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Item P4 ADD—ON BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: September 17,,2013 Division: County Attorgey Bulk Item: Yes No XX Staff Contact Person: Natileene Cassel 292-3470 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Settlement Agreement in the matter of Monroe County v Jose® Gonzalez, individually and Gonzalez Architects,Case Number 07-CA-458-K. ITEM BACKGROUND: This final Settlement Agreement resolves all issues between Monroe County and Jose® Gonzalez,individually and Gonzalez Architects.The Agreement calls for Gonzalez to pay Monroe County the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars($700,000.00)to be paid within twenty days oft execution of the Agreement. Upon approval of the Settlement Agreement by the Board of County Commissioners,execution by all parties and payment oft settlement amount the Mutual Releases will be exchanged and the lawsuit dismissed with Prejudice. In order to accomplish the settlement two of Gonzalez's subcontractors have contributed tot settlement amount.This Settlement Agreement represents the final settlement oft a case between all parties. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: The initial lawsuit was brought by The Tower Group(TTG)against Monroe County.Subsequently,the County brought suit against Gonzalez, individually and Gonzalez Architects. In April 2010,TTG and Monroe County entered into a settlement and Voluntary Dismissal oft a portion oft e case. The settlement between TTG and Monroe County left the remainder oft a case between Monroe County and Gonzalez Architects viable. on approval of this agreement the entire case will be closed. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:Approval of Settlement Agreement TOTAL COST: -0- —INDIRECT COST: BUDGETED: Yes — No DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE: COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS: REVENUE PRODUCING:Yes No— AMOUNT PER MONTH— Year APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing is Management DOCUMENTATION: included X Not Required DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM# P-4 ADD—ON s SETTLEWE 'T AG RE E MENT This Settlement Agreement is made and entered into this day of , 2013, by and between the following parties and entities, sometimes referred to hereinafter collectively as the "Parties": Plaintiff MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, (referred to hereinafter as "MONROE COUNTY"); and Defendants GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS, a foreign corporation, (referred to hereinafter as "ARCHITECTS"), and JOSE GONZALEZ, an individual, (referred to hereinafter as "GONZALEZ"); and FRANYIE ENGINEERS, INC., a Florida corporation, (referred to hereinafter as FRANYIE), VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E., an individual, ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E., an individual, (collectively referred to hereinafter as "FRANYIE PARTIES") and PEREZ ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT, INC., a Florida corporation (referred to hereinafter as "PEREZ"). RECITALS WHEREAS, on or about March 24, 1993, MONROE COUNTY entered into a Contract with ARCHITECTS for the design and provision of design documents, plans, specifications, as well as other design and project management services, for The Freeman Justice Center, a new courthouse to be constructed at Jackson Square, Key West, Florida, (hereinafter referred to as "the Project"), and WHEREAS, GONZALEZ, the Architect of Record for the Project, executed the Contract with MONROE COUNTY, signed and sealed the permitted plans for the Project, and was responsible for design administration on behalf of ARCHITECTS for the Project until October 12, 2005, and 1 T t WHEREAS, ARCHITECTS entered into a contract with FRANYIE to provide Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering design services for the Project, and WHEREAS, ARCHITECTS entered into a contract with PEREZ to provide certain Civil Engineering design services for the Project, and WHEREAS, on or about October 12, 2005, MONROE COUNTY terminated the Contract with ARCHITECTS, claiming that ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ had failed to perform their design and administrative responsibilities, and WHEREAS, on or about October 12, 2005, due to MONROE COUNTY's termination of its contract with ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, FRANYIE deemed its contract with ARCHITECTS terminated and discontinued its work on the Project; and WHEREAS, MONROE COUNTY has made various claims against ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, including, but not limited to, claims involving errors and omissions in the plans and specifications furnished by ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, including the plans and specifications prepared by FRANYIE and PEREZ, which errors and omissions MONROE COUNTY contends were not corrected or resolved in a timely or effective manner which resulted in MONROE COUNTY incurring additional costs and expenses (hereinafter referred to as