A to this Agreement allocates this payment of $5,747.40 to the Department of
Fish & Game.
B. Payment. The Settling Defendant shall deliver its settlement payment
to counsel for the Plaintiff at counsel's address listed in Section XI Subsection G
(Notice), within 1) fifty (50) business days after both of the following has occurred:
Plaintiff and the Settling Defendant have signed this Agreement and Plaintiff's initial
motion or application for approval of this Agreement and entry of the Order is heard,
or 2) ten (10) business days after this Agreement is so executed and a dismissal with
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prejudice has been entered in favor of the Settling Defendant, whether by Court
Order or Plaintiff's voluntary dismissal with prejudice, whichever occurs first.
Payment shall be in the form of a check made payable to "City of Huntington
Beach."
V. DISMISSAL AND RELEASE
A. Dismissal of the Entire Action. The Settling Parties hereby agree
that the City shall use its best efforts to cause the dismissal with prejudice of the
entire Action against the Settling Defendant, including without limitation, seeking the
Court's approval of the Agreement and dismissal with prejudice (in the form of the
contemplated Order) of any and all claims under federal, state and other law asserted
against each other in the Action, or which could have been asserted in the Action
based on the facts alleged, including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of
costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in
connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. This dismissal shall
include, without limitation, all claims asserted, or which could have been asserted, by
the Settling Defendant against each other party in the Action for which there is a
comparable dismissal of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant.
B. Dismissal of the Action As To State. The City agrees that in the
event it is unsuccessful in obtaining Court approval of the Settlement Agreement
through entry of the Order or, if submitted, modified Order, the City shall file a
voluntary dismissal with prejudice of the Action as to the Settling Defendant, within
fifteen (15) business days of the denial of the Order or, if submitted, within five (5)
business days of the denial of the modified Order, and thereafter shall defend and
indemnify the dismissed Settling Defendant as provided in Section VII.
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C. Release. Save and except for claims arising from alleged breaches of
this Section and Sections X, XIA and XIB of this Settlement Agreement, or fraud in
the declaration referred to at Section VIA, and except for claims expressly or
preserved in this Settlement Agreement, the Parties hereby release each other (and
each of their agents, officers, directors, elected officials, appointed officials,
administrators, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, and the City
further releases the Settling Defendant's insurers) from any and all claims, demands,
actions, and causes of action arising from or relating to Hazardous Substances at, on,
under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims, costs, demands,
damages, actions, attorneys' fees, causes of action and/or rights arise from, or are
directly or indirectly related to, connected with, or caused by the incidents and
alleged contamination which gives rise to the Action and any alleged Hazardous
Substances at, on, under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims,
demands, actions, and causes of action are asserted and/or could have been asserted
in the Action, are presently known or unknown, or are presently suspected or
unsuspected. Nothing in this provision is intended to change or affect existing law
concerning claims or actions for fraud against or involving a public entity or a public
employee and shall not be construed as such.
This release of claims includes, without limitation, a release of claims by the
Settling Defendant against each other party to the Action and to the Related Action
for which there is a comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling
Defendant.
D. No Release of Non -Settling Parties by the City and the Settling
Defendant. It is expressly agreed that the City's release provided herein to the
Settling Defendant does not and shall not extend to or benefit any person or entity
that is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement. All claims against non -
signatories, whether asserted in the Action or not, are expressly preserved.
City expressly reserves its rights to bring or continue any action against any
person or entity that is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement to recover costs,
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damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the City in connection with the Property or
the Action.
E. Assignment to the City of Settling Defendant's Claims Against Non -
Settling Parties. It is expressly agreed that the Settling Defendant's release provided
at Section V.C. as to each other party to the Action and to the Related Action for
which there is a comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling
Defendant, does not and shall not extend to or benefit any other person or entity. All
Settling Defendant's claims against any non -settling person or entity, whether a party
in the Action, Related Action, or otherwise, and whether asserted in the Action or
not, are expressly preserved. In consideration of the City's release of its claims
against Settling Defendant, the Settling Defendant transfers and assigns to the City all
of the Settling Defendant's right, title and interest in and to any cause of action it may
have against any non -settling person or entity, including but not limited to, the POA,
to recover costs, damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the Settling Defendant in
connection with the Property or the Gun Range. The City may bring such claims
against any non -settling person or entity, including but not limited to, the POA, as
both a cross -complaint and an affirmative defense in connection with any action in
which the City is defending and indemnifying the Settling Defendant pursuant to
Section VII, or the City may bring such claim in a separate action or proceeding.
VI. COURT APPROVAL AND PROTECTION AGAINST CLAIMS
A. Good Faith Compromise. Based upon the previously made
disclosure of the Settling Defendant, including any Declarations provided by
employees of the Settling Defendant who reviewed documents most readily available
concerning shooting ranges used by its employees for firearms training between 1971
and 1997, the Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the payments and other
undertakings pursuant to this Agreement represent a good faith compromise of
disputed claims and that the compromise (1) represents a fair, reasonable, and
equitable resolution of their respective claims arising out of the release of Hazardous
Substances at the Property and (2) also benefits the public interest by ending the
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litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing funds to support
the cleanup of the Property.
With regard to any claims for costs, damages, or other relief asserted, or which
could have been asserted, against the Settling Defendant by any person or entity that
is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement on account of the release(s) of
Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the Property, the Settling Parties agree that
upon approval of this Settlement Agreement by the Court, the Settling Defendant is
entitled to the full benefit of any and all applicable provisions of federal and state
law, whether statutory, common law, decisional, or otherwise, including but not
limited to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6, extinguishing
or limiting Settling Defendant's alleged liability to persons or entities that are not
signatories to this Settlement Agreement.
The Settling Parties further agree that claims for relief arising from the alleged
disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the
Property, and the claims made in the Action are matters addressed in this Settlement
Agreement. The Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the dismissal of claims
as described in Section V and elsewhere in this Settlement Agreement, and the
protection from contribution and indemnity claims under all applicable state and
federal laws and authorities, including without limitation contribution and indemnity
claims, are integral and non -divisible aspects of this Settlement Agreement and as
such are necessary and material terms in the Order. Hence, the City is required to
seek entry by the Court of the Order approving this Settlement Agreement
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B as a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Settling Defendant under Section IV of this Settlement Agreement.
Accordingly, as promptly as reasonably practicable after this Settlement
Agreement has been executed, the City shall undertake, and the Settling Defendant
through their respective counsel shall join in, a mutually acceptable joint motion or
other appropriate legal proceeding(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to secure the
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Court's approval of the Settlement Agreement, the contribution protection
contemplated herein, and the dismissal of claims contemplated herein.
B. Revised Application If Court Denies Motion. If for any reason the
Courf declines to approve the terms of this Settlement Agreement through entry of
the Order, the City shall seek direction and clarification from the Court concerning
those aspects of the motion, application, Settlement Agreement, and/or Order it finds
unacceptable. The Settling Parties then shall meet and confer, telephonically or in
person within fifteen (15) business days following such denial, to discuss the items
found unacceptable by the Court and attempt in good faith to agree upon amendments
to the Settlement Agreement, the motion or application to approve the Settlement
Agreement, and/or the Order so as to make them acceptable to the Court. Promptly
thereafter, if agreement is reached and as provided herein, the City shall apply, alid
the Settling Defendant shall join in the application, for approval of the modified
Settlement Agreement and/or modified Order from the Court.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Parties to
modify or submit a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order if, after negotiating
in good faith, they are unable to agree on mutually acceptable modifications.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall be read, interpreted or construed as
requiring the Settling Party to modify the settlement amount, the City's commitment
to obtain an order of dismissal or voluntarily dismiss the action with prejudice, and
the City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant once a dismissal is
entered. If the Settling Parties are unable to agree to any modifications within said
fifteen (15) business day period, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of the complaint in the Action as to the Settling Defendant.
If the Settling Parties agree to modify either the motion, or application or
Settlement Agreement or Order, the City shall reapply for approval of the Settlement
Agreement and/or Order, as modified, from the Court within fifteen (15) business
days after the Settling Parties agree to the modifications. If the Court declines to
approve the motion or application or Settlement Agreement and/or Order, as
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modified, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice in favor of the
Settling Defendant within five (5) business days after the Court so declines.
If the modified Order and Judgment is reversed on appeal, this Settlement
Agreement does not require the Settling Party to pursue further modifications to the
Settlement Agreement and/or the Order and Judgment.
C. Dismissal With Prejudice If Court Denies Application. This
Settlement Agreement shall remain binding and in effect regardless of whether 1) the
Court declines to approve the terms of the Settlement Agreement and the Settling
Parties cannot, in good faith, agree on the terms of a modified motion, application,
Settlement Agreement and/or Order, or 2) if the Settling Parties do agree to modify
the motion, application, Settlement Agreement and/or Order and the Court declines to
approve the terms of a modified Settlement Agreement through entry of the Order or
Modified Order. In such an eventuality, the City shall dismiss with prejudice the
Action against the Settling Defendant and all claims for relief filed by City against
the Settling Defendant as provided in Section V B and Section VI B.
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
A. City's Duty To Defend And Indemnify. City agrees it shall, upon
entry of the Order contemplated in this Agreement or a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of City's complaint in the Action as to the Settling Defendant, whichever
occurs first, indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Settling Defendant
from any and all claims under federal, state or other law asserted against the Settling
Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding (whether in equity, law or
administrative), including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of costs
incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in connection with
preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the Hazardous Substances
at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at
the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and indemnification arising
from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property, and (4) attorneys' fees
and costs and expert costs and fees. Such claims shall include, but not be limited to,
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all claims asserted by or that may be asserted by the POA against the Settling
Defendant.
B. City Duty to Defend and Indemnify Conditional Upon Cooperation.
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
governed by Sections V, VII and VIII. The City shall defend the Settling Defendant
with counsel selected from the staff of the Office of the Huntington Beach City
Attorney or other competent counsel ("Designated Counsel"), to be chosen in the sole
discretion of the City. The Settling Defendant agrees that as long as the City shall
defend, indemnify and hold the Settling Defendant harmless, the same counsel that
represents, the City may represent the Settling Defendant in this Action or other
proceeding involving the Property and its alleged contamination.
By separately initialing here, the Settling Defendant waives atiy actual or
potential conflict of interest of its defense counsel, and acknowledges and agrees that
there has been a full disclosure and informed consent by all the Settling Parties within
the meaning of State Bar Rule 3-310(B), (C) and (E) permitting dual representation of
clients and further permitting the representation of interests adverse to a client or
former client with the informed written consent of the client.
Initials of Settling Defendant
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
conditional upon the Settling Defendant' reasonable cooperation with and assistance
to Designated Counsel as follows:
l . In any proceeding where the City has a duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VIIA, or the City is proceeding against
a person or entity pursuant to Section VE, the Settling Defendant shall
cooperate with Designated Counsel in said proceeding by testifying at trial and
submitting to a properly noticed oral deposition, providing declarations
necessary to the efficient prosecution of the proceeding and assisting in
responding to written discovery requests (Interrogatories, Requests for
Admission and Requests for Production) properly propounded upon the
Settling Defendant. The time expended by the Settling Defendant in
Page 15 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
I connection with attending the deposition or assisting Designated Counsel in
2 the preparation of necessary declarations or responses to written discovery
3 shall not be charged to Designated Counsel. To the extent allowed by law,
4 Designated Counsel shall seek reimbursement of Settling Defendant's internal
5 costs and expenses, including costs associated with attending oral depositions
6 and assisting with and providing responses to written discovery.
7 2. To the extent they exist, can be located and are in the Settling
8 Defendant's possession, the Settling Defendant shall cooperate with
9 Designated Counsel in locating and identifying documents that relate to
10 firearms training at the Property and provide hard copies to Designated
11 Counsel. To the extent allowed by law, Designated Counsel shall seek
12 reimbursement of the Settling Defendant's costs and expenses from the person
13 or entity, other than Designated Counsel, requesting the documents. To the
14 extent possible, the hard copies will be provided within 30 days after the
15 request is received from Designated Counsel.
16 3. Settling Defendant may be required, at its own cost, to expend funds in
performance of the obligations contained in this Subsection B, including but
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not limited to personnel time and expense, incidental transportation, parking,
18 telephone, fax and mailing costs, which funds shall not be reimbursed by the
19 City.
20 VIII. APPEAL
21 A. Reversal Of Order And Appeal. If the Court approves the
22 Settlement Agreement through entry of the contemplated Order (including a modified
23 version of the Order) and the Order is appealed, the Settling Defendant agrees to
24 cooperate with the City in defending the Order, at City's expense, through a final
25 judgment in the California Court of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
26 Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Defendant to meet
27 and confer to modify or submit to the Court a modified Settlement Agreement and/or
28 Order in the event of an appeal and/or reversal of the Order. If an appeal is
Page 16 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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undertaken or the Order is reversed on appeal, the City may dismiss with prejudice
the Action as against the Settling Defendant or, at its expense, pursue further court
review. The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant pursuant to
Section VII arises at the time of entry of the Order (including a modified version of
the Order) and continues thereafter, regardless of whether any appeal or challenge to
the Order is undertaken or whether the Order is reversed on appeal.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the Settling
Party's defense of the Order in the United States Supreme Court.
IX. EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT
This Settlement Agreement shall become binding and effective on the City and
the Settling Defendant upon the "Effective Date," which is the date by which both of
the following occur: (1) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the City, and
(2) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Settling Defendant.
X. CONTINUING JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the Court specifically retains jurisdiction over
the subject matter of this Action and the Settling Parties for the purpose of (1)
resolving any disputes arising under this Settlement Agreement, (2) issuing such
further orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to construe,
implement, modify, or enforce the terms of this Settlement Agreement, and/or the
Order, and (3) for granting any further relief as the interests of justice may require.
The Settling Parties further agree that if there is a dispute over the terms of this
Settlement Agreement or performance of the obligations arising from this Settlement
Agreement which the disputing Settling Parties cannot resolve among themselves,
such dispute shall be heard and resolved by the Court.
XI. ADDITIONAL TERMS
A. Representations of Non-Assignment/Transfer. The Settling Parties
represent and warrant that they have not assigned or otherwise transferred any claim,
cause of action, or other right which has been released in this Settlement Agreement.
Page 17 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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B. Assumption of Risk. It is understood and agreed by the Settling
Parties that the facts may hereafter turn out to be other than or different from the facts
now known to be or believed to be true. Subject to the fraud exception described in
Paragraph VC, the -Settling Parties expressly assume the risk of the facts turning out
to be different than they now so appear, and that this Settlement Agreement shall be,
in all respects, effective and not subject to termination, rescission, alteration, or other
such action by reason of any such difference in facts.
C. Waiver of Section 1542. There is a risk that, after the execution of
this Agreement, the Property will manifest new damages, the scope, location, and/or
character of which is unknown and/or not discovered at the time this Agreement is
signed. There is a risk that the damage of which City and/or its attorney are presently
aware may become more serious, or otherwise increase in magnitude (qualitatively
and/or quantatively). City shall, and hereby does, assume the above -mentioned risks.
The release set forth in this Settlement Agreement is expressly intended to cover and
include all future damages, defects, and discoveries, including all rights and causes of
action arising against the Settling Defendant. City is aware of the provisions of
California Civil Code section 1542, which provides:
"A general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known
by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement
with the debtor."
City hereby expressly waives the provisions of Civil Code section 1542 as to all
matters within the scope of the claims released by this Agreement. City hereby
warrants and guarantees that it has the full and complete authority to release all such
claims on behalf of itself, and its agents, representatives, heirs, assigns, and
successors in interest.
D. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed that this
Settlement Agreement is a compromise of disputed claims, and that the agreements
Page 18 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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made herein are not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the
Settling Defendant, and that the Settling Defendant denies liability and intends
merely to avoid continued litigation, and that this Settlement Agreement is entered
into solely by way of compromise and settlement.
