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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0011_2_Settlement Agreement - Exhibit A Agreement#168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT This SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and effective this 10th day of January, 2017 (“Effective Date”), by and among the CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, a municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws and Constitution of the State of California (“City”), COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2003-2 OF THE CITY (“CFD No. 2003-2”), a community facilities district created in accordance with Section 53311 et. seq. of the Government Code of the State of California (the “Mello-Roos Act”), COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2016-2 OF THE CITY (“CFD No. 2016-2”), a community facilities district created in accordance with the Mello-Roos Act, and PARDEE HOMES, a California corporation (“Pardee”) (collectively, the “Parties,” and individually, a “Party”). RECITALS A.Pardee is the master developer of a master-planned community in the City commonly referred to as “Canyon Hills.” Canyon Hills is located within Improvement Areas A, B, C and D of CFD No. 2003-2. A portion of Canyon Hills referred to as “Phase 8,” which is included in Improvement Area B, is also included in CFD No. 2016-2. B.The Canyon Hills property is subject to a Development Agreement between the City and Pardee’s predecessor-in-interest, Pardee-Grossman/Cottonwood Canyon, recorded with the Riverside County Recorder on July 19, 1990 as Document No. 265632, as amended by a First Amendment to Development Agreement between the City, Pardee and Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc. recorded with the Riverside County Recorder on February 19, 2010 as Document No. 2010-0078164 (together, the “Development Agreement”). C.The City and Pardee entered into a Funding, Construction and Acquisition Agreement dated as of February 1, 2004 with respect to CFD No. 2003-2 (the “Funding Agreement”) and also entered into a Joint Community Facilities Agreement with Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (“EVMWD”) dated as of January 13, 2004 (the “JCFA”) with respect to the financing of “EVMWD Charges” and “Acquisition Facilities” (as defined in the JCFA) through CFD No. 2003-2. D.In 2016, the City, at Pardee’s request, completed proceedings to annex certain property into CFD No. 2003-2 that is adjacent to Canyon Hills, which property now is included in Improvement Area E of CFD No. 2003-2. E.On December 13, 2016, the City, at Pardee’s request, completed proceedings to establish CFD No. 2016-2 encompassing Phase 8 of Canyon Hills. F.The City has issued bonds of CFD No. 2003-2 (“CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds”) for Improvement Areas A, B, C and D. There is additional authorized indebtedness available for the issuance of up to $7,975,000 in principal amount of additional CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds for Improvement Area B and $3,000,000 in CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds for Improvement Area E. G.CFD No. 2016-2 is expected to have capacity for the issuance of up to $19,000,000 in bonds (the “CFD No. 2016-2 Bonds”), the proceeds of which will be available to #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 2 (i) repay the outstanding indebtedness of CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds and satisfy the CFD No. 2003-2 special tax obligation with respect to all property within Phase 8, and (ii) fund authorized facilities of CFD No. 2016-2. H.The Western Riverside Council of Governments (“WRCOG”) has commenced enforcement proceedings and investigations (the “Action”) against the City in connection with a dispute over the City’s collection of Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees (“TUMF”) related to development occurring within Canyon Hills. The Action has resulted in the City having to consent to that certain Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) in which City and WRCOG have engaged in a voluntary non-binding arbitration (the “Arbitration”). Pardee is neither a party to the MOA nor the Arbitration and is not bound by nor involved in either. The MOA, among other things, provides that at the conclusion of the non-binding arbitration, either the City or WRCOG may elect to file an action in Superior Court seeking a declaration, among other things, as to whether the development occurring within Canyon Hills is exempt from TUMF (the “Future Litigation”). Because Pardee continues to own property within Canyon Hills, Pardee is an interested party in such Future Litigation. I.WRCOG asserts that the City owes past due TUMF relating to building permits issued by the City in connection with Canyon Hills. The City and Pardee dispute WRCOG’s position and maintain that no such TUMF are due in connection with past or future building permits for Canyon Hills. In order to resolve various uncertainties related to the outcome of the Action, Arbitration and Future Litigation, the City and Pardee entered into a Cooperation Agreement as of October 1, 2015 (the “Cooperation Agreement”) which set forth the allocation of TUMF responsibility among the City and Pardee, depending on the outcome of the Action, Arbitration or Future Litigation and pursuant to which Pardee has been tendering payment of TUMF