Item Q3 * REVISED BACK—UP
BOARD OF COUNTY COMTVIISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date:.July 16, 2014 Division: County Attomey's Office
Bulk Item: Yes x No _
Staff Contact Person/Phone#. Christine Limbert-Barrows
(305)292-3475
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of settlement agreements with(a)Stand Up for Animals, Inc.,Linda Gottwald and members
of SUFA's board of directors, and (b)Paul Mills to resolve all claims in the matter of Monroe County
vs. Stand Up forAnimals, Inc, et. at (Circuit Court Case No. CAK-10-1050).
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The tentative settlement agreements resolve all issues between Monroe County and SOFA, Linda
Gottwald, the individual directors and Mr. Mills, CPA. The agreement with SUFA, Linda Gottwald
and the individual directors calls for the County to pay SUFA $45,000 and the agreement with Mr.
Mills calls for Mr. Mills to pay the County $8,000 and not to perform any future audits that are
required as per Country contracts without complying with additional conditions. Both proposed,
agreements contain joint statements of no liability and mutual releases. The net cost to the County will
be $37,000, which is substantially less than the County's actual cost of further litigating this case and
taking it to trial. Even if the County were to prevail on all of its claims at trial, it may be difficult to
collect on a judgment against SUFA and Linda Gottwald. Approval of these settlement agreements
will result in final settlement of the case between all parties. The settlement agreements have not been
finalized. This agenda item is a placeholder in the event that a settlement between all parties can be
reached.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Closed sessions held 9/15/10; 10/20/10; 12/15/10; 1/19/11;7/20/11; 4/18/12; 2/19/14;and 5/21/14
Resolution authorizing and consenting to the dual representation of Monroe County and County
Administrator approved by the BOCC on the October 20,2010.
The contract for professional services approved by the BOCC on January 19,2011 (Agenda item#Q7).
An increase in the funding amount of contract for professional services approved by the BOCC on May
16, 2012.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:Approval
TOTAL COST:_$37,000 f4&000- 8 000 INDIRECT COST: NJA BUDGETED: Yes No_
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE: N/A
COST TO COUNTY: 37 000 SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No X AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Att OMB/Purchasing Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM# Q-3
Revised 7/09 * REVISED BACK--UP *
Now includes the proposed
Settlement Agreement.
07-08-2014 11:1 7AM FROM-BUSINESS HELPER 12312714438 T-428 P-001/004 F-388
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE
STATE OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY
MONROE COUNTY, a political subdivision of
the STATE of FLORIDA,
Plaintiff,
vs. CASE NO_ CA K 10-1050
STAND UP FOR ANIMALS,INC., et a).
Defendants.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
COME NOW Plaintiff, MONROE COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State, of
Florida,and Defendants STAND U-P FOR ANIMALS, INC. (SLTFA), USDA GOTTWALD and
the members of SUFA's Board of Directors, Veronica Johnson, Pete Myers, Lorie f arrel, and
Maya Totmar (former Individual Defendants) (hereinafter:,cumulatively, Defendants).
WHEREAS, the Parties have determined that it is in their respective best interests to
resolve the dispute and to resolve all issues raised without further litigation;
NOW, TIIEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree to the following terms and
conditions.
L Subject to approval of this agreement by the Board of County Commissioner of
Monroe County at a public meeting held in compliance with F.S. 286.011, Plaintiff agrees to pay
Defendant SUFA, $45,000,00 ( the "Settlement Amount") as full and final settlement of all
claims raised, including but not limited to all claims raised in the pleadings and raised pursuant
to F.S_ 60.07 and F.S. 57.105. The County shall pay the Settlement Amount within thirty (30)
days of approval of this Agreement by the Court.
1
07-08-2014 11:17AM FROM-BUSINESS HELPER 12312714438 T-428 P-002/004 F-383
2. J()INT STATEMENT Of NO LIABILITY: The parties agree that by reaching
this settlement neither party admits any liability or wrongdoing. It is understood that the parties
expressly deny liability and enter into this agreement solely as a compromise and to avoid and
terminate all disputes and the litigation. This settlement agreement is made by the parties for
business reasons and in the best interest of the respective parties.The County's agreement to
enter into the settlement agreement is based in large part on the Defendants' representation that
the funds paid as part of this Settlement Agreement will be used for the betterment of animals.
This agreement reaffirms the County's commitment to provide help to those animals who are in
need, and to do so without the delay, expenses and emotional cost associated with protracted
litigation. By entering into this Settlement Agreement, both parties are able to prevent further
drain, on the resources of all parties involved and focus their efforts on more important matters.
3. RELEASE., The parties further agree that in consideration of the benefits to each
party provided for by this Settlement Agreement, each party hereby releases the other party, its
officers, directors, agents, and/or employees, and their respective heirs, assigns, and/or
successors, from liability for each and every claim that was raised or which could have been
raised in the complaint, or was capable of being raised against the other party either in the
complaint or by separate action, arising and accruing from the beginning of time up until the date
of this agreement.
4. JUDICIAL ORDER: The parties agree that this Settlement Agreement shall be
submitted to the Circuit Court for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit for judicial approval and shall
become effective upon Court approval in the form of a stipulated Order Approving Settlement
Agreement. The Court may retain jurisdiction over this case to adjudicate any disputes arising as
a result of this Settlement Agreement.
2
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