E. Parties Bear Own Costs And Fees. The Settling Parties shall bear all
attorney's fees and costs arising from the actions of their own counsel in connection
with the Action, through the preparation and execution of this Settlement Agreement
and entry of a dismissal, whether by court order or voluntary dismissal with
prejudice, of the operative complaint in the Action and all claims for relief filed by
City against the Settling Defendant.
F. Notice. All notices and other communications, and payments,
pertaining to this Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
received when delivered personally, by overnight courier, or by facsimile to the
Settling Party or Settling Parties, as the case may be, at the following addresses (or
such other address for a Settling Party as shall be specified by that Settling Party in a
notice pursuant to this Section).
AS TO THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1557
With Copy To:
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street, P. O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1590
Page 19 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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AS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Justice ,
300 South Spring Street, 7 South
Los Angeles CA 90013
(213) 897-8644
Fax: (213) 897-2810
With Copy To:
David Adida, Deputy Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
300 S. Spring Street, 7 South
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Fax: (213) 897-2810
G. Cooperation. Each of the Settling Parties agrees to take such further
acts or execute any and all further documents that may be necessary or appropriate to
make this Settlement Agreement legally binding and to effectuate its purposes.
H. Settlement Agreement May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Settlement Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument; however, all such
counterparts shall comprise but one Settlement Agreement.
I. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the full
and entire agreement between the Settling Parties, and the Settling Parties
acknowledge that there is no other agreement, oral and/or written, between the
Settling Parties hereto relating to the Action.
J. Authority to Enter Agreement. Each person signing this Agreement
on behalf of one of the Settling Parties hereto acknowledges that he/she has the full
authority to bind said Party.
K. Final Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and
its reduction to final form is the result of good faith negotiations between the Parties,
and that the Settling Parties have had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with
Page 20 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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counsel. When signed, this Agreement is intended to be the final Agreement between
the Settling Parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
L. Interpretation of Agreement. This Agreement is made and entered
into in the State of California, and shall be interpreted, enforced, and governed by
and under the laws of the State of California. If it becomes necessary to interpret any
of the provisions of this Agreement, it shall be assumed that the Agreement was
jointly drafted by the Parties.
M. Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by
a writing signed by all Parties to the Agreement.
N. No Inducement. The Settling Parties warrant that no promise or
inducement has been made or offered by the Settling Parties other than those set forth
herein, and that this Settlement Agreement is not executed in reliance upon any
statement or representation of any such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The
Settling Parties further represent that they have been represented by legal counsel
during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated: e h. L 7 , 2006
"CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: PENELOPE CULBRETH-GRAFT
City Administrator
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
Page 21 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Dated: 2 Z 2 , 2006
Dated: , 2004�
CA IFORN A DEPARTMENT OF FISH
& GAME
Defendant
By Its Representative:
... "ii10I� Lek, OA
By: " ` ` `.1
DAVI ADIDA, Deputy County Counsel
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Page 22 of 22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT A
STATE AGENCY
-
ROUNDS
FIRED
MULTIPLIED
BY 12 CENTS
California Department of Fish & Game
_
4705
$51747.40
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0 1 ) C
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EXHIBIT B
JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648 _
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield(absurfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323 852-1000
Facsimile: 323 651-2577
E-mail: hgo dflam frandzel.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, CENTRAL DISTRICT
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COAST
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT,
CITY OF TUSTIN, CITY OF
STANTON AND DOES 1 TO 100,
Defendants.
CASE NO. 05CCO0118
[Case Assigned to Judge Ronald L.
Bauer, Dept. CX103]
[PROPOSED] ORDER AND
JUDGMENT
THE COURT HAS CONSIDERED THE FOREGOING Settlement
Agreement by and between Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and the
Department of Fish & Game of Defendant, the State of California (the "Settling
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Defendant"). Upon consideration of the Settlement Agreement and the Motion to
Approve the Settlement Agreement, the pleadings on file herein, and the arguments
of counsel, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, as follows:
1. The Motion to Approve the Settlement Agreement By and Between
Plaintiff City of Huntington Beach and the Department of Fish & Game of Defendant
State of California is granted in its entirety.
2. The Settlement Agreement previously filed with the Court in this Action
is approved and adopted as the Judgment of this Court resolving this Action as
between the City and the Settling Defendant. The Court finds and decrees that there
is no just reason for delay and accordingly directs the Clerk of the Court to enter this
Order and Judgment as the Judgment of this Court.
3. The Settlement Agreement is fair and reasonable, both procedurally and
substantively, and was and is made in good faith, pursuant to all applicable law,
including without limitation California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 877 and
877.6.
4. The Settlement Agreement is in the public interest in that it avoids
further expenditure of government funds on protracted litigation and makes funding
available to resolve alleged environmental contamination at 18211 Gothard Street,
Huntington Beach ("the Property") that is the subject of the action entitled City of
Huntington Beach v. State of California, et al, Orange County Superior Court, Case
No. 05CC00118 (the "Action").
5. Pursuant to all applicable law, including but not limited to California
Code Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6, the Settling Defendant is entitled to
protection from, and is protected from any and all claims under federal, state or other
law asserted against the Settling Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding
(whether in equity, law or administrative), including, without limitation, claims for
(1) the recovery of costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be
incurred in connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate
Hazardous Substances (as that term is defined in the Settlement Agreement) at the
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Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and indemnification arising from or
related to Hazardous Substances at the Property, and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and
expert costs and fees. Such claims shall also include, without limitation, all claims
asserted by or that may be asserted by Huntington Beach Police Officers Association,
or any parties to other proceedings (whether in equity, law or administrative) brought
against the Settling Defendant that arise from, relate to, or are connected with the
subject matter of the Action and the Property and its alleged contamination.
6. As set forth in the Settlement Agreement, all claims, cross -claims,
counterclaims, and/or third party claims asserted against the Settling Defendant by
any and all parties in this Action are hereby dismissed with prejudice. All claims
asserted against the City by the Settling Defendant, and all claims asserted by the
Settling Defendant against any other defendants that may have settled pursuant to a
comparable settlement agreement, are also hereby dismissed with prejudice.
7. All claims, cross -claims, counterclaims, or third party claims which have
been, or could have been, asserted by any person or entity against the Settling
Defendant in this Action, including all claims described at paragraph 5 above, are
hereby barred.
8. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over the Settling Parties and
jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Action for purposes of enforcing the
Settlement Agreement, and this Order and Judgment of Dismissal.
9. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Settling Party shall bear its
own litigation costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees. Upon entry of the Order
and Judgment of Dismissal, the City shall have the duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND JUDGMENT IS SO ENTERED.
Dated:
Orange County Superior Court Judge
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JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: (714) 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield - Surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323 852-1000
Facsimile: 323 651-2577
E-mail: hgo dflamAfrandzel.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, CENTRAL DISTRICT
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
o California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COAST
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT,
CITY OF TUSTIN, CITY OF
STANTON AND DOES 1 TO 100,
Defendants.
CASE NO. 05CC00118
(Case Assigned to Judge Ronald L.
Bauer, Dept. CX103]
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN PLAINTIFF CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND
DEFENDANT STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
[PROPOSED] ORDER AND
JUDGMENT
PRINTED ON
plead/gun range/settlement agreement/State
of CA
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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PRINTED ON
THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is entered into by and
between the Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and Defendant, State of
California (the "State" or the "Settling Defendant"). The City and Settling
Defendant shall be referred to collectively as the "Settling Parties," and sometimes
individually as a "Settling Party." No other person or entity is a party to this
Agreement.
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2005, Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach (the "City")
filed that certain lawsuit entitled City of Huntington Beach vs. State of California, et
al, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 05CCO0118 (the "Action") in which it
seeks contribution and other relief arising under the California Hazardous Substance
Account Act ("HSAA"), Calif. Health & Safety Code § 25300 et seq., and for related
tort causes of action, including nuisance and trespass;
WHEREAS, the Action concerns a parcel of land located at 18211 Gothard
Street in Huntington Beach, California (the "Property"). The City alleges that the
Property was leased from the City to the Huntington Beach Police Officer's
Association (the "POA") from 1968 to 1997. From 1971 through January 1997, the
POA operated and maintained a gun range on the Property (the "Gun Range"), which
is generally depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A;
WHEREAS, in a related action filed on November 25, 2001, in the United
States District Court for the Central District of California, entitled City of Huntington
Beach v. Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, et al., Case No. SACV 01-
1125 JVS (ANx), the City sued the POA for the cleanup of the Property due to its
contamination from twenty-five (25) years of use as the Gun Range ("Related
Action");
WHEREAS, the POA named the State as a third party defendant in the Related
Action. Later, on December 14, 2004, the City filed its Third Amended Complaint in
the Related Action, adding as Defendants various persons and entities that regularly
conducted firearms training at the Gun Range. However, previously, the State had
successfully moved to dismiss pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment of the United
plead/gun range/settlement agreement/State
of CA
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States Constitution. Consequently, the City filed this Action in State Court against
the State of California, the Coast Community College District, the City of Stanton
and the City of Tustin (collectively, "Defendants");
WHEREAS, the Defendants have generally denied the substantive claims and
allegations in the Action and further denied any use or significant use of the Property,
and contended that any use was an invited use;
WHEREAS, City alleges (reference to these allegations in this Agreement
shall not be construed as an adoption or admission by the Settling Defendant) as
follows:
1. During the POA's ownership and operation of the Gun Range, the POA
allowed thousands of peace officers from numerous law enforcement agencies
to discharge between 500,000 to 1,000,000 rounds of lead ammunition per year
at the Property. As part of its range maintenance program, the POA attempted
to mine and recover the numerous spent ammunition rounds, slugs, and/or shell
casings by sifting the soil on the Property and recovering spent bullets for
recycling. However, smaller fragments, shards, particles and dust that resulted
from bullets exploding at the range on impact were too small to be recovered
by the POA's mining and recovery procedures.
2. During the Defendants' use of the Property, hazardous substances and
materials were released on the Property, causing contamination of the soil and
groundwater. Further, as a proximate result of the Defendants' use of the
Property, the City has incurred and will continue to incur response costs
regarding the Property.
3. The City has incurred costs and damages in connection with the
investigation and cleanup of various hazardous substances (as defined in
Section III below, hereafter "Hazardous Substances") at the Property. The
City will incur additional costs and damages in the future on account of the
Hazardous Substances at the Property. Pursuant to the HSAA and various
common law theories, the City is entitled to recover its response costs and
Page 3 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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damages, and to obtain injunctive relief to compel Defendants to remediate the
Property.
4. Since the Gun Range was closed in January 1997, the City has been
engaged in an ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Property so that the public can
safely use it for park and recreational uses. Specifically, on or about December
8, 1988, the City received a lead contamination assessment from Americlean
Environmental Services, Inc., which describes pervasive lead contamination
throughout the Property. As a result of the contamination, the City was legally
compelled to take the necessary steps to remediate it and report the
contamination to the Orange County Health Care Agency ("OCHCA").
5. In December 2000, the City began drafting an environmental impact
report ("EIR") in order to determine the scope of contamination and evaluate
remedial alternatives and future reuse of the Property. In order to investigate
the scope of contamination and evaluate remedial alternatives, the City
conducted several environmental assessments of the Property, which confirm
that the soil at the Property is heavily contaminated with lead. The lead
contamination is classified as "Hazardous Substances" under HSAA.
6. As a result of the contamination, the environmental assessment, cleanup,
and remediation of the Property are being directed and overseen by OCHCA.
The City has obtained from OCHCA an approved Remedial Action Plan
("RAP")
7. The City conducted a Bench Scale Feasibility Study to further test and
investigate the Property to determine more accurately the remediation cost for
the Property. The study was completed in July 2003, and based on the most
recent estimates, the cost to remediate the Property is $2,100,000. This cost is
based upon excavating approximately 19,000 tons of soil, and achieving a
minimum cleanup standard of 750 parts per million ("ppm").
8. The City submitted the RAP to the California Department of Toxic
Substances Control ("DTSC"), who recommended that the City perform a
Page 4 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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health risk assessment to determine if the minimum cleanup standard should be
less than 750 ppm. The City is undertaking such a risk assessment. If as a
result of the risk assessment, a materially higher cleanup standard is imposed,
the volume of soil to be excavated could increase substantially, and the cleanup
cost could significantly and materially increase above and beyond the current
estimate.
9. In addition to the $2,100,000 estimate in the Feasibility Study, the cost
to date for regulatory approvals, including preparation of a draft EIR and RAP
is $175,000. The cost of the risk assessment analysis, which may cause
revision of the RAP, and the remaining regulatory approvals is estimated to be
$75,000. Taking into account contingencies, the estimated cost of remediation
is $3,000,000;
WHEREAS, the Settling Defendant maintains it was not liable for any claims
for relief asserted in the Action and alleges (reference to these allegations in this
Agreement shall not be construed as adoption or admission of these allegations by the
City) as follows:
1. The City owned and permitted the use of its Property as a Gun Range,
and failed to properly inspect and regulate its use to ensure the permitted
activity complied with all environmental laws.
2. The City's police department was the primary user of the Gun Range
throughout the period it was in operation and, thereby, was the primary
contributor to the alleged contamination.
3. Knowing that the Property would be used as a shooting range, the City
failed to properly regulate and restrict the use of non -lead free bullets.
4. The City invited and encouraged other city police departments to use the
Gun Range as part of joint training sessions conducted for the benefit of City's
police department, and thereby represented all such activities were lawfully
undertaken.
Page 5 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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5. With the City's knowledge and approval, the bullets used at the Gun
Range were supplied by and purchased from the POA, City's tenant.
6. The City financially benefited from operating peace officer firearms
courses at the Property where it directed course participants to use the Gun
Range and the bullets supplied by the POA, and thereby represented all such
activities were lawfully undertaken.
7. The City failed to properly maintain the Property to prevent the alleged
disposal release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous
substances.
8. The City has unreasonably delayed in remediating the Property, and
negligently inspected and tested the Property so as to cause the spread and
migration of the alleged contamination.
9. The sole cause of the alleged contamination of the Property was the
City's and the POA's actions and inactions.
10. As a user of the Gun Range, the Settling Defendant's activities on the
Property, if any, do not constitute the disposal or release or threatened release
of Hazardous Substances (as the latter term is defined in Section III below and
under the HSAA);
WHEREAS, prior to entering into this Settlement Agreement, there have been
various initial disclosures, supplemental initial disclosures, and responses to public
records requests. Based upon these disclosures, it has been estimated that employees
of the various departments of the State of California that used the Range fired a total
of 593,000 rounds over the lifetime of the Range, as set forth in Exhibit A-1, attached
hereto;
WHEREAS, the settlement terms as reflected in this Settlement Agreement
have been reached by the City of Huntington Beach and the State of California;
WHEREAS, without admitting any issues of fact or law, the Settling Parties
agree that the settlement memorialized in this Settlement Agreement reflects the
Settling Parties' shared desire to avoid the expense and risk inherent in continued
Page 6 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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litigation of the Action, and is a good faith effort to advance the public interest by
ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing
significant funds toward the cleanup of the Property;
WHEREAS, based upon the estimated cost of $3,000,000 to remediate the
Property, and the estimated number of rounds fired at the Gun Range over its lifetime
of 25,000,000 rounds, the estimated cost of cleanup is $0.12 per round. Multiplying
this figure by the estimated 593,000 rounds fired by the employees of the State of
California that used the Range amounts to the settlement payment of $71,200;
WHEREAS, the Settling Parties anticipate that the Court (as defined below in
Section I) will review and approve this Settlement Agreement and enter the Order
and Judgment attached as Exhibit B, or a substantially similar Order and Judgment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and in
exchange for the promises contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Settling Parties agree as follows:
I. JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the Orange County Superior Court (Hon.
Ronald L. Bauer presiding) (the "Court") has jurisdiction over the Settling Parties
and jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Action. For purposes of the Court's
review, approval and enforcement of this Settlement Agreement, the Settling Parties
waive any and all objections and defenses they may have to the jurisdiction of the
Court, to venue, or to service of process.