within Canyon Hills under protest. The City and Pardee also entered into a Joint Defense Agreement as of July 15, 2015 (the “Joint Defense Agreement”) relating to the Future Litigation. J.In order to assist the City with its settlement with WRCOG of the Action, Arbitration and Future Litigation and in settlement of Pardee’s claims against the City relating to TUMF, including, without limitation, the TUMF Recovery Litigation (as defined in the Cooperation Agreement) (the “Pardee Claims”) and any claims the City may have against Pardee relating to the payment of TUMF for Canyon Hills, the Action, Arbitration and Future Litigation (the “City Claims”), the City and Pardee now desire to enter into this Agreement. K.Without any admissions of any type or nature concerning the Pardee Claims and City Claims, the Parties hereby desire to resolve the dispute and to settle and compromise the Pardee Claims and City Claims upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth solely in order to avoid the risk, expense and uncertainty of litigation. AGREEMENT NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and conditions contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 3 1.Recitals Incorporated. The Recitals set forth above are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. 2.Satisfaction of TUMF Obligation. a.Satisfaction of TUMF Prior to Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything in the Cooperation Agreement to the contrary, City shall assume all obligations for TUMF that are claimed owing by WRCOG with respect to any development within Canyon Hills prior to the Effective Date. Within thirty (30) days following City’s and Pardee’s execution of the “TUMF Credit Agreement” described in Section 2.c. below, City shall return to Pardee all TUMF paid under protest by Pardee prior to the Effective Date. b.Satisfaction of TUMF on and following Effective Date. Pardee shall be responsible for the payment of TUMF within Canyon Hills on and following the Effective Date and shall fully satisfy the entire remaining TUMF obligation for Canyon Hills through the initial funding and construction of all or a portion of the ”TUMF Improvements,” as defined in, and pursuant to Section 3 below. Consequently, all TUMF paid under protest for Canyon Hills prior to the Effective Date shall be returned to Pardee as provided in Section 2.a. above and no TUMF shall be required to be paid following the Effective Date. c.TUMF Credit Agreement. In consideration of Pardee’s obligation to provide the initial funding for, and manage the construction of the TUMF Improvements pursuant to this Agreement, within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, the City and Pardee shall enter into a TUMF Credit Agreement with respect to the TUMF Improvements in the form set forth in WRCOG’s TUMF Administrative Plan subject to those changes necessary to conform to the terms of this Agreement. 3.Funding and Construction of TUMF Improvements. a.Scope of TUMF Improvements. The TUMF Improvements shall consist of the following: (i) improvements to Camino del Norte consisting generally of 4 lanes of street, curb, gutter, right of way acquisition and other per SCES Engineering design plans, as more specifically described in Exhibit A to this Agreement (the “Camino del Norte Improvements”); (ii) widening of Railroad Canyon Road to three lanes each direction from the I-15 Interchange to the City limits at Canyon Lake, including all costs of design and engineering, curb and gutter as to be mutually agreed to by the parties and as more specifically described in Exhibit B to this Agreement (the “Railroad Canyon Road Improvements”); and (iii) extension of Camino del Norte from Old Franklin Bridge where it begins as Canyon Estates Drive and realigns as an extension of Camino Del Norte towards Summerhill Drive to where it blends in by the temporary storage business per SCES Engineering design plans, as more specifically described in Exhibit C to this Agreement (the “Camino del Norte Extension”). #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 4 If by reason of permitting, design or engineering issues the construction of the foregoing TUMF Improvements becomes impractical or prohibitive, or if the costs will exceed the Funding Cap (defined below), the Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to identify and agree upon substitute TUMF-eligible improvements provided the total costs to be incurred by Pardee for the TUMF Improvements and substitute improvements will not exceed the Funding Cap. b.Construction of TUMF Improvements. Subject to (i) the City’s acquisition and receipt of all necessary rights-of-way, easements, licenses, permits and approvals required for the construction of the applicable TUMF Improvement, (ii) the City’s approval of the plans and specifications for the applicable TUMF Improvement, (iii) the City’s and Pardee’s execution of the TUMF Credit Agreement, and (iv) the City’s and Pardee’s execution of the Funding Agreement Amendment (defined below), Pardee shall solicit bids for the construction of the TUMF Improvement and award the construction contract(s) for the TUMF Improvement in accordance with the same bidding and contracting requirements that would apply to the City if it were to award such contract(s). The City and Pardee will endeavor to commence construction of each TUMF Improvement in accordance with the following performance schedule: TUMF Improvement