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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-03-0350J-03-117 04/02,.3 RESOLUTION NO. 03— 350 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY ACCESS NOW, INC. AND CHRIST TAVANTZIS ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS OF $150,000, AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE REPAIRS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS WITHIN THE MAINTENANCE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500,000 OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS, IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI, FOR THE CASE OF ACCESS NOW, INC., ET AL VS. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL, IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, MIAMI DIVISION, CASE NO. 02-21413-CIV-MORENO, UPON DISMISSING THAT CLAIM SUBJECT TO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM; ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF $150,000 OF ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS FROM THE SELF-INSURANCE AND INSURANCE TRUST FUND, INDEX CODE NO. 515001.624401.6.651. WHEREAS, Access Now, Inc., and Christ Tavantzis, filed a claim and lawsuit against Miami -Dade County, the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Miami, in the United States District Court, Southern District Of Florida, Case No. 02-21413-CIV-MORENO, in Miami -Dade County, Florida; and WHEREAS, the above claim and lawsuit have been investigated by the City Attorney's Office pursuant to Section 18-232 of the CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF APP 1 0 2003 Resolution No. 03- 250 Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, which created the City of Miami's Self-Insurance and Insurance Trust Fund and said Office recommends that the claim and lawsuit be settled for the sum of $150,000 for attorneys fees and costs as well as making repairs and modifications to the streets and sidewalks of the City of Miami over the next eight years in the amount of $4,500,000 as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The Director of Finance is authorized to pay Access Now, Inc., and Christ Tavantzis attorneys fees and costs in the sum of $150,000, and the City Manager is directed to make repairs and modifications to the streets and sidewalks within the maintenance jurisdiction of the City of Miami to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in the amount of $4,500,000 over the next eight years, in full and complete settlement of any and all claims and demands against the City of Miami, for the case of Access Now, Inc. , et al vs. City of Miami, et al, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, Case No. 02-21413-CIV- MORENO, upon dismissing that claim subject to a Settlement Agreement, in substantially the attached form, with the funds for Page 2 of 3 03- 350 attorneys fees and costs allocated from the Self -Insurance and Insurance Trust Fund, Index Code No. 515001.624401.6.651. Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor." PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of April , 2003. v r4wfow Y dR_jj1, _/Mum EL A. DIAZ, MA �!Rit;, ATTEST: PR SCILLA A. THOMPSON CITY CLERK APPROVED AS F/R D CORRECTNESS: ILARELLO TY W6098:HJH:IR:BSS i� If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission. Page 3 of 3 03- 350 U1/lb/ZUU3 14:27 PAA 1JUa40JJJJ0 Vi, ,.n v UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA Miami Division Case No. 02-21413 Civ-Moreno/Garber ACCESS NOW, INC., A Florida non-profit corporation, and CHRIST TAVANTZIS, Plaintiffs, 0 THE CITY OF MIAMI, a municipal corporation, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, and THOMAS F. BARRY, JR., in his official capacity as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation Defendants SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN PLAINTIFFS AND THE CITY OF MIAMI Plaintiffs filed this case on May 9, 2002, alleging violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title 42 U.S.C. §§12131 et seq. (Title II, ADA), and its implementing regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 35, and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq. (Rehabilitation Act), and the regulations implementing them. Plaintiffs sued Defendants CITY OF MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida, and THOMAS F. BARRY, JR., in his official capacity as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief. The Complaint alleges problems with sidewalks, curb cuts, and other problems, which purportedly impede access to individuals with disabilities in the City of Miami, Florida. de la O & Marko TutpHoNt 305/285-1000 3001 &W. 3RD AVENUE, M[AMt, FLoatoA 33129 FACStMILt 305285-5555 03- 350 01/16/2003 14:27 MA i3U3260JJJJ 2 of 12 Case No. 02-2'1-. is Civ-Moreno/Garber Plaintiffs and Defendant, the City of Miami, have expressed their desire to settle, rather than litigate this lawsuit. The parties acknowledge the costs and uncertainty of protracted litigation and mutually believe that settlement is the preferred method of resolving the case. THEREFORE, in settlement of this action, the parties agree as follows: 1. Definitions A. "Defendant," as used herein, refers only to the City of Miami. B. "Parties" refer to the Plaintiffs and the City of Miami. C. "City of Miami" refers to the municipal boundaries of the City of Miami, Florida, as it exists