II. PARTIES BOUND
This Settlement Agreement applies to, is binding upon, and inures to the
benefit of each of the Settling Parties, and each of their agents, officers, directors,
elected officials, appointed officials, administrators, representatives, predecessors,
successors, and assigns. Each Settling Party has indicated its acceptance and
approval of the terms and conditions hereof by having a duly authorized
representative execute this document below.
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III. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
As used in this Settlement Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substances"
includes all substances defined as hazardous substances under Section 25316 of the
California Health & Safety Code. Further, because Section 25316 incorporates by
reference the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), 42
U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., all waste defined as hazardous waste under RCRA, as
heretofore or hereafter amended, is included in the definition of Hazardous
Substances.
IV. SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
A. Amounts. Subject to and consistent with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement, the Settling Defendant shall pay Seventy -One Thousand Two
Hundred Twenty Dollars ($71,220.00) to the City of Huntington Beach. Exhibit A-1
to this Agreement allocates this payment of $71,200 to each department of the State
of California whose employees used the Range.
B. Payment. The Settling Defendant shall deliver its settlement payment
to counsel for the Plaintiff at counsel's address listed in Section XI Subsection G
(Notice), within 1) fifty (50) business days after both of the following has occurred:
Plaintiff and the Settling Defendant have signed this Agreement and Plaintiff's initial
motion or application for approval of this Agreement and entry of the Order is heard,
or 2) ten (10) business days after this Agreement is so executed and a dismissal with
prejudice has been entered in favor of the Settling Defendant, whether by Court
Order or Plaintiff's voluntary dismissal with prejudice, whichever occurs first.
Payment shall be in the form of a check made payable to "City of Huntington
Beach."
V. DISMISSAL AND RELEASE
A. Dismissal of the Entire Action. The Settling Parties hereby agree
that the City shall use its best efforts to cause the dismissal with prejudice of the
entire Action against the Settling Defendant, including without limitation, seeking the
Court's approval of the Agreement and dismissal with prejudice (in the form of the
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contemplated Order) of any and all claims under federal, state and other law asserted
against each other in the Action, or which could have been asserted in the Action
based on the facts alleged, including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of
costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in
connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. This dismissal shall
include, without limitation, all claims asserted, or which could have been asserted, by
the Settling Defendant against each other party in the Action for which there is a
comparable dismissal of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant.
B. Dismissal of the Action As To State.
The City agrees that in the
event it is unsuccessful in obtaining Court approval of the Settlement Agreement
through entry of the Order or, if submitted, modified Order, the City shall file a
voluntary dismissal with prejudice of the Action as to the Settling Defendant, within
fifteen (15) business days of the denial of the Order or, if submitted, within five (5)
business days of the denial of the modified Order, and thereafter shall defend and
indemnify the dismissed Settling Defendant as provided in Section VII.
C. Release. Save and except for claims arising from alleged breaches of
this Section and Sections X, XIA and XIB of this Settlement Agreement, or fraud in
the declaration referred to at Section VIA, and except for claims expressly or
preserved in this Settlement Agreement, the Parties hereby release each other (and
each of their agents, officers, directors, elected officials, appointed officials,
administrators, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, and the City
further releases the Settling Defendant's insurers) from any and all claims, demands,
actions, and causes of action arising from or relating to Hazardous Substances at, on,
under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims, costs, demands,
damages, actions, attorneys' fees, causes of action and/or rights arise from, or are
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directly or indirectly related to, connected with, or caused by the incidents and
alleged contamination which gives rise to the Action and any alleged Hazardous
Substances at, on, under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims,
demands, actions, and causes of action are asserted and/or could have been asserted
in the Action, are presently known or unknown, or are presently suspected or
unsuspected. Nothing in this provision is intended to change or affect existing law
concerning claims or actions for fraud against or involving a public entity or a public
employee and shall not be construed as such.
This release of claims includes, without limitation, a release of claims by the
Settling Defendant against each other party to the Action and to the Related Action
for which there is a comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling
Defendant.
D. No Release of Non -Settling Parties by the City and the Settling
Defendant. It is expressly agreed that the City's release provided herein to the
Settling Defendant does not and shall not extend to or benefit any person or entity
that is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement. All claims against non -
signatories, whether asserted in the Action or not, are expressly preserved.
City expressly reserves its rights to bring or continue any action against any
person or entity that is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement to recover costs,
damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the City in connection with the Property or
the Action.
E. Assignment to the City of Settling Defendant's Claims Against Non -
Settling Parties. It is expressly agreed that the Settling Defendant's release provided
at Section V.C. as to each other party to the Action and to the Related Action for
which there is a comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling
Defendant, does not and shall not extend to or benefit any other person or entity. All
Settling Defendant's claims against any non -settling person or entity, whether a party
in the Action, Related Action, or otherwise, and whether asserted in the Action or
not, are expressly preserved. In consideration of the City's release of its claims
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against Settling Defendant, the Settling Defendant transfers and assigns to the City all
of the Settling Defendant's right, title and interest in and to any cause of action it may
have against any non -settling person or entity, including but not limited to, the POA,
to recover costs, damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the Settling Defendant in
connection with the Property or the Gun Range. The City may bring such claims
against any non -settling person or entity, including but not limited to, the POA, as
both a cross -complaint and an affirmative defense in connection with any action in
which the City is defending and indemnifying the Settling Defendant pursuant to
Section VII, or the City may bring such claim in a separate action or proceeding.
VI. COURT APPROVAL AND PROTECTION AGAINST CLAIMS
A. Good Faith Compromise. Based upon the previously made
disclosure of the Settling Defendant, including any Declarations provided by
employees of the Settling Defendant who reviewed documents most readily available
concerning shooting ranges used by its employees for firearms training between 1971
and 1997, the Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the payments and other
undertakings pursuant to this Agreement represent a good faith compromise of
disputed claims and that the compromise (1) represents a fair, reasonable, and
equitable resolution of their respective claims arising out of the release of Hazardous
Substances at the Property and (2) also benefits the public interest by ending the
litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing funds to support
the cleanup of the Property.
With regard to any claims for costs, damages, or other relief asserted, or which
could have been asserted, against the Settling Defendant by any person or entity that
is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement on account of the release(s) of
Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the Property, the Settling Parties agree that
upon approval of this Settlement Agreement by the Court, the Settling Defendant is
entitled to the full benefit of any and all applicable provisions of federal and state
law, whether statutory, common law, decisional, or otherwise, including but not
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limited to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6, extinguishing
or limiting Settling Defendant's alleged liability to persons or entities that are not
signatories to this Settlement Agreement.
The Settling Parties further agree that claims for relief arising from the alleged
disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the
Property, and the claims made in the Action are matters addressed in this Settlement
Agreement. The Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the dismissal of claims
as described in Section V and elsewhere in this Settlement Agreement, and the
protection from contribution and indemnity claims under all applicable state and
federal laws and authorities, including without limitation contribution and indemnity
claims, are integral and non -divisible aspects of this Settlement Agreement and as
such are necessary and material terms in the Order. Hence, the City is required to
seek entry by the Court of the Order approving this Settlement Agreement
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B as a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Settling Defendant under Section IV of this Settlement Agreement.
Accordingly, as promptly as reasonably practicable after this Settlement
Agreement has been executed, the City shall undertake, and the Settling Defendant
through their respective counsel shall join in, a mutually acceptable joint motion or
other appropriate legal proceeding(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to secure the
Court's approval of the Settlement Agreement, the contribution protection
contemplated herein, and the dismissal of claims contemplated herein.
B. Revised Application If Court Denies Motion. If for any reason the
Court declines to approve the terms of this Settlement Agreement through entry of
the Order, the City shall seek direction and clarification from the Court concerning
those aspects of the motion, application, Settlement Agreement, and/or Order it finds
unacceptable. The Settling Parties then shall meet and confer, telephonically or in
person within fifteen (15) business days following such denial, to discuss the items
found unacceptable by the Court and attempt in good faith to agree upon amendments
to the Settlement Agreement, the motion or application to approve the Settlement
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Agreement, and/or the Order so as to make them acceptable to the Court. Promptly
thereafter, if agreement is reached and as provided herein, the City shall apply, and
the Settling Defendant shall join in the application, for approval of the modified
Settlement Agreement and/or modified Order from the Court.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Parties to
modify or submit a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order if, after negotiating
in good faith, they are unable to agree on mutually acceptable modifications.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall be read, interpreted or construed as
requiring the Settling Party to modify the settlement amount, the City's commitment
to obtain an order of dismissal or voluntarily dismiss the action with prejudice, and
the City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant once a dismissal is
entered. If the Settling Parties are unable to agree to any modifications within said
fifteen (15) business day period, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of the complaint in the Action as to the Settling Defendant.
If the Settling Parties agree to modify either the motion, or application or
Settlement Agreement or Order, the City shall reapply for approval of the Settlement
Agreement and/or Order, as modified, from the Court within fifteen (15) business
days after the Settling Parties agree to the modifications. If the Court declines to
approve the motion or application or Settlement Agreement and/or Order, as
modified, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice in favor of the
Settling Defendant within five (5) business days after the Court so declines.
If the modified Order and Judgment is reversed on appeal, this Settlement
Agreement does not require the Settling Party to pursue further modifications to the
Settlement Agreement and/or the Order and Judgment.
C. Dismissal With Prejudice If Court Denies Application. This
Settlement Agreement shall remain binding and in effect regardless of whether 1) the
Court declines to approve the terms of the Settlement Agreement and the Settling
Parties cannot, in good faith, agree on the terms of a modified motion, application,
Settlement Agreement and/or Order, or 2) if the Settling Parties do agree to modify
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the motion, application, Settlement Agreement and/or Order and the Court declines to
approve the terms of a modified Settlement Agreement through entry of the Order or
Modified Order. In such an eventuality, the City shall dismiss with prejudice the
Action against the Settling Defendant and all claims for relief filed by City against
the Settling Defendant as provided in Section V B and Section VI B.
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
A. City's Duty To Defend And Indemnify_. City agrees it shall, upon
entry of the Order contemplated in this Agreement or a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of City's complaint in the Action as to the Settling Defendant, whichever
occurs first, indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the Settling Defendant
from any and all claims under federal, state or other law asserted against the Settling
Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding (whether in equity, law or
administrative), including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of costs
incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in connection with
preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the Hazardous Substances
at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at
the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and indemnification arising
from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property, and (4) attorneys' fees
and costs and expert costs and fees. Such claims shall include, but not be limited to,
all claims asserted by or that may be asserted by the POA against the Settling
Defendant.
B. City Duty to Defend and Indemnify Conditional Upon Cooperation.
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
governed by Sections V, VII and VIII. The City shall defend the Settling Defendant
with counsel selected from the staff of the Office of the Huntington Beach City
Attorney or other competent counsel ("Designated Counsel"), to be chosen in the sole
discretion of the City. The Settling Defendant agrees that as long as the City shall
defend, indemnify and hold the Settling Defendant harmless, the same counsel that
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represents the City may represent the Settling Defendant in this Action or other
proceeding involving the Property and its alleged contamination.
By separately initialing here, the Settling Defendant waives any actual or
potential conflict of interest of its defense counsel, and acknowledges and agrees that
there has been a full disclosure and informed consent by all the Settling Parties within
the meaning of State Bar Rule 3-310(B), (C) and (E) permitting dual representation of
clients and further permitting the representation of interests adverse to a client or
former client with the informed written consent of the client.
Initials of Settling Defendant
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
conditional upon the Settling Defendant' reasonable cooperation with and assistance
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to Designated Counsel as follows:
l . In any proceeding where the City has a duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VIIA, or the City is proceeding against
a person or entity pursuant to Section VE, the Settling Defendant shall
cooperate with Designated Counsel in said proceeding by testifying at trial and
submitting to a properly noticed oral deposition, providing declarations
necessary to the efficient prosecution of the proceeding and assisting in
responding to written discovery requests (Interrogatories, Requests for
Admission and Requests for Production) properly propounded upon the
Settling Defendant. The time expended by the Settling Defendant in
connection with attending the deposition or assisting Designated Counsel in
the preparation of necessary declarations or responses to written discovery
shall not be charged to Designated Counsel. To the extent allowed by law,
Designated Counsel shall seek reimbursement of Settling Defendant's internal
costs and expenses, including costs associated with attending oral depositions
and assisting with and providing responses to written discovery.
2. To the extent they exist, can be located and are in the Settling
Defendant's possession, the Settling Defendant shall cooperate with
Designated Counsel in locating and identifying documents that relate to
firearms training at the Property and provide hard copies to Designated
Counsel. To the extent allowed by law, Designated Counsel shall seek
reimbursement of the Settling Defendant's costs and expenses from the person
or entity, other than Designated Counsel, requesting the documents. To the
extent possible, the hard copies will be provided within 30 days after the
request is received from Designated Counsel.
3. Settling Defendant may be required, at its own cost, to expend funds in
performance of the obligations contained in this Subsection B, including but
not limited to personnel time and expense, incidental transportation, parking,
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telephone, fax and mailing costs, which funds shall not be reimbursed by the
City.
VIII. APPEAL
A. Reversal Of Order And Appeal. If the Court approves the
Settlement Agreement through entry of the contemplated Order (including a modified
version of the Order) and the Order is appealed, the Settling Defendant agrees to
cooperate with the City in defending the Order, at City's expense, through a final
judgment in the California Court of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Defendant to meet
and confer to modify or submit to the Court a modified Settlement Agreement and/or
Order in the event of an appeal and/or reversal of the Order. If an appeal is
undertaken or the Order is reversed on appeal, the City may dismiss with prejudice
the Action as against the Settling Defendant or, at its expense, pursue further court
review. The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant pursuant to
Section VII arises at the time of entry of the Order (including a modified version of
the Order) and continues thereafter, regardless of whether any appeal or challenge to
the Order is undertaken or whether the Order is reversed on appeal.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the Settling
Party's defense of the Order in the United States Supreme Court.
IX. EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT
This Settlement Agreement shall become binding and effective on the City and
the Settling Defendant upon the "Effective Date," which is the date by which both of
the following occur: (1) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the City, and
(2) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Settling Defendant.
X. CONTINUING JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the Court specifically retains jurisdiction over
the subject matter of this Action and the Settling Parties for the purpose of (1)
resolving any disputes arising under this Settlement Agreement, (2) issuing such
further orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to construe,
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implement, modify, or enforce the terms of this Settlement Agreement, and/or the
Order, and (3) for granting any further relief as the interests of justice may require.
The Settling Parties further agree that if there is a dispute over the terms of this
Settlement Agreement or performance of the obligations arising from this Settlement
Agreement which the disputing Settling Parties cannot resolve among themselves,
such dispute shall be heard and resolved by the Court.
XI. ADDITIONAL TERMS
A. Representations of Non-Assignment/Transfer. The Settling Parties
represent and warrant that they have not assigned or otherwise transferred any claim,
cause of action, or other right which has been released in this Settlement Agreement.
The Settling Parties agree to hold each other harmless, and to indemnify each other
from and against any claim made by any person or entity who purports to be the
recipient of an assignment or other transfer of any claim, cause of action or right by
the Settling Parties in connection with the Action or the incident which gave rise to
the Action.
B. Assumption of Risk. It is understood and agreed by the Settling
Parties that the facts may hereafter turn out to be other than or different from the facts
now known to be or believed to be true. Subject to the fraud exception described in
Paragraph VC, the Settling Parties expressly assume the risk of the facts turning out
to be different than they now so appear, and that this Settlement Agreement shall be,
in all respects, effective and not subject to termination, rescission, alteration, or other
such action by reason of any such difference in facts.