Commence Construction Camino del Norte Improvements By the end of 2017 Railroad Canyon Road Improvements Within 180 days following execution of TUMF Credit Agreement Camino del Norte Extension By the end of 2017 Each TUMF Improvement will be constructed in accordance with a construction schedule to be included in the applicable construction contract(s). c.Reimbursement of Actual Costs of TUMF Improvements. Pardee agrees to provide the initial funding for all “Actual Costs” (as defined in the Funding Agreement) of the TUMF Improvements, not to exceed $6,751,391 (the “Funding Cap”). In connection with the construction of the TUMF Improvements, Pardee shall not charge the City for construction management or general contractor feesfor constructing or managing the construction and/or design and engineering of the TUMF Improvements. Under no circumstances, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the TUMF Credit Agreement to the contrary, shall Pardee be required to incur Actual Costs for the TUMF Improvements in excess of the Funding Cap. If Pardee determines at any time based upon Actual Costs incurred to date and estimated Actual Costs to be incurred that the total Actual Costs of the TUMF Improvements will exceed the Funding Cap, Pardee shall provide written notice to City describing such estimated Actual Costs. Upon City’s receipt of such written notice, the City and Pardee shall schedule a meeting to discuss the information and mutually determine whether there are reductions in the scope of work for the TUMF Improvements that may be made, or substitute TUMF-eligible improvements that can be identified in order to remain within the Funding Cap. All Actual Costs incurred by Pardee for the TUMF Improvements shall be reimbursed by the City according to the following process: #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 5 (i)Pardee may submit monthly invoices to the City for reimbursement of Actual Costs incurred by Pardee relating to a TUMF Improvement that are not construction costs. Such invoices shall include copies of the bills or invoices received by Pardee from third parties evidencing the Actual Costs. Such invoices from Pardee shall be paid by the City within thirty (30) days of receipt. (ii)Pardee may submit periodic invoices to the City for reimbursement of Actual Costs incurred by Pardee pursuant to the construction contract(s) for a TUMF Improvement in accordance with the applicable construction contract, including all change orders. Such invoices from Pardee shall be paid to Pardee by the City within thirty (30) days of receipt. (iii)All change orders under any construction contract for a TUMF Improvement shall be approved by the City Manager. 4.Special Taxes and Bonds of CFD Nos. 2003-2 and 2016-2. a.Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, the City and Pardee shall enter into an amendment to the Funding Agreement (the “Funding Agreement Amendment”) to add CFD No. 2016-2 and Improvement Area E of CFD No. 2003-2 to the Funding Agreement so as to permit the funding of the eligible facilities and fees with the special taxes of CFD No. 2016-2 and Improvement Area E collected prior to the issuance of Bonds and the proceeds of the CFD No. 2016-2 Bonds and CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds issued for Improvement Area E. With the approval of EVMWD, the City and Pardee also agree to amend the JCFA to include CFD No. 2016-2 and Improvement Area E. After the issuance of bonds for CFD No. 2016-2 or Improvement Area E, as applicable, the City shall be entitled to retain the proceeds of any special taxes not required to pay debt service on bonds from CFD No. 2016-2 or Improvement Area E, as applicable. b.The City shall proceed with the issuance of a principal amount of $7,975,000 in CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds for Improvement Area B as soon as reasonably possible following the Effective Date. Such CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds shall be issued with a premium in order to maximize the available amount of net proceeds. Of the proceeds of such CFD No. 2003-2 Bonds remaining after funding the reserve fund, costs of issuance and capitalized interest, if any, the first $6,800,000 shall be available to fund Fees and Public Facilities in accordance with the Funding Agreement, as amended, and all amounts in excess of the first $6,800,000 shall be available to the City for eligible facilities. c.As soon as reasonably possible following the buildout of all residential property within CFD No. 2016-2, the City shall proceed with the issuance of the CFD No. 2016-2 Bonds in an estimated par amount of $19,000,000. Of the proceeds of the CFD No. 2016-2 Bonds remaining after funding the reserve fund, costs of issuance and the amount necessary to pay, repay or defease the obligation to pay, or any indebtedness secured by the CFD No. 2003-2, Improvement Area B special tax for all property within CFD No. 2016-2, the first $4,000,000 shall be available to fund Fees and Public Facilities in accordance with the Funding Agreement, #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 6 as amended, and all amounts in excess of the first $4,000,000 shall be available to the City for eligible facilities. 