the "Claims"), and WHEREAS, ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, and FRANYIE and PEREZ, to date, have denied the Claims made by MONROE COUNTY, and WHEREAS, on or about March 19, 2008, MONROE COUNTY brought an action against ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ for breach of contract and professional negligence, in a 2 k Y lawsuit styled Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, a political subdivision in the State of Florida, vs. Gonzalez Architects, a foreign corporation and Jose Gonzalez, an individual; Case No. 2008-CA-458K, consolidated with Case No. 2007-CA-1428k, filed in the Circuit Court in and for Monroe County, Florida(hereinafter referred to as the "Lawsuit"), and WHEREAS, ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ denied MONROE COUNTY's allegations in the Lawsuit and filed Affirmative Defenses in response; and WHEREAS, ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ demanded that FRANYIE and PEREZ indemnify and defend ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ from certain claims asserted by MONROE COUNTY,which demand FRANYIE and PEREZ denied; and WHEREAS, the Parties, each of whom is represented by counsel, or have had an opportunity to be represented by counsel, recognize their respective rights and obligations, and now desire to settle the Lawsuit as well as any and all claims which were or could have been brought in the Lawsuit or arising from the Project. NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the payment(s) and mutual promises, covenants, representations and conditions contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the following are the terms and conditions of this Settlement Agreement: 1. Recitals and Representations. The above recitals and representations are true and correct and incorporated herein. 2. Compromise Settlement. The Parties agree that this Settlement Agreement is a full and final settlement of a disputed claim, and that it is neither intended nor to be interpreted 3 as an admission of fault, liability, or legal responsibility on the part of the settling parties, said fault, responsibility, and legal liability being expressly denied. It is understood and agreed that this Settlement Agreement is made as a compromise to avoid the expense of litigation. 3. Condition ]Precedent. A condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release, attached hereto as Exhibit "A", (hereinafter referred to as the "Limited Mutual Release") is approval of the Settlement Agreement and Limited Mutual Release by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. If the Board does not approve the Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release, the Settlement Agreement and Limited Mutual Release shall be deemed null and void ab initio, treated as though the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release had never been executed, and shall not be admissible in any proceeding, including but not limited to the Lawsuit, for any purpose. 4. Pavment to Monroe County. In consideration of MONROE COUNTY'S release and promises described in the Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release, ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ agree to pay MONROE COUNTY the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000)(hereinafter the "Settlement Amount"). FRANYIE and PEREZ have agreed to contribute to ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ portions of the Settlement Amount, as set forth in separate agreements between those parties. The Settlement Amount shall be paid within twenty(20)days of the execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Parties. 5. Limited Mutual Release. Upon approval by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners of the Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release, execution of the Settlement Agreement by the Parties, and upon payment of the Settlement Amount, the 4 Parties will execute and exchange the Limited Mutual Release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 'A'. 6. Architects/Gonzalez' Responsibility as Architect of Record. MONROE COUNTY acknowledges that based upon the termination of the ARCHITECTS' design contract on October 12, 2005, ARCHITECTS/GONZALEZ were no longer the Architect of Record as of said date; however, the parties agree that, ARCHITECTS/GONZALEZ remain responsible for the design of and administration of the design for the Project undertaken prior to October 12, 2005, regardless of the time when the construction pursuant to ARCHITECTS/GONZALEZ's design took place. 7. Franyie's Responsibility as MEP Engineer of Record. MONROE COUNTY acknowledges that based upon the termination of the ARCHITECTS' design contract on October 12, 2005, and FRANYIE's discontinuing engineering services as a result, FRANYIE, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E. and ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E. were no longer the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer of Record as of said date; however, the parties agree that FRANYIE, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E. and ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E. , as applicable, remain responsible for the design of and administration of the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing design for the Project undertaken prior to October 12, 2005, regardless of the time when the construction pursuant to FRANYIE, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E. and/or ANTONIO FRANYIE P.E.'s design took place. 