C. Waiver of Section 1542. There is a risk that, after the execution of
this Agreement, the Property will manifest new damages, the scope, location, and/or
character of which is unknown and/or not discovered at the time this Agreement is
signed. There is a risk that the damage of which City and/or its attorney are presently
aware may become more serious, or otherwise increase in magnitude (qualitatively
and/or quantatively). City shall, and hereby does, assume the above -mentioned risks.
The release set forth in this Settlement Agreement is expressly intended to cover and
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include all future damages, defects, and discoveries, including all rights and causes of
action arising against the Settling Defendant. City is aware of the provisions of
California Civil Code section 1542, which provides:
"A general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known
by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement
with the debtor."
City hereby expressly waives the provisions of Civil Code section 1542 as to all
matters within the scope of the claims released by this Agreement. City hereby
warrants and guarantees that it has the full and complete authority to release all such
claims on behalf of itself, and its agents, representatives, heirs, assigns, and
successors in interest.
D. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed that this
Settlement Agreement is a compromise of disputed claims, and that the agreements
made herein are not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the
Settling Defendant, and that the Settling Defendant denies liability and intends
merely to avoid continued litigation, and that this Settlement Agreement is entered
into solely by way of compromise and settlement.
E. Parties Bear Own Costs And Fees. The Settling Parties shall bear all
attorney's fees and costs arising from the actions of their own counsel in connection
with the Action, through the preparation and execution of this Settlement Agreement
and entry of a dismissal, whether by court order or voluntary dismissal with
prejudice, of the operative complaint in the Action and all claims for relief filed by
City against the Settling Defendant.
F. Notice. All notices and other communications, and payments,
pertaining to this Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
received when delivered personally, by overnight courier, or by facsimile to the
Settling Party or Settling Parties, as the case may be, at the following addresses (or
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such other address for a Settling Party as shall be specified by that Settling Party in a
notice pursuant to this Section).
� AS TO THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1557
With Copy To:
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street, P. O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1590
AS TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Justice
300 South Spring Street, 7 South
Los Angeles CA 90013
(213) 897-8644
Fax: (213) 897-2810
With Copy To:
David Adida, Deputy Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
300 S. Spring Street, 7 South
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Fax: (213) 897-2810
G. Cooperation. Each of the Settling Parties agrees to take such further
acts or execute any and all further documents that may be necessary or appropriate to
make this Settlement Agreement legally binding and to effectuate its purposes.
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H. Settlement Agreement May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Settlement Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument; however, all such
counterparts shall comprise but one Settlement Agreement.
I. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the full
and entire agreement between the Settling Parties, and the Settling Parties
acknowledge that there is no other agreement, oral and/or written, between the
Settling Parties hereto relating to the Action.
J. Authority to Enter Agreement. Each person signing this Agreement
on behalf of one of the Settling Parties hereto acknowledges that he/she has the full
authority to bind said Party.
K. Final Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and
its reduction to final form is the result of good faith negotiations between the Parties,
and that the Settling Parties have had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with
counsel_ When signed, this Agreement is intended to be the final Agreement between
the Settling Parties regarding the subject matter hereof
L. Interpretation of Agreement. This Agreement is made and entered
into in the State of California, and shall be interpreted, enforced, and governed by
and under the laws of the State of California. If it becomes necessary to interpret any
of the provisions of this Agreement, it shall be assumed that the Agreement was
jointly drafted by the Parties.
M. Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by
a writing signed by all Parties to the Agreement.
N. No Inducement. The Settling Parties warrant that no promise or
inducement has been made or offered by the Settling Parties other than those set forth
herein, and that this Settlement Agreement is not executed in reliance upon any
statement or representation of any such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The
Settling Parties further represent that they have been represented by legal counsel
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during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated: March 92006
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October - , 2005
0�
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: DAVID SULLIVAN, Mayor
ATTEST:
By. -
JO FLNNN, City 1drk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
INCLUDING CALIFORNIA YOUTH
AUTHORITY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:
Page 22 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DEC.21.2005 3.08P V, DMIN CONf1DENTIAL�,�d
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during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated: October , 2005
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: ,
ATTEST:
By:
JOAN FLYNN, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By.
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
Dated: October , 2005
' V "j
Dated: =erJ , 2005
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
INCLUDING CALIFORNIA YOUTH
AUTHORITY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
HIGHWAY PA
Its Representative: (o Ll� lrNl / L
r�ow-4 S . "
Page 21 of 26SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DEC-13-2005 14:06
ATTY GENERAL DOJ
213 897 2810 P.07
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Dated: November 52005
Dated: November 2005
Dated: November ' , 2005
Dated: Noveinber , 2005
DE ARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION
Defendant
By Its Representative: wth colem, p•J.xsctor
Department cf parks =a Recreation
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATt TUNl VERSITY'
Defendant
By Its Representative:
DEPARTMENYOF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD
Defendant:
By Its Representative:
.CALIFOMA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Defendant
By Its Representative:
�.
Page 23 of 27SET LEMENT AGTtERMTNT f
10/29/2005 14:11
e-v U, J ac: LON
ti
56ja 5etj 59 C GENERALSU & Mask Mgmt. CS U5COUNSEL 62 885 2411
PAGE 02/02
p.2
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Dated: October .2005
Dated: October Zt 2005
Dated: October_, 2005
Dated: Octoberr , 2005
Dated: October-------, 2005
DEPARTMENT OF PASS AND
RECRLAIJON
Defendant
By Its Representative:
r �
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Defendant
BBy Its Repentative:
R
DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA .HORSE RACING BOARD
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT
Defendant
By Its Representative:
Page 22 of 26Sr• TLENIENT AGREENIENT
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Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: 4e+eber 4 , 2005
W"OJ060—
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:.,
yh,..�t.
CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT
Defendant
By Its Representative:
Page 22 of 26SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
Dated: October , 2005
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT
Defendant
By Its Representative:
Page 22 of 26SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Dated: November 312005
Dated: November , 2005
Dated: November , 2005
Dated: November , 2005
Dated: November 1 2005
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION
Defendant
By Its Representative:
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD
Defendant
By Its Representative:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Defendant
By Its Representative:
PauP �?. of ?ASETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DEC.21.2005 3:39PM
STATE LOTTERY LEGAL
a . 487---P .2
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Dated: Noy4mbcr ct/ , 2005
Dated: November , 2005
Dated: November 92005
CALIFORNIA LOTTERY
Defendant '
By Its Representative: s0,47�r_1c,,A zgjF e�
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
AND ITS CONSTITUENT BOARDS
Defendant
By Its Representative:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
DAVID ADIDA, Deputy Attorney General,
on behalf of all above State Agencies
Page 24 of 27SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
NOV-16-2005 09:08 LEGAL AFFAIRS P•002
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Dated: November , 2005
Dated: November I,-
2005
Dated: November 2005
CALIFORNIA LOTTERY
Defendant
By Its Representative:
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
AND ITS CONSTITUENT BOARDS
Defendant
By Its Representative
APP�OVEgJ JS�TO FORM:
By.x IVV t �1
DA ADIDA, Deputy Attorney General,
on ehalf of all above State Agencies
Page 23 of 26SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
TOTAL P.002
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PRINTED ON
EXHIBIT A-1
STATE AGENCY
ROUNDS
FIRED
MULTIPLIED
BY 12 CENTS
California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation, including California
Youth Authority
41,600
$41,992
California Highway Patrol
125,000
$15,000
Department of Parks and Recreation
212,000
$25,440
California State University
411,000
$41,920
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
60,000
$7,200
California Horse Racing Board
65,500
$780
California Department of Law Enforcement
65,000
$7,800
California Lottery
24,000
$200
Department of Consumer Affairs including
Dental and Medical Boards
18,400
$2,208
Total
593,500
$71,220
plead/gun range/settlement agreement/State
of CA
EXHIBIT A-1
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EXHIBIT B
JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: (714 374-1590
E-mail: sfield e,surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323 852-1000
Facsimile: 323) 651-2577
E-mail: h o dflam ,frandzel.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, CENTRAL DISTRICT
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
vs.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COAST
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT,
CITY OF TUSTIN, CITY OF
STANTON AND DOES 1 TO 100,
Defendants.
CASE NO. 05CCO0118
Lcase Assigned to Judge Ronald L.
13auer, Dept. CX103]
JPROPOSED] ORDER AND
UDGMENT
THE COURT HAS CONSIDERED THE FOREGOING Settlement
Agreement by and between Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and
Page 25 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Defendant, the State of California (the "Settling Defendant"). Upon consideration of
the Settlement Agreement and the Motion to Approve the Settlement Agreement, the
pleadings on file herein, and the arguments of counsel, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,
ADJUDGED AND DECREED, as follows:
1. The Motion to Approve the Settlement Agreement By and Between
Plaintiff City of Huntington Beach and Defendant State of California is granted in its
entirety.
2. The Settlement Agreement previously filed with the Court in this Action
is approved and adopted as the Judgment of this Court resolving this Action as
between the City and the Settling Defendant. The Court finds and decrees that there
is no just reason for delay and accordingly directs the Clerk of the Court to enter this
Order and Judgment as the Judgment of this Court.
3. The Settlement Agreement is fair and reasonable, both procedurally and
substantively, and was and is made in good faith, pursuant to all relevant federal and
state law including without limitation California Code of Civil Procedure Section 877
and 877.6.
4. The Settlement Agreement is in the public interest in that it avoids
further expenditure of government funds on protracted litigation and makes funding
available to resolve alleged environmental contamination at 18211 Gothard Street,
Huntington Beach ("the Property") that is the subject of the action entitled City of
Huntington Beach v. State of California, et al, Orange County Superior Court, Case
No. 05CC00118 (the "Action").
5. Pursuant to all applicable law, including but not limited to California
Code Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6, the Settling Defendant is entitled to
protection from, and is protected from any and all claims under federal, state or other
law asserted against the Settling Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding
(whether in equity, law or administrative), including, without limitation, claims for
(1) the recovery of costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be
incurred in connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate
Page 26 Of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Hazardous Substances (as that term is defined in the Settlement Agreement) at the
Property, (2) damages arising from or related to Hazardous Substances at the
Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and indemnification arising from or
related to Hazardous Substances at the Property, and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and
expert costs and fees. Such claims shall also include, without limitation, all claims
asserted by or that may be asserted by Huntington Beach Police Officers Association,
or any parties to other proceedings (whether in equity, law or administrative) brought
against the Settling Defendant that arise from, relate to, or are connected with the
subject matter of the Action and the Property and its alleged contamination.
6. As set forth in the Settlement Agreement, all claims, cross -claims,
counterclaims, and/or third party claims asserted against the Settling Defendant by
any and all parties in this Action are hereby dismissed with prejudice. All claims
asserted against the City by the Settling Defendant, and all claims asserted by the
Settling Defendant against any other defendants that may have settled pursuant to a
comparable settlement agreement, are also hereby dismissed with prejudice.
7. All claims, cross -claims, counterclaims, or third party claims which have
been, or could have been, asserted by any person or entity against the Settling
Defendant in this Action, including all claims described at paragraph 5 above, are
hereby barred.
8. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over the Settling Parties and
jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Action for purposes of enforcing the
Settlement Agreement, and this Order and Judgment of Dismissal.
9. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Settling Party shall bear its
own litigation costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees. Upon entry of the Order
and Judgment of Dismissal, the City shall have the duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND JUDGMENT IS SO ENTERED.
Dated:
Orange County Superior Court Judge
Page 27 of 27 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Inter -Department Communication
TO: JOAN FLYNN, City Clerk
FROM: JENNIFER McGRATH, City Attorney
DATE: February 28, 2006
SUBJECT: City of Huntington Beach v. HBPOA
Attached please find original, fully executed Settlement Agreements with the City of
Huntington Beach in the Gun Range litigation with the request you keep these Agreements
on file in your office.
(1) City of Bell
(2) City of Buena Park
j(3) Cities of Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Orange and Westminster
(4) City of Gardena
(5) City of Huntington Park
(6) City of La Palma
(7) City of Manhattan Beach
I' (8) City of Santa Ana
(9) Santa Ana Unified School District
(10) Silverado Sportsman's Club
(11) United States of America
(12) Westec Security, Inc., et al.
(13) Yavapai Firearms Academy Ltd.
JENNIFER McGRATH
City Attorney
Attachments
G:\PLEAD\Gun Range\CorrespondenceNemo to Clerk 1-3-06.doc
ATTACHMENT #1
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PRINTED ON
JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105 09)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: 714 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield@surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. (Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323 852-1000
Facsimile: 323� 651-2577
E-mail: hgo dflam@frandzel.com
Attorne s for Plaintiff
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, a
California mutual benefit corporation; et
al.,
Defendants.
And Related Claims and Third Party
Complaints.
CASE NO. SACV 01-1125 JVS (ANx)
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN PLAINTIFF CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND
DEFENDANT THE CITY OF BELL
[PROPOSED] ORDER AND
JUDGMENT
field/plead/gan range/settlement agreement
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is entered into by and
between the Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and Defendant, the City of
Bell (the "Settling Defendant"). The City and Settling Defendant shall be referred to
collectively as the "Settling Parties," and sometimes individually as a "Settling
Party." No other person or entity is a party to this Agreement.
WHEREAS, Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach (the "City") on November 25,
2001 filed that certain lawsuit entitled City of Huntington Beach vs. Huntington
Beach Police Officers Association, United States District Court, Case No. SACV 01-
1125 JVS (Anx) (the "Action") in which it seeks contribution and other relief arising
under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), 42 U.S.C. §
6901 et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the California
Hazardous Substance Account Act ("HSAA"), Calif. Health & Safety Code
§ 25300 et seq., as well as breach of contract, nuisance, trespass, waste, negligence,
contribution, and indemnity;
WHEREAS, the Action concerns a parcel of land located at 18211 Gothard
Street in Huntington Beach, California (the "Property"). The City alleges that the
Property was deeded by Defendant County of Orange to the City in 1963, and that
from 1968 to 1997, the Property was leased from the City by Defendant Huntington
Beach Police Officer's Association (the "POA") for the purpose of operating and
maintaining a gun range on the site (the "Gun Range"), which is generally depicted in
the map attached as Exhibit A;
City;
WHEREAS, the POA has answered and asserted counter -claims against the
WHEREAS, in July 2004, the POA applied to the Court and was granted leave
to join as Third Party Defendants various entities that previously used the Gun Range
for firearms training, including the Settling Defendant. Then on December 2, 2004,
the City was granted leave to directly sue these same entities and additional persons
as defendants. On December 14, 2004, the City filed its Third Amended Complaint
2 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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("TAC") adding as Defendants: United States of America; County of Orange; City of
Bell; City of Buena Park; City of Costa Mesa; City of Cypress; City of Fountain
Valley; City of Gardena; City of Garden Grove; City of Huntington Park; City of La
Palma; City of Manhattan Beach; City of Orange; City of Irvine; City of Santa Ana;
City of Westminster; Santa Ana Unified School District; Dean's Security
Professionals; Competitive Edge; Silverado Sportsman Club; Singleton International;
The Centurion Group; Yavapai Firearms Academy, Ltd.; and Westec Security, Inc.
(collectively, "Shooters");
WHEREAS, the Shooters have generally denied the substantive claims and
allegations in the TAC and in the related counter -claims, cross -claims, third party
claims, and further denied any use or significant use of the Property, and contended
that any use was an invited use;
WHEREAS, City alleges (reference to these allegations in this Agreement shall
not be construed as an adoption or admission by the Settling Defendant) as follows:
l . During the POA's ownership and operation of the Gun Range, the POA
allowed approximately 12,000 peace officers from no less than seventy (70)
law enforcement agencies to discharge an estimated one million rounds of lead
ammunition per year at the Property. As part of its range maintenance
program, the POA attempted to mine and recover the numerous spent
ammunition rounds, slugs, and/or shell casings by sifting the soil on the site
and recovering spent bullets for recycling, and that this screening procedure
recovered .38 caliber bullets, and perhaps smaller 9-mm bullets. However,
smaller fragments, shards, particles and dust that resulted from bullets
exploding at the range on impact were too small to be recovered by the POA's
mining and recovery procedures.