5.Release of All Pardee Claims by Pardee. Except for the warranties provided in this Agreement as well as covenants and obligations created by this Agreement, Pardee, on behalf of itself and its officers, successors, affiliates, agents, attorneys and assigns, forever releases and discharges the City, and their respective officers, successors, affiliates, agents, attorneys and assigns from any and all claims, demands, disputes, damages, liabilities, actions, causes of action, and other rights to relief, both legal and equitable, of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, past or present, which Pardee has, had or may have against any one or more of the City, arising out of or related in any way to the Pardee Claims. The foregoing release is expressly conditioned upon the occurrence of each of the following events (the “Pardee Release Conditions”): a.The formation of CFD No. 2016-2 and the City’s and Pardee’s execution of the Funding Agreement Amendment and the amendment to the JCFA described in Section 4.a. above; and b.The execution of a TUMF Credit Agreement as described in Section 2.c. above. In the event that any of the foregoing Pardee Release Conditions fail to occur, the release contained in this section shall be deemed void ab initio. 6.Release of All City Claims by City. Except for the warranties provided in this Agreement as well as covenants and obligations created by this Agreement, City, on behalf of itself, CFD No. 2003-2 and CFD No. 2016-2, its officers, successors, affiliates, agents, attorneys and assigns, forever releases and discharges Pardee and its officers, successors, affiliates, agents, attorneys and assigns from any and all claims, demands, disputes, damages, liabilities, actions, courses of action, and other rights of relief, both legal and equitable, of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, past or present, which City has had, or may have, against the City, arising out of or related to the City Claims. The foregoing release is expressly conditioned upon the occurrence of each of the following events (the “City Release Conditions”): a.The earlier of (i) the completion and dedication of the TUMF Improvements or (ii) Pardee’s submittal of invoices to the City in a total amount equal to the Funding Cap; and b.The execution of a TUMF Credit Agreement as described in Section 2.c. above 7.Waiver of Civil Code Section 1542. Pardee and City, each on behalf of itself and its officers, successors, affiliates, agents, attorneys and assigns, expressly waives all rights they may have, or claim to have, under the provisions of Civil Code Section 1542 which provides in relevant part: “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 #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 7 BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.” 8.Default. Failure by either party to perform any material action or covenant required by this Agreement within the time periods provided herein following notice and failure to cure as described hereafter, constitutes a “Default” under this Agreement. A party claiming a Default shall give written notice of Default to the other party specifying the Default complained of. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the claimant shall not institute any proceeding against any other party, and the other party shall not be in Default, if such party within thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice cures such default, or if the nature of such Default is such that it cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30) day period, then the claimant shall not institute any proceeding against any other party, and the other party shall not be in Default, if such party shall, with due diligence, commence to cure, correct or remedy such failure or delay and shall complete such cure, correction or remedy with diligence, as soon as reasonably possible. 9.Dispute Resolution and Mediation. The Parties agree that differences of opinion regarding the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall be discussed as soon as practically possible following awareness of a conflict. Before commencing any legal action, the Parties shall attempt early resolution of conflicts through mediation administered through the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The Parties agree that documented willingness to participate in mediation is a condition precedent of any later legal action. 10.Notices. Any document or notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly delivered if delivered or addressed as set forth below: (a) Upon personal delivery; or (b) as of the third day after depositing such document or notice in the United States mail, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepared; or (c) as of the first business day after depositing such notice with a nationally recognized overnight courier services expenses prepaid. All documents and notices shall be addressed as follows: To the City: City of Lake Elsinore, CFD No. 2003-2 and CFD No. 2016-2 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 Attention: City Manager, City Clerk With a Copy to: Leibold, McClendon & Mann 9841 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 230 Irvine, CA 92618 Attention: Barbara Leibold #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 8 To Pardee: Pardee Homes 1250 Corona Pointe Court, Suite 600 Corona, CA 92879 Attention: Mike Taylor, Jeff Chambers With a Copy to: O’Neil LLP 19900 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 1050 Irvine, CA 92612 Attention: John P. Yeager, Esq. 11.No Assignment of Rights. Pardee represents and warrants that it is the true holder of all rights and remedies released by this Agreement, and that it has not assigned nor transferred any of those rights or remedies to any other individual or entity. 