on the date this agreement is executed. D. "City Roads" refers to roads, streets, or highways, or portions thereof, within the City of Miami that are owned or maintained by the City of Miami. This includes curb -cuts, sidewalks, cross -walks and related pedestrian notification/directional crosswalks and systems. E. "ADA" refers to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title 42 U.S.C. §§12131 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 35. F. "ADA standards" means: (1) with regard to existing City Roads that have not been altered since January 26, 1992, the standard is that contained in 28 C.F.R § 35.150(a), (i.e., when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with 2 03- 350 de 12 O & Marko TELEPHONE 3051285-2000 3001 S.W. 3Ro AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FAcsimELE 3051285-5555 01/16/2003 14:27 FAX 1302655555 ur, i.n u s NAII.Au ,j,, , 3of12 Case No. 02-21413 Civ-Moreno/Garber disabilities). (2) with regard to new construction on City Roads that have been altered since January 26, 1992, the standard is that contained in 28 C.F.R § 35.151(b), (i.e., to the maximum extent feasible, be altered in such manner that the altered portion of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities). G. "Commercial Areas" are those in the City of Miami which contain any establishment where business or government is conducted that serves the public, and areas immediately adjacent thereto, including those City Roads that are zoned for any business, educational, religious, office, or commercial use. H. `Parks" refers to all public parks within the City of Miami. The "effective date" of this Agreement is the date after approved by the City Commission and the Mayor has either signed the approval or the ten day period to veto has expired, and the Court enters on Order of Dismissal of the claims against the City of Miami. 2. Terms of the Agreement A. The City of Miami will, over a period of eight years from the date of dismissal of this action, expend $ 4.5 million to improve the City -owned curb cuts and sidewalks and related areas relevant to pedestrian activity by persons with disabilities within the City of Miami, specifically on City Roads in the Commercial Areas as well as all public rights-of-way in and around the Parks, in accordance with the ADA standards described in paragraph IF, above and in accordance with this Agreement. 3 de la O & Marko TELEPHONE 305285-2000 3001 SW. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FACstmiu 305285-5555 03 350 Uli 16/ ZUU3 14. Z r M1 IOU44000000 4 of 12 Case No. 02-2,.,,.j Civ-Moreno/Garber B. In addition to Defendant's commitment to improve the Commercial Areas and Parks, Defendant shall also improve access on the public rights-of-way on Mary Street in Coconut Grove. Within one (1) year of the effective date of this Agreement, Plaintiffs and Defendant will diligently attempt to obtain written consent of the property owners on Mary Street in Coconut Grove, from Bird Road to Tiger Tail, for the placement of a sidewalk, on either side of the street. The City of Miami will make reasonable efforts to obtain this consent, including signing correspondence on the letterhead of the City of Miami directed to the property owners advising them of the intention to place a sidewalk and requesting written consent to do so. If the parties are successful in receiving consent of the property owners in this area, the City of Miami agrees to fund and construct an accessible sidewalk on Mary Street from Bird Road to Tiger Tail with the accessible curb cuts and transitions within one (1) year of receipt of the consent of the affected property owners. If the parties are unsuccessful in obtaining consent for the sidewalk, the City of Miami agrees to install curb cuts on Mary Street from Bird Road to Tiger Tail within two (2) years of the date of dismissal of this action. If there are any public rights-of-way on the relevant portion of Mary Street, which may be utilized so as to improve accessibility, then Defendant shall do so within two (2) years of the effective date of this Agreement. C. Defendant has provided its previously prepared report of public rights-of-way in the Commercial Areas. Defendant will provide Plaintiffs with its report of the public rights-of-way in and around the City of Miami Parks within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the effective date of this Agreement. Within one hundred twenty (120) days of having received Defendant's previously prepared reports Plaintiffs 4 de IA O & Marko TxLt euONL 305!285-2000 3001 SW, 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FAcstuux 305/285-5555 03- 350 UJI lbi GUUJ ly: LO rAA 11)UO-U0001" — 5 of 12 Case No. 02-21,,,,1 Civ-Moreno/Garber will provide to Defendant a prioritized list of City -owned curb cuts and sidewalks and related areas relevant to pedestrian activity on City Roads by persons with disabilities within the City of Miami that it wants improved, as described in paragraph 1 G, above. Prior to submitting their list of priorities, Plaintiffs shall survey up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the area surveyed by the City of Miami to confirm the accuracy of City's survey and protocol. Should Plaintiffs, based on the sampling, mutually dispute in good faith the findings of the City of Miami's survey, Plaintiffs may conduct a full survey of the same