2. During the POA's tenancy and the POA's and Shooters' use of the
Property, hazardous substances and materials were released on the Property,
causing contamination of the soil and groundwater. Further, as a proximate
3 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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result of the POA's and Shooters' activities on the Property, the City has
incurred and will continue to incur response costs regarding the Property.
3. The City has incurred costs and damages in connection with the
investigation and cleanup of various hazardous substances (as defined in
Section III below, hereafter "Hazardous Substances") at the Property. The City
will incur additional costs and damages in the future on account of the
Hazardous Substances at the Property. The City is entitled to recover those
costs and damages pursuant to the combined operation of CERCLA, HSAA
and various common law theories. The City is entitled to injunctive relief to
compel Defendants to remediate the Property pursuant to RCRA and various
common law theories.
4. Since the POA vacated the Property in January 1997, the City has been
engaged in an ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Property so that the public can
safely use it for park and recreational uses. Specifically, on or about December
8, 1988, the City received a lead contamination assessment from Americlean
Environmental Services, Inc.; which describes pervasive lead contamination
throughout the Property. As a result of the contamination, the City was legally
compelled to take the necessary steps to remediate it and report the
contamination to the Orange County Health Care Agency ("OCHCA").
5. In December 2000, the City began drafting an environmental impact
report ("EIR") in order to determine the scope of contamination and evaluate
remedial alternatives and future reuse of the Property. In order to investigate
the scope of contamination and evaluate remedial alternatives, the City
conducted several environmental assessments of the Property, which confirm
that the soil at the Property is heavily contaminated with lead. The lead
contamination is classified as a "hazardous waste" under RCRA and as
"hazardous substances" under CERLCA and HSAA.
6. As a result of the contamination, the environmental assessment, cleanup,
and remediation of the Property are being directed and overseen by OCHCA.
4 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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The City has obtained from OCHCA an approved Remedial Action Plan
("RAP")
7. The City conducted a Bench Scale Feasibility Study to further test and
investigate the Property to determine more accurately the remediation cost for
the Property. The study was completed in July 2003, and based on the most
recent estimates, the cost to remediate the Property is $2,100,000. This cost is
based upon excavating approximately 19,000 tons of soil, and achieving a
minimum cleanup standard of 750 parts per million ("ppm"). If the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control ("DTSC") and/or Santa Ana Regional
Water Quality Control Board impose a more restrictive cleanup based upon a
health risk assessment or other criteria, the volume of soil to be excavated
could increase substantially, and the cleanup cost could significantly and
materially increase above and beyond the current estimate.
8. In addition to the $2,100,000 estimate in the Feasibility Study, the cost
to date for regulatory approvals, including preparation of a draft EIR and RAP
is $175,000. At the recommendation of DTSC, the City will prepare a risk
assessment analysis, which may cause revision of the RAP. The cost of
remaining regulatory approvals is estimated to be $75,000. Taking into
account contingencies, the estimated cost of remediation is $3,000,000;
WHEREAS, the Settling Defendant maintains it was not liable for any claims
for relief asserted in the TAC or the POA's First Amended Cross -Claims and Third -
Party Claims (the "FAC") and alleges (reference to these allegations in this
Agreement shall not be construed as adoption or admission of these allegations by the
City) as follows:
1. The City owned and permitted the use of its Property as a Gun Range,
and failed to properly inspect and regulate its use to ensure the permitted
activity complied with all environmental laws.
5 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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2. The City's police department was the primary user of the Gun Range
throughout the period it was in operation and, thereby, was the primary
contributor to the alleged contamination.
3. Knowing that the Property would be used as a shooting range, the City
failed to properly regulate and restrict the use of non -lead free bullets.
4. The City invited and encouraged other city police departments to use the
Gun Range as part of joint training sessions conducted for the benefit of City's
police department, and thereby represented all such activities were lawfully
undertaken.
5. With the City's knowledge and approval, the bullets used at the Gun
Range were supplied by and purchased from the POA, City's tenant.
6. The City financially benefited from operating peace officer firearms
courses at the Property where it directed course participants to use the Gun
Range and the bullets supplied by the POA, and thereby represented all such
activities were lawfully undertaken.
7. The City failed to properly maintain the Property to prevent the alleged
disposal release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous
substances.
8. The City has unreasonably delayed in remediating the Property, and
negligently inspected and tested the Property so as to cause the spread and
migration of the alleged contamination.
9. The sole cause of the alleged contamination of the Property was the
City's and the POA's actions and inactions.
10. The Settling Defendant is neither an owner, operator, nor arranger, as
those terms are defined under the environmental laws, including RCRA,
CERCLA, and HSAA, and its activities on the Property, if any, do not
constitute the disposal or release or threatened release of hazardous waste or
Hazardous Substances (as the latter term is defined in Section III below and
RCRA, CERCLA and HSAA);
6 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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WHEREAS, prior to entering into this Settlement Agreement, there have been
various initial disclosures, supplemental initial disclosures, and responses to public
records requests;
WHEREAS, the settlement terms as reflected in this Settlement Agreement
have been reached by the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Bell;
WHEREAS, without admitting any issues of fact or law, the Settling Parties
agree that the settlement memorialized in this Settlement Agreement reflects the
Settling Parties' shared desire to avoid the expense and risk inherent in continued
litigation of the Action, and is a good faith effort to advance the public interest by
ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing
significant funds toward the cleanup of the Property;
WHEREAS, the Settling Parties anticipate that the Court (as defined below in
Section I) will review and approve this Settlement Agreement and enter the Order
and Judgment attached as Exhibit B, or a substantially similar Order and Judgment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and in
exchange for the promises contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Settling Parties agree as follows:
I. JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the United States District Court for the Central
District of California (Hon. James V. Selna presiding) (the "Court") has jurisdiction
over the Settling Parties and jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Action
pursuant to CERCLA Section 113(b) (42 U.S.C. § 9613(b)), and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331
and 1367(a). For purposes of the Court's review, approval and enforcement of this
Settlement Agreement, the Settling Parties waive any and all objections and defenses
they may have to the jurisdiction of the Court, to venue in this District, or to service
of process.
% SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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II. PARTIES BOUND
This Settlement Agreement applies to, is binding upon, and inures to the
benefit of each of the Settling Parties, and each of their agents, officers, directors,
elected officials, appointed officials, administrators, representatives, predecessors,
successors, and assigns. Each Settling Party has indicated its acceptance and
approval of the terms and conditions hereof by having a duly authorized
representative execute this document below.
III. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
As used in this Settlement Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substances"
includes hazardous substances and hazardous waste as those terms are used in the
TAC and FAC and shall include, without limitation, all substances defined as
hazardous substances in CERCLA section 101(14), 42 U.S.C. § 9601(14) and in
Section 25316 of the California Health & Safety Code, and all waste defined as
hazardous waste in RCRA Section 103 (5) and (27), 42 U.S.C. § 6903(5) and (27), or
in other statutory or decisional environmental law, as heretofore or hereafter
amended.
IV. SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
A. Amounts. Subject to and consistent with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement, the Settling Defendant shall pay Fifteen Thousand Dollars
($15,000.00) to the City of Huntington Beach.
B. Payment. The Settling Defendant shall deliver its settlement payment
to counsel for the Plaintiff at counsel's address listed in Section XI Subsection G
(Notice), within 1) fifty (50) business days after both of the following has occurred:
Plaintiff and the Settling Defendant have signed this Agreement and Plaintiff's initial
motion or application for approval of this Agreement and entry of the Order is heard,
or 2) ten (10) business days after this Agreement is so executed and a dismissal with
prejudice has been entered in favor of the Settling Defendant, whether by Court Order
or Plaintiff's voluntary dismissal with prejudice, whichever occurs first. Payment
shall be in the form of a check made payable to "City of Huntington Beach."
8 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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V. DISMISSAL AND RELEASE
A. Dismissal of the Entire Action. The Settling Parties hereby agree that
the City shall use its best efforts to cause the dismissal with prejudice of the entire
Action against the Settling Defendant, including without limitation, seeking the
Court's approval of the Agreement and dismissal with prejudice (in the form of the
contemplated Order) of any and all claims under federal, state and other law asserted
against each other in the Action, or which could have been asserted in the Action
based on the facts alleged, including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of
costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in
connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. This dismissal shall
include, without limitation, all claims asserted, or which could have been asserted, by
the Settling Defendant against each other party in the Action for which there is a
comparable dismissal of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant.
B. Dismissal of the TAC.
The City agrees that in the event it is
unsuccessful in obtaining Court approval of the Settlement Agreement through entry
of the Order or, if submitted, modified Order, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal
with prejudice of the TAC in favor of the Settling Defendant, within fifteen (15)
business days of the denial of the Order or, if submitted, within five (5) business days
of the denial of the modified Order, and thereafter shall defend and indemnify the
dismissed Settling Defendant as provided in Section VII.
C. Release. Save and except for claims arising from alleged breaches of
this Section and Sections X, XIA and XIB of this Settlement Agreement, or fraud in
the declaration referred to at Section VIA, and except for claims expressly or
preserved in this Settlement Agreement, the Parties hereby release each other (and
each of their agents, officers, directors, elected officials, appointed officials,
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administrators, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns) from any and
all claims, demands, actions, and causes of action arising from or relating to
Hazardous Substances at, on, under, or emanating from the Property whether such
claims, costs, demands, damages, actions, attorneys' fees, causes of action and/or
rights arise from, or are directly or indirectly related to, connected with, or caused by
the incidents and alleged contamination which gives rise to the Action and any
alleged Hazardous Substances at, on, under, or emanating from the Property whether
such claims, demands, actions, and causes of action are asserted and/or could have
been asserted in the Action, are presently known or unknown, or are presently
suspected or unsuspected. Nothing in this provision is intended to change or affect
existing law concerning claims or actions for fraud against or involving a public
entity or a public employee and shall not be construed as such.
This release of claims includes, without limitation, a release of claims by the
Settling Defendant against each other party to the Action for which there is a
comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant.
D. No Release of Non -Settling Defendants by the City. It is expressly
agreed that the City's release provided herein to the Settling Defendant does not and
shall not extend to or benefit any person or entity that is not a signatory to this
Settlement Agreement. All claims against non -signatories, whether asserted in the
Action or not, are expressly preserved.
City expressly reserves its rights to bring or continue any action against any
person or entity that is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement to recover costs,
damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the City in connection with the Property or
the Action.
E. Assignment to the City of Settling Defendant's Claims Against Non -
Settling Parties. It is expressly agreed that the Settling Defendant's release provided
at Section V.C. as to each other party to the Action for which there is a comparable
release of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant, does not and shall not
extend to or benefit any other person or entity. All Settling Defendant's claims
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against any non -settling person or entity, whether a party in the Action, or otherwise,
and whether asserted in the Action or not, are expressly preserved. In consideration
of the City's release of its claims against Settling Defendant, the Settling Defendant
transfers and assigns to the City all of the Settling Defendant's right, title and interest
in and to any cause of action it may have against any non -settling person or entity,
including but not limited to, the POA, to recover costs, damages, and attorneys' fees
incurred by the Settling Defendant in connection with the Property or the Gun Range.
The City may bring such claims against any non -settling person or entity, including
but not limited to, the POA, as both a cross -complaint and an affirmative defense in
connection with any action in which the City is defending and indemnifying the
Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VII, or the City may bring such claim in a
separate action or proceeding.
VI. COURT APPROVAL AND PROTECTION AGAINST CLAIMS
A. Good Faith Compromise. Based upon the previously made
disclosure of the Settling Defendant, including any Declarations provided by
employees of the Settling Defendant who reviewed documents most readily available
concerning shooting ranges used by its police departments for firearms training
between 1971 and 1997, the Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the
payments and other undertakings pursuant to this Agreement represent a good faith
compromise of disputed claims and that the compromise (1) represents a fair,
reasonable, and equitable resolution of their respective claims arising out of the
release of Hazardous Substances at the Property and (2) also benefits the public
interest by ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while
providing funds to support the cleanup of the Property.
With regard to any claims for costs, damages, or other relief asserted, or which
could have been asserted, against the Settling Defendant by any person or entity that
is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement on account of the release(s) of
Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the Property, the Settling Parties agree that
upon approval of this Settlement Agreement by the Court, the Settling Defendant is
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entitled to the full benefit of any and all applicable provisions of federal and state
law, whether statutory, common law, decisional, or otherwise, including but not
limited to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6 and CERCLA
Section 113(f), 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f)(2), extinguishing or limiting Settling Defendant's
alleged liability to persons or entities that are not signatories to this Settlement
Agreement.
The Settling Parties further agree that claims for relief arising from the alleged
disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the
Property, and the claims made in the Action are matters addressed in this Settlement
Agreement. The Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the dismissal of claims
as described in Section V and elsewhere in this Settlement Agreement, and the
protection from contribution and indemnity claims under all applicable state and
federal laws and authorities, including without limitation contribution and indemnity
claims, are integral and non -divisible aspects of this Settlement Agreement and as
such are necessary and material terms in the Order. Hence, the City is required to
seek entry by the Court of the Order approving this Settlement Agreement
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B as a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Settling Defendant under Section IV of this Settlement Agreement.
Accordingly, as promptly as reasonably practicable after this Settlement
Agreement has been executed, the City shall undertake, and the Settling Defendant
through their respective counsel shall join in, a mutually acceptable joint motion or
other appropriate legal proceeding(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to secure the
Court's approval of the Settlement Agreement, the contribution protection
contemplated herein, and the dismissal of claims contemplated herein.
B. Revised Application If Court Denies Motion. If for any
reason the Court declines to approve the terms of this Settlement Agreement through
entry of the Order, the City shall seek direction and clarification from the Court
concerning those aspects of the motion, application, Settlement Agreement, and/or
Order it finds unacceptable. The Settling Parties then shall meet and confer,
12 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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telephonically or in person within fifteen (15) business days following such denial, to
discuss the items found unacceptable by the Court and attempt in good faith to agree
upon amendments to the Settlement Agreement, the motion or application to approve
the Settlement Agreement, and/or the Order so as to make them acceptable to the
Court. Promptly thereafter, if agreement is reached and as provided herein, the City
shall apply, and the Settling Defendant shall join in the application, for approval of
the modified Settlement Agreement and/or modified Order from the Court.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Parties to
modify or submit a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order if, after negotiating
in good faith, they are unable to agree on mutually acceptable modifications.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall be read, interpreted or construed as
requiring the Settling Party to modify the settlement amount, the City's commitment
to obtain an order of dismissal or voluntarily dismiss the action with prejudice, and
the City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant once a dismissal is
entered. If the Settling Parties are unable to agree to any modifications within said
fifteen (15) business day period, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of the TAC in favor of the Settling Defendant.
If the Settling Parties agree to modify either the motion, or application or
Settlement Agreement or Order, the City shall reapply for approval of the Settlement
Agreement and/or Order, as modified, from the Court within fifteen (15) business
days after the Settling Parties agree to the modifications. If the Court declines to
approve the motion or application or Settlement Agreement and/or Order, as
modified, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice in favor of the
Settling Defendant within five (5) business days after the Court so declines.
If the modified Order and Judgment is reversed on appeal, this Settlement
Agreement does not require the Settling Party to pursue further modifications to the
Settlement Agreement and/or the Order and Judgment. Further, nothing in this
Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the City's defense of the Order and
Judgment in the United States Supreme Court.