12.Exclusive Remedy. By executing this Agreement, the parties agree that, except as otherwise stated herein, the rights and remedies provided in this Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive rights and remedies surviving as between them relating to the Claims. 13.Authority to Execute. By signature below, each signatory signifies that he or she is an authorized signatory of the Party on behalf of whom he or she executes this Agreement. 14.Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and the executed counterparts thereof shall together form the executed Agreement. A copy of a fully executed counterpart of this Agreement, including an electronic or facsimile transmission of a fully executed counterpart, may serve as an original, fully executed counterpart. 15.Governing Law. This Agreement is entered into in the State of California and is governed by the laws of the State of California. 16.No Admission of Liability. The Parties agree that neither the execution of this Agreement nor the terms of the Agreement shall be construed as an admission of liability by any Party or an admission of any claim against a Party. 17.No Representation by Parties. This Agreement contains the sole and entire agreement and understanding of the Parties with respect to the entire subject matter of the Agreement, and any and all prior discussions, negotiations, commitments, or understandings related to this Agreement, if any, are merged in this Agreement. No representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, other than those contained in this Agreement, have been or shall be deemed to have been made by any Party. No other agreement shall be deemed to exist or to bind the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. 18.Amendments/Modifications. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by a writing executed by each Party. 19.Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. 20.No Third Party Beneficiaries. There shall be no third party beneficiaries of this #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 9 Agreement. 21.Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted solely for convenience of reference and are not a part of and are not intended to govern, limit or aid in the construction of any terms or provision hereof. 22.No Waiver.Failure or delay on the part of the Parties to enforce any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, or of any other right, power, or privilege. 23.Provisions Equally Construed. This Agreement was drafted by the mutual enterprise of the Parties and shall not be construed in favor of or against any party, but shall be construed equally as to both parties. 24.Consultation with Counsel. The undersigned hereto declare and represent that each has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of their own choosing concerning the advisability of entering into this Agreement; that they have read and understood the contents of this Agreement; and that they execute the same of their own free will. Each party's attorney has reviewed this Agreement and has approved this Agreement as to form and substance. 25.Force Majeure. Whenever performance is required of a Party hereunder, that Party shall use all due diligence and take all necessary measures in good faith to perform, but if completion of performance is delayed by reasons of floods, earthquakes, inclement weather or other acts of God, war, civil commotion, riots, strikes, acts of terrorism, picketing, other labor disputes, damage to work in progress by casualty, government shutdowns, moratoria or other restrictive laws or regulations, or the acts, omissions or breach of agreement by the other Party to this Agreement or its agents, contractors or subcontractors, or by other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Party (financial inability excepted), then the specified time for performance shall be extended by the amount of the delay actually so caused. 26.Termination of Cooperation Agreement and Joint Defense Agreement. Upon the Effective Date, both the Cooperation Agreement and Joint Defense Agreement shall be deemed terminated by the Parties; provided, however, any amounts due and payable by Pardee to the City pursuant to Section 2.B of the Joint Defense Agreement as of the Effective Date shall remain due and payable. [Signature Page Follows] #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 10 CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE By: City Manager COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2003-2 OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE By: City Manager COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2016-2 OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE By: City Manager ATTEST: By: City Clerk PARDEE HOMES, a California corporation By: Mike Taylor Division President APPROVED AS TO FORM: O’NEIL LLP By: John P. Yeager, Esq. Attorneys for Pardee APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 A-1 EXHIBIT A Detailed Scope of Camino del Norte Improvements #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 B-1 EXHIBIT B Detailed Scope of Railroad Canyon Road Improvements #168386 v5 4000.2 12/19/2016 C-1 EXHIBIT C Detailed Scope of Camino del Norte Extension