8. Costs and Fees. Except as provided below, the Parties agree that each Party shall bear its own attorneys' fees, costs and expenses arising out of, or connected with, the Lawsuit, or arising out of, or connected with, the Settlement Agreement and/or the Limited 5 6 Mutual Release, whether such costs and fees have been incurred prior to the execution of this Settlement Agreement and/or Limited Mutual Release or will be incurred after their execution. 9. Dismissal With Prejudice. Upon approval of the Settlement Agreement by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, execution of the Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release by the Parties, and within ten (10) days after the payment of the Settlement Amount to MONROE COUNTY has cleared the account upon which it is drawn and/or the settlement funds have otherwise become available to MONROE COUNTY, MONROE COUNTY, ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ will authorize and instruct their respective attorneys to sign and file the Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice of the Lawsuit and proposed Order in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B". 10. Rearesentation by Counsel. The Parties acknowledge that they have been represented by counsel, or have had an opportunity to be represented by counsel, in connection with this Settlement Agreement and Limited Mutual Release. The Parties further acknowledge that no promise, inducement or agreement not herein expressed has been made to them in connection with this Settlement Agreement, and that the Settlement Agreement is intended as a final and complete expression of their agreement and understanding with respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms of this Settlement Agreement are contractual and are not mere recital. This Settlement Agreement may not be changed, modified, altered or amended except by written instrument executed by all Parties. 11. Governing Law; Venue. The Settlement Agreement and the Limited Mutual Release shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. Venue for all disputes, controversies or claims relating to this Settlement Agreement 6 r that involve Monroe County shall remain in the Circuit Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for Monroe County, Florida; however any enforcement proceedings or other action arising out of or related to this Settlement Agreement shall be brought before Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Areces assigned to the case being settled or any other judge that the Florida Supreme Court may assign in her place. Venue for any disputes between ARCHITECTS, GONZALEZ, FRANYIE PARTIES and PEREZ shall be in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida. 12. Binding Effect, This Settlement Agreement shall be binding upon and inure exclusively to the benefit of the Parties, their predecessors, successors, assigns, parent and affiliated corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, principals, directors, employees, agents, insurance carriers, adjusters and legal representatives. 13. Construction of Agreement. This Settlement Agreement shall not be construed against the Party preparing it, but shall be construed as if it were prepared jointly by all Parties, and any uncertainty or ambiguity, or both, shall not be interpreted against any person or entity on the grounds of the drafting or participation in drafting of such language. 14. Entire Apareement. This Settlement Agreement represents the entirety of all agreements and understandings of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, except for such separate releases as may exist between ARCHITECTS, GONZALEZ, FRANYIE PARTIES and PEREZ. All prior discussions, negotiations, letters, demands, and writings of any kind are fully merged into this Settlement Agreement and are of no further force or effect and this Settlement Agreement shall serve as the sole and entire expression of the agreement and understanding of 7 the Parties, except for such separate releases as may exist between ARCHITECTS, GONZALEZ, FRANYIE PARTIES and PEREZ. 15. Default. In the event that ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ default in their payment obligation under this Settlement Agreement, MONROE COUNTY or its counsel shall send written notice of such default to ARCHITECTS' and GONZALEZ' counsel, Daniels Kashtan, 4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 800, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, by U.S. Mail, Facsimile and/or Email, and ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, shall have ten (10) business days from the date of such notice to cure said default. Should ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ, fail to remit payment within the cure period,MONROE COUNTY shall immediately be permitted to file a Motion and Affidavit with the Court to that affect and upon such Motion, Affidavit and Notice, MONROE COUNTY shall be entitled to the entry of a Final Default Judgment against ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ for any unpaid portion of the Settlement Amount, plus interest from the date of default, together with the attorneys' fees and costs incurred in such proceeding. 