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C. Dismissal With Preiudice If Court Denies Application. This
Settlement Agreement shall remain binding and in effect regardless of whether 1) the
Court declines to approve the terms of the Settlement Agreement and the Settling
Parties cannot, in good faith, agree on the terms of a modified motion, application,
Settlement Agreement and/or Order, or 2) if the Settling Parties do agree to modify
the motion, application, Settlement Agreement and/or Order and the Court declines to
approve the terms of a modified Settlement Agreement through entry of the Order or
Modified Order. In such an eventuality, the City shall dismiss with prejudice the
Action against the Settling Defendant and all claims for relief filed by City against
the Settling Defendant as provided in Section V B and Section VI B.
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
A. City's Duty To Defend And Indemnify. City agrees it shall, upon
entry of the Order contemplated in this Agreement or a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of City's operating pleading (currently, the TAC in favor of the Settling
Defendant), whichever occurs first, indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the
Settling Defendant from any and all claims under federal, state or other law asserted
against the Settling Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding (whether in
equity, law or administrative), including without limitation, claims for (1) the
recovery of costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred
in connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. Such claims shall include,
but not be limited to, all claims asserted by or that may be asserted by the POA
against the Settling Defendant.
B. City Duty to Defend and Indemnify Conditional Upon Cooperation.
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
governed by Sections V, VII and VIII. The City shall defend the Settling Defendant
14 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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with counsel selected from the staff of the Office of the Huntington Beach City
Attorney or other competent counsel ("Designated Counsel"), to be chosen in the sole
discretion of the City. The Settling Defendant agrees that as long as the City shall
defend, indemnify and hold the Settling Defendant harmless, the same counsel that
represents the City may represent the Settling Defendant in this Action or other
proceeding involving the Property and its alleged contamination.
By separately initialing here, the Settling Defendant waives any actual or
potential conflict of interest of its defense counsel, and acknowledges and agrees that
there has been a full disclosure and informed consent by all the Settling Parties within
the meaning of State Bar Rule 3-310(B), (C) and (E) permitting dual representation of
clients and further permitting the representation of interests adverse to a Up nt or
former client with the informed written consent of the client.
Initials of Settling Defendant
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
conditional upon the Settling Defendant' reasonable cooperation with and assistance
to Designated Counsel as follows:
In any proceeding where the City has a duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VIIA, or the City is proceeding against
a person or entity pursuant to Section VE, the Settling Defendant shall
cooperate with Designated Counsel in said proceeding by testifying at trial and
submitting to a properly noticed oral deposition, providing declarations
necessary to the efficient prosecution of the proceeding and assisting in
responding to written discovery requests (Interrogatories, Requests for
Admission and Requests for Production) properly propounded upon the
Settling Defendant. The time expended by the Settling Defendant in
connection with attending the deposition or assisting Designated Counsel in the
preparation of necessary declarations or responses to written discovery shall
not be charged to Designated Counsel. To the extent allowed by law,
Designated Counsel shall seek reimbursement of Settling Defendant's internal
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costs and expenses, including costs associated with attending oral depositions
and assisting with and providing responses to written discovery.
2. To the extent they exist, can be located and are in the Settling
Defendant's possession, the Settling Defendant shall cooperate with
Designated Counsel in locating and identifying documents that relate to
firearms training at the Property and provide hard copies to Designated
Counsel. To the extent allowed by law, Designated Counsel shall seek
reimbursement of the Settling Defendant's costs and expenses from the person
or entity, other than Designated Counsel, requesting the documents. To the
extent possible, the hard copies will be provided within 30 days after the
request is received from Designated Counsel.
3. Settling Defendant may be required, at its own cost, to expend funds in
performance of the obligations contained in this Subsection B, including but
not limited to personnel time and expense, incidental transportation, parking,
telephone, fax and mailing costs, which funds shall not be reimbursed by the
City.
VIII. APPEAL
A. Reversal Of Order And Appeal. If the Court approves the
Settlement Agreement through entry of the contemplated Order (including a modified
version of the Order) and the Order is appealed, the Settling Defendant agrees to
cooperate with the City in defending the Order, at City's expense, through a final
judgment in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Nothing in this Settlement
Agreement shall require the Settling Defendant to meet and confer to modify or
submit to the Court a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order in the event of an
appeal and/or reversal of the Order. If an appeal is undertaken or the Order is
reversed on appeal, the City may dismiss with prejudice the TAC against the Settling
Defendant or, at its expense, pursue further court review. The City's duty to defend
and indemnify the Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VII arises at the time of
entry of the Order (including a modified version of the Order) and continues
16 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
I thereafter, regardless of whether any appeal or challenge to the Order is undertaken or
2 whether the Order is reversed on appeal.
3 Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the Settling
4 Party's defense of the Order in the United States Supreme Court.
5 IX. EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT
6 This Settlement Agreement shall become binding and effective on the City and
7 the Settling Defendant upon the "Effective Date," which is the date by which both of
8 the following occur: (1) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the City, and
9 (2) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Settling Defendant.
10 X. CONTINUING JURISDICTION
11 The Settling Parties agree that the Court specifically retains jurisdiction over
12 the subject matter of this Action and the Settling Parties for the purpose of (1)
13 resolving any disputes arising under this Settlement Agreement, (2) issuing such
14 further orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to construe,
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implement, modify, or enforce the terms of this Settlement Agreement, and/or the
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Order, and (3) for granting any further relief as the interests of justice may require.
The Settling Parties further agree that if there is a dispute over the terms of this
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Settlement Agreement or performance of the obligations arising from this Settlement
18 Agreement which the disputing Settling Parties cannot resolve among themselves,
19 such dispute shall be heard and resolved by the Court.
20 XI. ADDITIONAL TERMS
21 A. Representations of Non-Assignment/Transfer. The Settling Parties
22 represent and warrant that they have not assigned or otherwise transferred any claim,
23 cause of action, or other right which has been released in this Settlement Agreement.
24 The Settling Parties agree to hold each other harmless, and to indemnify each other
25 from and against any claim made by any person or entity who purports to be the
26 recipient of an assignment or other transfer of any claim, cause of action or right by
27 the Settling Parties in connection with the Action or the incident which gave rise to
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B. Assumption of Risk. It is understood and agreed by the Settling
Parties that the facts may hereafter turn out to be other than or different from the facts
now known to be or believed to be true. Subject to the fraud exception described in
Paragraph VC, the Settling Parties expressly assume the risk of the facts turning out
to be different than they now so appear, and that this Settlement Agreement shall be,
in all respects, effective and not subject to termination, rescission, alteration, or other
such action by reason of any such difference in facts.
C. Waiver of Section 1542. There is a risk that, after the execution of
this Agreement, the Property will manifest new damages, the scope, location, and/or
character of which is unknown and/or not discovered at the time this Agreement is
signed. There is a risk that the damage of which City and/or its attorney are presently
aware may become more serious, or otherwise increase in magnitude (qualitatively
and/or quantatively). City shall, and hereby does, assume the above -mentioned risks.
The release set forth in this Settlement Agreement is expressly intended to cover and
include all future damages, defects, and discoveries, including all rights and causes of
action arising against the Settling Defendant. City is aware of the provisions of
California Civil Code section 1542, which provides:
"A general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known
by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement
with the debtor."
City hereby expressly waives the provisions of Civil Code section 1542 as to all
matters within the scope of the claims released by this Agreement. City hereby
warrants and guarantees that it has the full and complete authority to release all such
claims on behalf of itself, and its agents, representatives, heirs, assigns, and
successors in interest.
D. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed that this
Settlement Agreement is a compromise of disputed claims, and that the agreements
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made herein are not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the
Settling Defendant, and that the Settling Defendant denies liability and intends
I merely to avoid continued litigation, and that this Settlement Agreement is entered
into solely by way of compromise and settlement.
E. Parties Bear Own Costs And Fees. The Settling Parties shall bear all
attorney's fees and costs arising from the actions of their own counsel in connection
with the Action, through the preparation and execution of this Settlement Agreement
and entry of a dismissal, whether by court order or voluntary dismissal with
prejudice, of the operative complaint (currently City's TAC) and all claims for relief
filed by City against the Settling Defendant.
F. Notice. All notices and other communications, and payments,
pertaining to this Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
received when delivered personally, by overnight courier, or by facsimile to the
Settling Party or Settling Parties, as the case may be, at the following addresses (or
such other address for a Settling Party as shall be specified by that Settling Party in a
notice pursuant to this Section).
AS TO THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1557
With Copy To:
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street, P. O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1590
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AS TO THE CITY OF BELL
Bell City Clerk
City of Bell
6330 Pine Ave
Bell, CA 90201-1291
With Copy To:
Thomas C. Sites, Esq.
Trina Saunders, Esq.
Gallagher & Gallagher
1925 Century Park East, Suite 950
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Facsimile: (310) 203-2610
G. Cooperation. Each of the Settling Parties agrees to take such further
acts or execute any and all further documents that may be necessary or appropriate to
make this Settlement Agreement legally binding and to effectuate its purposes.
H. Settlement Agreement May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Settlement Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument; however, all such
counterparts shall comprise but one Settlement Agreement.
I. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the full
and entire agreement between the Settling Parties, and the Settling Parties
acknowledge that there is no other agreement, oral and/or written, between the
Settling Parties hereto relating to the Action.
J. Authority to Enter Agreement. Each person signing this Agreement
on behalf of one of the Settling Parties hereto acknowledges that he/she has the full
authority to bind said Party.
K. Final Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and
its reduction to final form is the result of good faith negotiations between the Parties,
and that the Settling Parties have had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with
counsel. When signed, this Agreement is intended to be the final Agreement between
the Settling Parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
20 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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L. Interpretation of Agreement. This Agreement is made and entered into in the
State of California, and shall be interpreted, enforced, and governed by and under the laws of the
State of California. If it becomes necessary to interpret any of the provisions of this Agreement,
it shall be assumed that the Agreement was jointly drafted by the Parties.
M. Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only be a writing
signed by all Parties to the Agreement.
N. No Inducement. The Settling Parties warrant that no promise or inducement
has been made or offered by the Settling Parties other than those set forth herein, and that this
Settlement Agreement is not executed in reliance upon any statement or representation of any
such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The Settling Parties further represent that they
have been represented by legal counsel during the course of the negotiations leading to the
signing of this Settlement Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with
respect to the meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated: DecpmhPr 19 ,2005
CITY Ot HUN GTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: PENELOPE CULBRETH-GRAFT,
City Administrator
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
�r SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
Dated: , 2005
O BELL,
Defendant
By: ROBERT RIZZO,
Chief Administrative Officer
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APPROVED AS TO FO
L. SA
22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A
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JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105709)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: (714) 536-5555
Facsimile: (714) 374-1590
E-mail: sfield@surfcity-hb.org
HAL D. GOLDFLAM, ESQ. Bar No. 179689)
FRANDZEL ROBINS BLOOM & CSATO, L.C.
6500 Wilshire Boulevard, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4920
Telephone: 323) 852-1000
Facsimile: 323 651-2577
E-mail: hgoldflam@frandzel.com
Attorne s for Plaintiff
CITY OF HUNTIN TON BEACH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, a
California mutual benefit corporation;
et al.,
Defendants.
And Related Claims and Third Party
Complaints.
CASE NO. SACV 0 1- 1125 JVS (ANx)
[PROPOSED] ORDER AND
JUDGMENT
23 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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PRINTED ON
THE COURT HAS CONSIDERED THE FOREGOING Settlement
Agreement by and between Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and
Defendant and Third Party Defendant, the City of Bell (the "Settling Defendant").
Upon consideration of the Settlement Agreement and the Motion to Approve the
Settlement Agreement, the pleadings on file herein, and the arguments of counsel, IT
IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, as follows:
1. The Motion to Approve the Settlement Agreement By and Between
Plaintiff City of Huntington Beach and Defendant and Third Party Defendant City of
Bell is granted in its entirety.
2. The Settlement Agreement attached to and made a part of this Order and
Judgment is approved and adopted as the Judgment of this Court resolving this
Action as between the City and the Settling Defendant. The Court finds and decrees
that there is no just reason for delay and accordingly directs the Clerk of the Court to
enter this Order and Judgment as the Judgment of this Court.
3. The Settlement Agreement is fair and reasonable, both procedurally and
substantively, and was and is made in good faith, pursuant to all relevant federal and
state law including without limitation California Code of Civil Procedure Section 877
and 877.6, 42 U.S.C. § 9613, and federal common law.
4. The Settlement Agreement is in the public interest in that it avoids
further expenditure of government funds on protracted litigation and makes funding
available to resolve alleged environmental contamination at 18211 Gothard Street,
Huntington Beach ("the Property") that is the subject of the action entitled City of
Huntington Beach vs. Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, United States
District Court, Case No. SACV 01-1125 JVS (ANX) (the "Action").
5. Pursuant to federal and state law, including but not limited to California
Code Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6, 42 U.S.C. § 9613, and federal
common law, the Settling Defendant is entitled to protection from, and is protected
from any and all claims under federal, state or other law asserted against the Settling
Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding (whether in equity, law or
field/plead/gun range/settlement agreement
2 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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administrative), including, without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of costs
incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in connection with
preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate Hazardous Substances (as
that term is defined in the Settlement Agreement) at the Property, (2) damages arising
from or related to Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable
contribution and indemnification arising from or related to Hazardous Substances at
the Property, and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. Such claims
shall also include, without limitation, all claims asserted by or that may be asserted
by the Third Party Plaintiff, Huntington Beach Police Officers Association, and the
other non -settling parties to the Action, or future parties to this Action or parties to
other proceedings (whether in equity, law or administrative) brought against the
Settling Defendant that arise from, relate to, or are connected with the subject matter
of the Action and the Property and its alleged contamination.
6. As set forth in the Settlement Agreement, all claims, cross -claims,
counterclaims, and/or third party claims asserted against the Settling Defendant by
any and all parties in this Action are hereby dismissed with prejudice. All claims
asserted against the City by the Settling Defendant, and all claims asserted by the
Settling Defendant against any other defendants that may have settled pursuant to a
comparable settlement agreement, are also hereby dismissed with prejudice.
7. All claims, cross -claims, counterclaims, or third party claims which have
been, or could have been, asserted by any person or entity against the Settling
Defendant in this Action, including all claims described at paragraph 5 above, are
hereby barred.
8. The Court shall retain jurisdiction over the Settling Parties and
jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Action for purposes of enforcing the
Settlement Agreement, and this Order and Judgment of Dismissal.
9. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Settling Party shall bear its
own litigation costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees. Upon entry of the Order
3 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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and Judgment of Dismissal, the City shall have the duty to defend and indemnify the
Settling Defendant pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND JUDGMENT IS SO ENTERED.
Dated:
United States District Court Judge
4 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
ATTACHMENT #2
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PRINTED ON
JENNIFER MCGRATH, City Attorney (Bar No. CA 179917)
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney (Bar No. CA 105 09)
Box 190, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
Telephone: �714
714) 536-5555
Facsimile: 374-1590
JEFFER, MANGELS, BUTLER & MARMARO LLP
DAVID P. WAITE (Bar No. CA 129916)
HAL D. GOLDFLAM (Bar No. CA 179689)
1900 Avenue of the Stars, Seventh Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067-4308
Telephone: (310) 203-8080
Facsimile: (310) 203-0567
Attorne s for Plaintiff
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a
municipal corporation of the State of
California and charter city duly created
and existing under the laws of the State
of California,
Plaintiff,
VS.
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, a
California mutual benefit corporation;
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, et.
al); COUNTY OF ORANGE; CITY OF
BELL; CITY OF BUENA PARK; CITY
OF COSTA MESA; CITY OF
CYPRESS; CITY OF FOUNTAIN
VALLEY; CITY OF GARDENA; CITY
OF GARDEN GROVE; CITY OF
HUNTINGTON PARK; CITY OF LA
PALMA; CITY OF MANHATTAN
BEACH; CITY OF ORANGE; CITY OF
IRVINE; CITY OF SANTA ANA; CITY
OF WESTMINSTER; SANTA ANA
CASE NO. SACV 01-1125 JVS (ANx)
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BY
AND BETWEEN PLAINTIFF CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AND
DEFENDANT THE CITY OF BUENA
PARK
[PROPOSED] ORDER AND
JUDGMENT
CAPTION CONTINUES ON NEXT
PAGE
field/plead/gun range/settlement
agreement/buena park
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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PRINTED ON
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT;
DEAN' S SECURITY
PROFESSIONALS; COMPETITIVE
EDGE; SILVERADO SPORTSMAN
CLUB; SINGLETON
INTERNATIONAL; THE CENTURION
GROUP; YAVAPAI FIREARMS
ACADEMY, LTD.; and WESTEC
SECURITY, INC.