16. Authority of Signatory. Each of the Parties represents and expressly warrants that the person whose signature appears below on its behalf is of legal age, under no legal disability which would preclude them from entering into this Settlement Agreement, and that said person executes this Settlement Agreement freely, voluntarily, and with full knowledge of the terms and conditions and has full power and authority to execute this Settlement Agreement on its behalf, and that such authority is derived by virtue of that person's office. 17. Execution in Counterparts. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement may be executed and faxed or emailed in one or more counterparts, each counterpart 8 shall be considered an original portion of this Settlement Agreement, and all of which shall constitute a singular instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Settlement Agreement to be executed as follows: [Signature pages follow] 9 � M BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Mayor Date: Attest: Amy Heavilin, CPA, Clerk of Circuit Court By: Deputy Clerk Date: 10 a� fv""�" �xrr gtl a >w cs x f Y 4 A � kX ;. d n f � ,M..��� fi� ✓fir ;� YH i MGtl � � yea. � ����Y��f ��✓y�T7� :1 xa).� I S, -. � •�`i $ r -F�'z,�g t s�'"��z;',�'r'� �a �' b=" a=�f � I� �x"sYt s- i'�"�.4 of ((t 9 T"� �r r � 'ury "•'�ax�c [✓F $t b,� yM h r'Y '^ r' MP �+,r aP 4 ------------------------------- .. s�' e� "K�. ¢•v"�.�,��aa'`�I�'�Y�t'c ���'� ��^St nb r9 r ` �✓ 3S�i ` ��'''���� a a>z u��`� � � � s gf ry 4� JO IS F All sl b k � n Y a t � Y t '' u � Y .a s °�f .4; a FRANYIE ENGINEERS,INC. By: 7 Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) )SS. COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADS ) BEFORE ME,the undersigned authority,personally appeared who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement,and who acknowled be a me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this&day o 2013. f Notafy Public,State of Adnida at Large My Commission Expires: ;A a, t/Type Notary' ame Notarv/- Please check appro ate box: ��`"ram =VoIGTI• MY 6721Personally]mown to me;or ° E17m Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 13 i VIVIANA FRANYIE,INDIVIDUALLY By: VNIA A FRANIVE Title: � STATE OF FLORIDA ) )SS. COUNTY OF NUAMI-DARE ) BEFORE ME,the undersigned authority, personally appeared ` • who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement,and who acknowledg fo me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this it day of 2013. _ , d4w"If— Notao Public,State of lorida at Large My Commission Expires: &L't d, '4 41 Pr" t/Type Notary's ame Np!AM. Pleasecheck WVv2W e box: MARIA C VOIGT MY COMMISSION*FF=721 Personally known to me;or :�` ' ' EXPIRES Jute 10,2017 AOi)3ti&016� Flald Mnoom Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 13A ANTONI ALLY ONIO Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) )SS. COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE ) BEFORE ME,the undersigned authority, personally appeared who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement;and who ac)(novoledge4 befviv me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me thls�6ny of 2013. No Public,State o orida at Large My Cbmmission Expires: r / . P e 74- Natary'A 1 ame Notarv- P ---ch ,spa propriate box: - MARIA C VOIGT ___. Personally known tome;or MY COMMISSION�267Z1 � , ; ` 17 10,20 Produced as identification: m)3OS� Bai a (Type of identification) 13B PEREZ ENGINEERIN AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. By: Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) )SS. COUNTY OF MONROE ) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, perso I1y appear d who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreeme t, and who acknowledge¢before me that he/she executed the same. ff SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before day of8 , l _ I ,� Notary tate of Florida at Large F ' `"`% SHERYUL BEFUANMy Commission Expires: MY COMMISSION M EE D6MAR EXPIRES:February 21.;O!5 ! BoWodmro Notary P, UrOt . :, it Sheryl A. Berman Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known tome; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 14 LIMITED MUTUAL RELEASE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That pursuant to a Settlement Agreement reached by MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA (MONROE COUNTY) a political subdivision of the State of Florida, GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS (ARCHITECTS), a foreign corporation, JOSE GONZALEZ (GONZALEZ), an individual, FRANYIE ENGINEERS, INC. (FRANYIE), a Florida corporation, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E., an individual, ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E., an individual and PEREZ ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. (PEREZ), a Florida corporation, collectively referred to as "the Parties," approved by the Monroe County Commission at its duly published and publicly held meeting on 2013, and in consideration of payment to MONROE COUNTY of the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand ($700,000) Dollars and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties enter into this Limited Mutual Release to resolve any and all claims and defenses by and between the Parties that were raised or could have been raised in that certain action styled "Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, a political subdivision in the State of Florida, vs. Gonzalez Architects, a foreign corporation and Jose Gonzalez, an individual; Case No.: 2008- CA-458K Consolidated with Case No.: 2007-CA-1428K, filed in the Circuit Court in and for Monroe County, Florida and, that, in accordance with this Limited Mutual Release the Parties hereby remise, release, acquit, satisfy and forever discharge each other (subject to the Exclusions set forth below; and limited to the Freeman Justice Center project) of and from all claims, actions, causes and causes of actions, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises, damages and demands whatsoever, in law or in equity, which each of the Parties ever had, now has, or hereinafter shall or may have against any other of the Parties and their successors, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, heirs, assigns, officers, directors, principals, employees, agents, attorneys, insurers and adjusters of each of the parties for, upon and by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the day of these presents, arising out of all claims and defenses that were raised or could have been raised between the Parties arising from or relating to the above-referenced case and/or the Project. Exclusions: 1. The Releases set forth herein exclude actions and liability arising in connection with third-party claims for personal injury and property damage and claims for latent defects that were not known and could not have been discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence as of the date of execution by the Parties of this Limited Mutual Release. The Releases set forth herein also exclude any liability of ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ that may arise out of ARCHITECTS and GONZALEZ being the Architect of Record as set forth and defined in Paragraph 6 of the Settlement Agreement between the Parties, and exclude any liability of FRANYIE, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E. and ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E. that may arise out of FRANYIE, VIVIANA FRANYIE, P.E. and/or ANTONIO FRANYIE, P.E. being the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer of Record as set forth and defined in Paragraph 7 of the Settlement Agreement between the Parties. EXHIBIT"A" This Limited Mutual Release may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which, together, shall be deemed to constitute a single document. An executed facsimile copy shall be deemed an original as well. [Signature pages follow] 2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Mayor Date: Attest: Amy Heavilin, CPA,Clerk of Circuit Court By: Deputy Clerk Date: 3 GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS By: JOSE GONZALEZ Title: STATE OF GEORGIA ) ) SS. COUNTY OF ) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared , who executed before me the foregoing Limited Mutual Release, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this day of , 2013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 4 JOSE GONZALEZ, INDIVIDUALLY By: JOSE GONZALEZ Title: STATE OF GEORGIA ) SS. COUNTY OF BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared who executed before me the foregoing Limited Mutual Release, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this day of 2013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) FRANYIE ENGINEERS, INC. By: Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared ,who executed before me the foregoing Limited Mutual Release, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this_day of , 2013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 6 VIVIANA FRANYIE, INDIVIDUALLY By: VIVIANA FRANYIE Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE ) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared , who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this®day of , 2013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 7 ANTONIO FRANYIE, INDIVIDUALLY By: ANTONIO FRANYIE Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE ) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, personally appeared , who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this_day of , 2013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Notary: Please check appropriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) s PEREZ ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. By: Title: STATE OF FLORIDA ) ) SS. COUNTY OF MONROE ) BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority,personally appeared , who executed before me the foregoing Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, and who acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same. SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED before me this_day of 12013. Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires: Print/Type Notary's Name Nota,y Please check apmroDriate box: Personally known to me; or Produced as identification: (Type of identification) 9 A , IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA CONSOLIDATED THE TOWER GROUP,INC.,a Florida CASE NO.: 2007-CA-1428-K corporation, CASE NO.: 2008-CA-458-K Plaintiff, VS. MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Defendant. / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Counter-Plaintiff, VS. THE TOWER GROUP,INC.,a Florida corporation and TRAVELERS CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY OF AMERICA, a foreign corporation, Counter-Defendants. / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Plaintiff, vs. GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS,a foreign corporation and JOSE GONZALEZ,an individual, Defendants. / JOINT STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE Plaintiff, MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, a Political Subdivision of the State of Florida, and Defendants, GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS, a foreign corporation, and JOSE GONZALEZ, an individual, (hereinafter the "Parties") hereby agree and stipulate as follow: EXHIBIT KB" 1. In accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of the Parties' Settlement Agreement dated , the Parties hereby agree to the entry of an Order Dismissing with Prejudice all claims in the above-styled action, as well as all defenses associated therewith, with each party to bear its own attorneys' fees and costs. 2. The Parties agree to the entry of a Final Order of Dismissal in the form attached hereto. 3. The Parties further agree that this Stipulation may be executed in counterparts. 4. The Court shall retain jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing the Parties' Settlement Agreement. STIPULATED AND AGREED TO BY: NATILEENE W. CASSEL,ESQUIRE, Assistant County Attorney Counsel for Plaintiff, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners I I 1112th Street, Suite 408 Key West, Florida 33034 Telephone: (305)292-3470 By: Dated: Natileene W. Cassel, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 365785 FERENCIK LIBANOFF BRANDT BUSTAMANTE & GOLDSTEIN, P.A. Counsel for Plaintiff, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners 150 South Pine Island Road, Suite 400 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33324 Telephone: (954)474-8080 By: Dated: Ira Libanoff, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 378429 Janet E. Ritenbaugh, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 518840 2 - b DANIELS KASHTAN Counsel for Defendants, Gonzalez Architects and Jose Gonzalez 4000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 800 Coral Gables, Florida 33136 Telephone: (305)448-7988 By: Dated: Joseph W. Downs,III, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 190243 Neil P. Robertson,Esquire Florida Bar Number: 287180 3 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA CONSOLIDATED THE TOWER GROUP,INC., a Florida CASE NO.: 2007-CA-1428-K corporation, CASE NO.: 2008-CA-458-K Plaintiff, vs. MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Defendant. / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Counter-Plaintiff, vs. THE TOWER GROUP,INC., a Florida corporation and TRAVELERS CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY OF AMERICA,a foreign corporation, Counter-Defendants. / MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,a political subdivision of the State of Florida, Plaintiff, vs. GONZALEZ ARCHITECTS,a foreign corporation and JOSE GONZALEZ,an individual, Defendants. / ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE Upon consideration of the Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice filed by Plaintiff, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and Defendants, Gonzalez Architects and Jose Gonzalez, it is hereby: 4 ORDERED and ADJUDGED that the claims, cross-claims, and third-party claims of all the parties and the defenses of all the parties in the above action are dismissed with prejudice, with each party to bear its own costs and attorneys' fees. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers,Miami-Dade County, Florida this day of , 2013. THE HONORABLE BARBARA ARECES CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE Copies to: cc: [FAX:Ira Libanoff, Esquire@ 1-954-474-7343] [FAX:Janet E. Ritenbaugh, Esquire@ 1-954-474-7343] [FAX:Natileene W. Cassel, Esquire@305-292-3516] [FAX:Joseph W. Downs, III, Esquire@305-448-7978] [FAX:Neil P. Robertson, Esquire@305-448-7978] 5