Defendants.
And Related Claims And Third Party
Complaints.
THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE is entered into by and
between the Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach ("City") and Defendant, the City of
Buena Park (the "Settling Defendant"). The City and Settling Defendant shall be
referred to collectively as the "Settling Parties," and sometimes individually as a
"Settling Party." No other person or entity is a party to this Agreement.
WHEREAS, Plaintiff, City of Huntington Beach (the "City") on November 25,
2001 filed that certain lawsuit entitled City of Huntington Beach vs. Huntington
Beach Police Officers Association, United States District Court, Case No. SACV 01-
1125 JVS (ANx) (the "Action") in which it seeks contribution and other relief arising
under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), 42 U.S.C. §
6901 et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the California
Hazardous Substance Account Act ("HSAA"), Calif. Health & Safety Code
§ 25300 et seq., as well as breach of contract, nuisance, trespass, waste, negligence,
contribution, and indemnity;
WHEREAS, the Action concerns a parcel of land located at 18211 Gothard
Street in Huntington Beach, California (the "Property"). The City alleges that the
Property was deeded by Defendant County of Orange to the City in 1963, and that
from 1968 to 1997, the Property was leased from the City by Defendant Huntington
field/plead/gun range/settlement
agreement/buena park
2 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Beach Police Officer's Association (the "POA") for the purpose of operating and
maintaining a gun range on the site (the "Gun Range"), which is generally depicted in
the map attached as Exhibit A;
City;
WHEREAS, the POA has answered and asserted counter -claims against the
WHEREAS, in July 2004, the POA applied to the Court and was granted leave
to join as Third Party Defendants various entities that previously used the Gun Range
for firearms training, including the Settling Defendant. Then on December 2, 2004,
the City was granted leave to directly sue these same entities and additional persons
as defendants. On December 14, 2004, the City filed its Third Amended Complaint
("TAC") adding as Defendants: United States of America; County of Orange; City
of Bell; City of Buena Park; City of Costa Mesa; City of Cypress; City of Fountain
Valley; City of Gardena; City of Garden Grove; City of Huntington Park; City of La
Palma; City of Manhattan Beach; City of Orange; City of Irvine; City of Santa Ana;
City of Westminster; Santa Ana Unified School District; Dean's Security
Professionals; Competitive Edge; Silverado Sportsman Club; Singleton International;
The Centurion Group; Yavapai Firearms Academy, Ltd.; and Westec Security, Inc.
(collectively, "Shooters");
WHEREAS, the Shooters have generally denied the substantive claims and
allegations in the TAC and in the related counter -claims, cross -claims, third party
claims, and further denied any use or significant use of the Property, and contended
that any use was an invited use;
WHEREAS, City alleges (reference to these allegations in this Agreement
shall not be construed as an adoption or admission by the Settling Defendant) as
follows:
1. During the POA's ownership and operation of the Gun Range, the
POA allowed approximately 12,000 peace officers from no less
than seventy (70) law enforcement agencies to discharge an
estimated one million rounds of lead ammunition per year at the
3 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Property. As part of its range maintenance program, the POA
attempted to mine and recover the numerous spent ammunition
rounds, slugs, and/or shell casings by sifting the soil on the site
and recovering spent bullets for recycling, and that this screening
procedure recovered .3 8 caliber bullets, and perhaps smaller 9-
mm bullets. However, smaller fragments, shards, particles and
dust that resulted from bullets exploding at the range on impact
were too small to be recovered by the POA's mining and recovery
procedures.
2. During the POA's tenancy and the POA's and Shooters' use of
the Property, hazardous substances and materials were released on
the Property, causing contamination of the soil and groundwater.
Further, as a proximate result of the POA's and Shooters'
activities on the Property, the City has incurred and will continue
to incur response costs regarding the Property.
3. The City has incurred costs and damages in connection with the
investigation and cleanup of various hazardous substances (as
defined in Section III below, hereafter "Hazardous Substances")
at the Property. The City will incur additional costs and damages
in the future on account of the Hazardous Substances at the
Property. The City is entitled to recover those costs and damages
pursuant to the combined operation of CERCLA, HSAA and
various common law theories. The City is entitled to injunctive
relief to compel Defendants to remediate the Property pursuant to
RCRA and various common law theories.
4. Since the POA vacated the Property in January 1997, the City has
been engaged in an ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Property so
that the public can safely use it for park and recreational uses.
Specifically, on or about December 8, 1988, the City received a
4 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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lead contamination assessment from Americlean Environmental
Services, Inc., which describes pervasive lead contamination
throughout the Property. As a result of the contamination, the
City was legally compelled to take the necessary steps to
remediate it and report the contamination to the Orange County
Health Care Agency (OCHCA).
5. In December 2000, the City began drafting an environmental
impact report ("EIR") in order to determine the scope of
contamination and evaluate remedial alternatives and future reuse
of the Property. In order to investigate the scope of contamination
and evaluate remedial alternatives, the City conducted several
environmental assessments of the Property, which confirm that
the soil at the Property is heavily contaminated with lead. The
lead contamination is classified as a "hazardous waste" under
RCRA and as "hazardous substances" under CERLCA and
HSAA.
6. As a result of the contamination, the environmental assessment,
cleanup, and remediation of the Property are being directed and
overseen by OCHCA. The City has obtained from OCHCA an
approved Remedial Action Plan ("RAP").
7. The City conducted a Bench Scale Feasibility Study to further test
and investigate the Property to determine more accurately the
remediation cost for the Property. The study was completed in
July 2003, and based on the most recent estimates, the cost to
remediate the Property is $2,100,000. This cost is based upon
excavating approximately 19,000 tons of soil, and achieving a
minimum cleanup standard of 750 parts per million ("ppm"). If
the California Department of Toxic Substances Control ("DTSC")
and/or Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board impose a
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more restrictive cleanup based upon a health risk assessment or
other criteria, the volume of soil to be excavated could increase
substantially, and the cleanup cost could significantly and
materially increase above and beyond the current estimate.
8. In addition to the $2,100,000 estimate in the Feasibility Study, the
cost to date for regulatory approvals, including preparation of a
draft EIR and RAP is $175,000. At the recommendation of
DTSC, the City will prepare a risk assessment analysis, which
may cause revision of the RAP. The cost of remaining regulatory
approvals is estimated to be $75,000. Taking into account
contingencies, the estimated cost of remediation is $3,000,000;
WHEREAS, the Settling Defendant maintains it was not liable for any claims
for relief asserted in the TAC or the POA's First Amended Cross -Claims and Third -
Party Claims (the "FAC") and alleges (reference to these allegations in this
Agreement shall not be construed as adoption or admission of these allegations by the
City) as follows:
1. The City owned and permitted the use of its Property as a Gun
Range, and failed to properly inspect and regulate its use to ensure
the permitted activity complied with all environmental laws.
2. The City's police department was the primary user of the Gun
Range throughout the period it was in operation and, thereby, was
the primary contributor to the alleged contamination.
3. Knowing that the Property would be used as a shooting range, the
City failed to properly regulate and restrict the use of non -lead
free bullets.
4. The City invited and encouraged other city police departments to
use the Gun Range as part of joint training sessions conducted for
the benefit of City's police department, and thereby represented
all such activities were lawfully undertaken.
6 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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5. With the City's knowledge and approval, the bullets used at the
Gun Range were supplied by and purchased from the POA, City's
tenant.
6. The City financially benefited from operating peace officer
firearms courses at the Property where it directed course
participants to use the Gun Range and the bullets supplied by the
POA, and thereby represented all such activities were lawfully
undertaken.
7. The City failed to properly maintain the Property to prevent the
alleged disposal release or threatened release of hazardous waste
or hazardous substances.
8. The City has unreasonably delayed in remediating the Property,
and negligently inspected and tested the Property so as to cause
the spread and migration of the alleged contamination.
9. The sole cause of the alleged contamination of the Property was
the City's and the POA's actions and inactions.
10. The Settling Defendant is neither an owner, operator, nor
arranger, as those terms are defined under the environmental laws,
including RCRA, CERCLA, and HSAA, and its activities on the
Property, if any, do not constitute the disposal or release or
threatened release of hazardous waste or Hazardous Substances
(as the latter term is defined in Section III below and RCRA,
CERCLA and HSAA);
WHEREAS, the Settling Defendant on February 7, 2005, joined in filing
Defendants' Joint Motion to Dismiss and Defendants' Joint Motion to Strike the
Plaintiff's TAC and Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Defendants' Joint Motion to
Strike the POA's FAC. The motions are currently set for hearing on September 12,
2005. The City and the POA have filed oppositions asserting they have alleged
viable claims;
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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WHEREAS, prior to entering into this Settlement Agreement, there have been
various initial disclosures, supplemental initial disclosures, and responses to public
records requests;
WHEREAS, the settlement terms as reflected in this Settlement Agreement
have been reached by the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Buena Park;
WHEREAS, without admitting any issues of fact or law, the Settling Parties
agree that the settlement memorialized in this Settlement Agreement reflects the
Settling Parties' shared desire to avoid the expense and risk inherent in continued
litigation of the Action, and is a good faith effort to advance the public interest by
ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while providing
significant funds toward the cleanup of the Property;
WHEREAS, the Settling Parties anticipate that the Court (as defined below in
Section I) will review and approve this Settlement Agreement and enter the Order
and Judgment attached as Exhibit B, or a substantially similar Order and Judgment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and in
exchange for the promises contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties
agree as follows:
I. JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the United States District Court for the Central
District of California (Hon. James V. Selna presiding) (the "Court") has jurisdiction
over the Settling Parties and jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Action
pursuant to CERCLA Section 113(b) (42 U.S.C. § 9613(b)), and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331
and 1367(a). For purposes of the Court's review, approval and enforcement of this
Settlement Agreement, the Settling Parties waive any and all objections and defenses
they may have to the jurisdiction of the Court, to venue in this District, or to service
of process.
8 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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II. PARTIES BOUND
This Settlement Agreement applies to, is binding upon, and inures to the
benefit of each of the Settling Parties, and each of their agents, officers, directors,
elected officials, appointed officials, administrators, representatives, predecessors,
successors, and assigns. Each Settling Party has indicated its acceptance and
approval of the terms and conditions hereof by having a duly authorized
representative execute this document below.
III. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
As used in this Settlement Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substances"
includes hazardous substances and hazardous waste as those terms are used in the
TAC and FAC and shall include, without limitation, all substances defined as
hazardous substances in CERCLA section 101(14), 42 U.S.C. § 9601(14) and in
Section 25316 of the California Health & Safety Code, and all waste defined as
hazardous waste in RCRA Section 103 (5) and (27), 42 U.S.C. § 6903(5) and (27), or
in other statutory or decisional environmental law, as heretofore or hereafter
amended.
IV. SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
A. Amounts. Subject to and consistent with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement, the Settling Defendant shall pay the City of Huntington Beach Eight
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00).
B. Payment. The Settling Defendant shall deliver its settlement payment
to counsel for the Plaintiff at counsel's address listed in Section XI Subsection G
(Notice), within 1) fifty (50) business days after both of the following has occurred:
Plaintiff and the Settling Defendant have signed this Agreement and Plaintiff's initial
motion or application for approval of this Agreement and entry of the Order is heard,
or 2) ten (10) business days after this Agreement is so executed and a dismissal with
prejudice has been entered in favor of the Settling Defendant, whether by Court
Order or Plaintiff's voluntary dismissal with prejudice, whichever occurs first.
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Payment shall be in the form of a check made payable to "City of Huntington
Beach."
V. DISMISSAL AND RELEASE
A. Dismissal of the Entire Action. The Settling Parties hereby agree
that the City shall use its best efforts to cause the dismissal with prejudice of the
entire Action against the Settling Defendant, including without limitation, seeking the
Court's approval of the Agreement and dismissal with prejudice (in the form of the
contemplated Order) of any and all claims under federal, state and other law asserted
against each other in the Action, or which could have been asserted in the Action
based on the facts alleged, including without limitation, claims for (1) the recovery of
costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred in
connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. This dismissal shall
include, without limitation, all claims asserted, or which could have been asserted, by
the Settling Defendant against each other party in the Action for which there is a
comparable dismissal of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant.
B. Dismissal of the TAC. The City agrees that in the event it is
unsuccessful in obtaining Court approval of the Settlement Agreement through entry
of the Order or, if submitted, modified Order, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal
with prejudice of the TAC in favor of the Settling Defendant, within fifteen (15)
business days of the denial of the Order or, if submitted, within five (5) business days
of the denial of the modified Order, and thereafter shall defend and indemnify the
dismissed Settling Defendant as provided in Section VII.
C. Release. Save and except for claims arising from alleged breaches of
this Section and Sections X, XIA and XIB of this Settlement Agreement, or fraud in
the declaration referred to at Section VIA, and except for claims expressly or
10 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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preserved in this Settlement Agreement, the Parties hereby release each other (and
each of their agents, officers, directors, elected officials, appointed officials,
administrators, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, and the City
further releases the Settling Defendant's insurers) from any and all claims, demands,
actions, and causes of action arising from or relating to Hazardous Substances at, on,
under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims, costs, demands,
damages, actions, attorneys' fees, causes of action and/or rights arise from, or are
directly or indirectly related to, connected with, or caused by the incidents and
alleged contamination which gives rise to the Action and any alleged Hazardous
Substances at, on, under, or emanating from the Property whether such claims,
demands, actions, and causes of action are asserted and/or could have been asserted
in the Action, are presently known or unknown, or are presently suspected or
unsuspected. Nothing in this provision is intended to change or affect existing law
concerning claims or actions for fraud against or involving a public entity or a public
employee and shall not be construed as such.
This release of claims includes, without limitation, a release of claims by the
Settling Defendant against each other party to the Action for which there is a
comparable release of that party's claims against the Settling Defendant. In addition,
with the exception of any non -settling party that appeals the Order (including a
modified version of the Order), upon entry of the Order or modified Order by the
Court, this release of claims shall include, without limitation, a release of and
covenant not to sue on claims by the Settling Defendant against any non -settling
party to the Action, including the POA.
D. No Release of Non -Settling Defendants by the City. It is expressly
agreed that the City's release provided herein to the Settling Defendant does not and
shall not extend to or benefit any person or entity that is not a signatory to this
Settlement Agreement. All claims against non -signatories, whether asserted in the
Action or not, are expressly preserved.
11 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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City (but not the Settling Defendant) expressly reserves its rights to bring or
continue any action against any person or entity that is not a signatory to this
Settlement Agreement to recover costs, damages, and attorneys' fees incurred by the
City in connection with the Property or the Action.
VI. COURT APPROVAL AND PROTECTION AGAINST CLAIMS
A. Good Faith Compromise. Based upon the previously made
disclosure of the Settling Defendant, including any Declarations provided by
employees of the Settling Defendant who reviewed documents most readily available
concerning shooting ranges used by its police departments for firearms training
between 1971 and 1997, the Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the
payments and other undertakings pursuant to this Agreement represent a good faith
compromise of disputed claims and that the compromise (1) represents a fair,
reasonable, and equitable resolution of their respective claims arising out of the
release of Hazardous Substances at the Property and (2) also benefits the public
interest by ending the litigation -related expenditure of government funds while
providing funds to support the cleanup of the Property.
With regard to any claims for costs, damages, or other relief asserted, or which
could have been asserted, against the Settling Defendant by any person or entity that
is not a signatory to this Settlement Agreement on account of the release(s) of
Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the Property, the Settling Parties agree that
upon approval of this Settlement Agreement by the Court, the Settling Defendant is
entitled to the full benefit of any and all applicable provisions of federal and state
law, whether statutory, common law, decisional, or otherwise, including but not
limited to California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 877 and 877.6 and CERCLA
Section 113(f), 42 U.S.C. § 9613(f)(2), extinguishing or limiting Settling Defendant's
alleged liability to persons or entities that are not signatories to this Settlement
Agreement.
The Settling Parties further agree that claims for relief arising from the alleged
disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous Substances on, under, or at the
12 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Property, and the claims made in the Action are matters addressed in this Settlement
Agreement. The Settling Parties acknowledge and agree that the dismissal of claims
as described in Section V and elsewhere in this Settlement Agreement, and the
protection from contribution and indemnity claims under all applicable state and
federal laws and authorities, including without limitation contribution and indemnity
claims, are integral and non -divisible aspects of this Settlement Agreement and as
such are necessary and material terms in the Order. Hence, the City is required to
seek entry by the Court of the Order approving this Settlement Agreement
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B as a condition precedent to the
obligations of the Settling Defendant under Section IV of this Settlement Agreement.
Accordingly, as promptly as reasonably practicable after this Settlement
Agreement has been executed, the City shall undertake, and the Settling Defendant
through their respective counsel shall join in, a mutually acceptable joint motion or
other appropriate legal proceeding(s) as may be necessary or appropriate to secure the
Court's approval of the Settlement Agreement, the contribution protection
contemplated herein, and the dismissal of claims contemplated herein.
B. Revised Application If Court Denies Motion. If for any
reason the Court declines to approve the terms of this Settlement Agreement through
entry of the Order, the City shall seek direction and clarification from the Court
concerning those aspects of the motion, application, Settlement Agreement, and/or
Order it finds unacceptable. The Settling Parties then shall meet and confer,
telephonically or in person within fifteen (15) business days following such denial, to
discuss the items found unacceptable by the Court and attempt in good faith to agree
upon amendments to the Settlement Agreement, the motion or application to approve
the Settlement Agreement, and/or the Order so as to make them acceptable to the
Court. Promptly thereafter, if agreement is reached and as provided herein, the City
shall apply, and the Settling Defendant shall join in the application, for approval of
the modified Settlement Agreement and/or modified Order from the Court.
13 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require the Settling Parties to
modify or submit a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order if, after negotiating
in good faith, they are unable to agree on mutually acceptable modifications.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall be read, interpreted or construed as
requiring the Settling Party to modify the settlement amount, the City's commitment
to obtain an order of dismissal or voluntarily dismiss the action with prejudice, and
the City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant once a dismissal is
entered. If the Settling Parties are unable to agree to any modifications within said
fifteen (15) business day period, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of the TAC in favor of the Settling Defendant.
If the Settling Parties agree to modify either the motion, or application or
Settlement Agreement or Order, the City shall reapply for approval of the Settlement
Agreement and/or Order, as modified, from the Court within fifteen (15) business
days after the Settling Parties agree to the modifications. If the Court declines to
approve the motion or application or Settlement Agreement and/or Order, as
modified, the City shall file a voluntary dismissal with prejudice in favor of the
Settling Defendant within five (5) business days after the Court so declines.
If the modified Order and Judgment is reversed on appeal, this Settlement
Agreement does not require the Settling Party to pursue further modifications to the
Settlement Agreement and/or the Order and Judgment. Further, nothing in this
Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the City's defense of the Order and
Judgment in the United States Supreme Court.
C. Dismissal With Prejudice If Court Denies Application. This
Settlement Agreement shall remain binding and in effect regardless of whether 1) the
Court declines to approve the terms of the Settlement Agreement and the Settling
Parties cannot, in good faith, agree on the terms of a modified motion, application,
Settlement Agreement and/or Order, or 2) if the Settling Parties do agree to modify
the motion, application, Settlement Agreement and/or Order and the Court declines to
approve the terms of a modified Settlement Agreement through entry of the Order or
14 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Modified Order. In such an eventuality, the City shall dismiss with prejudice the
Action against the Settling Defendant and all claims for relief filed by City against
the Settling Defendant as provided in Section V B and Section VI B.
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
A. City's Duty To Defend And Indemnify. City agrees it shall, upon
entry of the Order contemplated in this Agreement or a voluntary dismissal with
prejudice of City's operating pleading (currently the TAC) in favor of the Settling
Defendant, whichever occurs first, indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless the
Settling Defendant from any and all claims under federal, state or other law asserted
against the Settling Defendant in the Action, or in any other proceeding (whether in
equity, law or administrative), including without limitation, claims for (1) the
recovery of costs incurred including any interest thereon, and/or costs to be incurred
in connection with preparing or implementing measures to clean up or abate the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (2) damages arising from or related to the
Hazardous Substances at the Property, (3) statutory and equitable contribution and
indemnification arising from or related to the Hazardous Substances at the Property,
and (4) attorneys' fees and costs and expert costs and fees. Such claims shall include,
but not be limited to, all claims asserted by or that may be asserted by the POA and
the non -Settling Defendants against the Settling Defendant.
B. City Duty to Defend and Indemnify Conditional Upon Cooperation.
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
governed by Section VII and Sections V B and VIII. The City shall defend the
Settling Defendant with counsel selected from the staff of the Office of the
Huntington Beach City Attorney or other competent counsel ("Designated Counsel"),
to be chosen in the sole discretion of the City. The Settling Defendant agrees that as
long as the City shall defend, indemnify and hold the Settling Defendant harmless,
the same counsel that represents the City may represent the Settling Defendant in this
Action or other proceeding involving the Property and its alleged contamination. The
Settling Defendant waives any actual or potential conflict of interest of its defense
15 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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counsel, and acknowledges and agrees that there has been a full disclosure and
informed consent by all the Settling Parties within the meaning of State Bar Rule 3-
310(B), (C) and (E) permitting dual representation of clients and further permitting
the representation of interests adverse to a client or former client with the informed
written consent of the client.
The City's duty to defend and indemnify the Settling Defendant shall be
conditional upon the Settling Defendant' reasonable cooperation with and assistance
to Designated Counsel as follows:
1. The Settling Defendant shall cooperate with Designated Counsel
in the defense of the Action by testifying at trial and submitting to
a properly noticed oral deposition, providing declarations
necessary to the efficient prosecution of the Action and assisting
in responding to written discovery requests (Interrogatories,
Requests for Admission and Requests for Production) properly
propounded upon the Settling Defendant. The time expended by
the Settling Defendant in connection with attending the deposition
or assisting Designated Counsel in the preparation of necessary
declarations or responses to written discovery shall not be charged
to Designated Counsel. To the extent allowed by law, Designated
Counsel shall seek reimbursement of Settling Defendant's internal
costs and expenses, including costs associated with attending oral
depositions and assisting with and providing responses to written
discovery.
2. To the extent they exist, can be located and are in the Settling
Defendant's possession, the Settling Defendant shall cooperate
with Designated Counsel in locating and identifying documents
that relate to firearms training at the Property and provide hard
copies to Designated Counsel. To the extent allowed by law,
Designated Counsel shall seek reimbursement of the Settling
16 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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Defendant's costs and expenses from the person or entity, other
than Designated Counsel, requesting the documents. To the
extent possible, the hard copies will be provided within 30 days
after the request is received from Designated Counsel.
3. A Settling Defendant may be required to expend funds in
performance of the obligations contained in this Subsection B,
including but not limited to personnel time and expense,
incidental transportation, parking, telephone, fax and mailing
costs.
VIII. APPEAL
A. Reversal Of Order And Appeal. If the Court approves the
Settlement Agreement through entry of the contemplated Order (including a modified
version of the Order) and the Order is appealed, the Settling Defendant agrees to
cooperate with the City in defending the Order, at City's expense, through a final
judgment in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Nothing in this Settlement
Agreement shall require the Settling Defendant to meet and confer to modify or
submit to the Court a modified Settlement Agreement and/or Order in the event of an
appeal and/or reversal of the Order. If an appeal is undertaken or the Order is
reversed on appeal, the City may dismiss with prejudice the TAC against the Settling
Defendant or, at its expense, pursue further court review. The City's duty to defend
and indemnify the Settling Defendant pursuant to Section VII arises at the time of
entry of the Order (including a modified version of the Order) and continues
thereafter, regardless of whether any appeal or challenge to the Order is undertaken
or whether the Order is reversed on appeal.
Nothing in this Settlement Agreement shall require or preclude the Settling
Party's defense of the Order in the United States Supreme Court.
IX. EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT
This Settlement Agreement shall become binding and effective on the City and
the Settling Defendant upon the "Effective Date," which is the date by which both of
17 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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the following occur: (1) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the City, and
(2) the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Settling Defendant.
X. CONTINUING JURISDICTION
The Settling Parties agree that the Court specifically retains jurisdiction over
the subject matter of this Action and the Settling Parties for the purpose of (1)
resolving any disputes arising under this Settlement Agreement, (2) issuing such
further orders or directions as may be necessary or appropriate to construe,
implement, modify, or enforce the terms of this Settlement Agreement, and/or the
Order, and (3) for granting any further relief as the interests of justice may require.
The Settling Parties further agree that if there is a dispute over the terms of this
Settlement Agreement or performance of the obligations arising from this Settlement
Agreement which the disputing Settling Parties cannot resolve among themselves,
such dispute shall be heard and resolved by the Court.
XI. ADDITIONAL TERMS
A. Representations of Non-Assignment/Transfer. The Settling Parties
represent and warrant that they have not assigned or otherwise transferred any claim,
cause of action, or other right which has been released in this Settlement Agreement.
The Settling Parties agree to hold each other harmless, and to indemnify each other
from and against any claim made by any person or entity who purports to be the
recipient of an assignment or other transfer of any claim, cause of action or right by
the Settling Parties in connection with the Action or the incident which gave rise to
the Action.
B. Assumption of Risk. It is understood and agreed by the Settling
Parties that the facts may hereafter turn out to be other than or different from the facts
now known to be or believed to be true. Subject to the fraud exception described in
Paragraph VC, the Settling Parties expressly assume the risk of the facts turning out
to be different than they now so appear, and that this Settlement Agreement shall be,
in all respects, effective and not subject to termination, rescission, alteration, or other
such action by reason of any such difference in facts.
18 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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C. Waiver of Section 1542. There is a risk that, after the execution of
this Agreement, the Property will manifest new damages, the scope, location, and/or
character of which is unknown and/or not discovered at the time this Agreement is
signed. There is a risk that the damage of which City and/or its attorney are presently
aware may become more serious, or otherwise increase in magnitude (qualitatively
and/or quantatively). City shall, and hereby does, assume the above -mentioned risks.
The release set forth in this Settlement Agreement is expressly intended to cover and
include all future damages, defects, and discoveries, including all rights and causes of
action arising against the Settling Defendant. City is aware of the provisions of
California Civil Code section 1542, which provides:
"A general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known
by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement
with the debtor."
City hereby expressly waives the provisions of Civil Code section 1542 as to all
matters within the scope of the claims released by this Agreement. City hereby
warrants and guarantees that it has the full and complete authority to release all such
claims on behalf of itself, and its agents, representatives, heirs, assigns, and
successors in interest.
D. No Admission of Liability. It is understood and agreed that this
Settlement Agreement is a compromise of disputed claims, and that the agreements
made herein are not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the
Settling Defendant, and that the Settling Defendant denies liability and intends
merely to avoid continued litigation, and that this Settlement Agreement is entered
into solely by way of compromise and settlement.
E. Parties Bear Own Costs And Fees. The Settling Parties shall bear all
attorney's fees and costs arising from the actions of their own counsel in connection
with the Action, through the preparation and execution of this Settlement Agreement
19 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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and entry of a dismissal, whether by court order or voluntary dismissal with
prejudice, of the operative complaint (currently City's TAC) and all claims for relief
filed by City against the Settling Defendant.
F. Notice. All notices and other communications, and payments,
pertaining to this Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
received when delivered personally, by overnight courier, or by facsimile to the
Settling Party or Settling Parties, as the case may be, at the following addresses (or
such other address for a Settling Party as shall be specified by that Settling Party in a
notice pursuant to this Section).
AS TO THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach City Clerk
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1557
With Copy To:
Scott F. Field, Assistant City Attorney
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street, P. O. Box 190
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Fax: (714) 374-1590
AS TO THE CITY OF BUENA PARK
Buena Park City Clerk
City of Buena Park
6650 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, 90622-5009
Lisa Bond, Esq.
Richards, Watson & Gershon
355 S. Grand Avenue, 40th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Facsimile: (213) 626-0078
20 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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G. Cooperation. Each of the Settling Parties agrees to take such further
acts or execute any and all further documents that may be necessary or appropriate to
make this Settlement Agreement legally binding and to effectuate its purposes.
H. Settlement Agreement May be Executed in Counterparts.
This Settlement Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each
such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument; however, all such
counterparts shall comprise but one Settlement Agreement.
I. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the full
and entire agreement between the Settling Parties, and the Settling Parties
acknowledge that there is no other agreement, oral and/or written, between the
Settling Parties hereto relating to the Action.
J. Authority to Enter Agreement. Each person signing this Agreement
on behalf of one of the Settling Parties hereto acknowledges that he/she has the full
authority to bind said Party.
K. Final Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and
its reduction to final form is the result of good faith negotiations between the Parties,
and that the Settling Parties have had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with
counsel. When signed, this Agreement is intended to be the final Agreement between
the Settling Parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
L. Interpretation of Agreement. This Agreement is made and entered
into in the State of California, and shall be interpreted, enforced, and governed by
and under the laws of the State of California. If it becomes necessary to interpret any
of the provisions of this Agreement, it shall be assumed that the Agreement was
jointly drafted by the Parties.
M. Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by
a writing signed by all Parties to the Agreement.
N. No Inducement. The Settling Parties warrant that no promise or
inducement has been made or offered by the Settling Parties other than those set forth
herein, and that this Settlement Agreement is not executed in reliance upon any
21 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
CITY of BUENA PARK
ID:714-562-3559 SEP 06'05 16:35 No.001 P.02
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statement or representation of any such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The
Settling Parties further represent that they have been represented by legal counsel
during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
October
Dated: * 13 —2005
CITY O UNTINGTON BE CH,
Plaintiff
By: PENELOPE CULBRETH-GRAFT,
City Administrator
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
Dated: - — ' , 2005 dy%
CITY OF BUENA PA
Defendant
By:rT`f
Dated: , 2005
Received at RWG Law: 9/6/2005 5:01:30 PM
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
LISA BO , E
22 SKI"['LEMENT AGREEMENT I
�J
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statement or representation of any such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The
Settling Parties further represent that they have been represented by legal counsel
during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated: June , 2005
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: PENELOPE CULBRETH-GRAFT,
City Administrator
Dated: June , 2005
Dated: g , 2005
APPROVED AS TO FO,R�M�:,
By:_�/
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
CITY OF BUENA PARK
Defendant
By:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: L-k— a
LISA ON , ES .
22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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statement or representation of any such Settling Parties, or their representatives. The
Settling Parties further represent that they have been represented by legal counsel
during the course of the negotiations leading to the signing of this Settlement
Agreement, and that they have been advised by legal counsel with respect to the
meaning of this Settlement Agreement and its legal effect.
Dated:
Dated:
June ,2005
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH,
Plaintiff
By: PENELOPE CULBRETH-GRAFT,
City Administrator
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
SCOTT F. FIELD, Assistant City Attorney
2005 1%
CITY OF BUENA PA
Defendant
By: I)�Pu-t\j *-4A- &607-
Dated: 92005
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
LISA BOND, ESQ.
22 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A