areas at Defendant's expense. Defendant shall have a reasonable opportunity to remediate any difficulties in its report prior to an expert's survey by Plaintiff. In the event of the larger survey, Plaintiffs shall be entitled to a reasonable time frame in which to diligently conduct their survey. It is understood that any amount of. money in excess of the $150,000 must be very conservatively expended in such a way as to minimize any inefficiency and maximize sums available for construction and alterations. The rate to be charged by the Plaintiffs' expert shall not exceed initially $75 per hour plus reasonable inflationary increases (CPI -W) over the 8 years of this Agreement. Before any such excess expenses are incurred the Plaintiffs' expert must identify the scope of work and invoice amount in writing and provide the Defendant with a reasonable opportunity to review and object to said estimate, or any expenses would be per se unreasonable. D. Pursuant to Plaintiffs' survey, Plaintiffs shall submit to Defendant their recommended list of priorities. Defendant shall then have 180 days to respond to the proposed list of recommended changes, or they shall be deemed accepted. Plaintiffs shall have 45 days in which to review and reply to Defendant's response to 5 de la O & Marko ULIPHONE 305!285-2000 3001 SW. 3RD AVINUE. M AML FLORIDA 33129 FACSDMILC 305285-5555 03- 350 u1/1u/zuu3 iq.zo rnA 1JUJ6000J00 6 of 12 Case No. 02-2*,-. ,, Civ-Moreno/Garber Plaintiffs' survey and reported priorities. If Plaintiffs fail to respond timely to Defendant, it shall be deemed as consent that Defendant's response is reasonable and acceptable to implement. If Plaintiffs respond and decline to accept any positions in Defendant's response, then the parties shall utilize the dispute resolution mechanism contemplated below. E. Defendant shall complete at least fifty (50) percent of all identified and agreed (or otherwise ordered) modifications within five (5) years of the effective date. Defendant will notify Plaintiffs' counsel, in writing, within thirty (30) days of having reached this fifty (50) percent mark. Within thirty (30) days of completion of all work pursuant to this Agreement, City of Miami will so notify Plaintiffs' counsel, in writing. F. Once counsel for the Plaintiffs has been notified by Defendant that fifty (50) percent of all modifications have been completed, Plaintiffs may, at their discretion utilize an expert to inspect a twenty-five (25) percent sampling of particular areas within the zones which the City has advised have been completed to ensure that is the case. If the survey demonstrates that this Agreement is not being satisfied, then Plaintiffs, at Defendant's expense, shall be entitled to have their expert survey the remaining areas alleged to be completed. Prior to an expanded survey, Defendant shall have thirty (30) days in which to address Plaintiffs concerns. 3. Dismissal, Remediation, and Annual Reports A. Within thirty (30) days of the execution of this agreement, Plaintiffs shall dismiss the case with prejudice. The Court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this Agreement. 6 de la O & Marko TELEAHONt 305/285-2000 3001 SW. 3RD Av¢Nuc, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FAcstMtu. 305/185-5555 03- 350 U1/1U/ZUUa 19:Z6 rAk 1JU0460iiJa 7of12 La. a it v - .1.11\ixv Case No. 02-214 i'3 Civ-Moreno/Garber B. Defendant shall have eight (8) years from the effective date in which to fully comply with this agreement. C. Defendant shall provide Plaintiffs with an annual written report on modifications completed during the year pursuant to this settlement agreement. The report shall detail the status of the work done to comply with the agreement, identifying each area that has been renovated, the renovations completed, and issues of technical infeasibility or areas where compliance could not be attained. The reports shall be due each year on the anniversary of the date of the effective date of this Agreement. 4. Dispute Resolution Mechanism A. If Plaintiffs do not believe the Defendant is in substantial compliance with the terms of the agreement, Plaintiffs may move for an Order of the Court to compel compliance and enforce the Agreement as a judgment of the Court. In determining whether Defendant is in compliance, the parties understand that implementation of this Agreement will take substantial time to plan, design, fund, bid, and execute contracts for the projects envisioned by this settlement agreement. The parties intend to be reasonable under these circumstances. B. If an action is required to enforce this Agreement, Plaintiffs shall give Defendant specific reasons, in writing, why they believe the Defendant has not substantially complied with the terms of the agreement. Defendant shall provide a written response to the Plaintiffs' notification within ninety (90) days of its receipt. Plaintiffs shall reply, in writing, informing Defendant of their acceptance or rejection of the Defendant's response within thirty (30) days of its receipt. Plaintiffs' notice and Defendant's response thereto shall be sent to the parties' attorneys. 7 de la O & Marko TEUPRON6 305!185-2000 3001 &W. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FACSIMru 30.4/285-5555 03- 350 Ul/IU.-VVJ lY. a.J 8 of 12 Case No. 02-214"13 Civ-Moreno/Garber C. If the Parties are unable to reach agreement on any issues, the Parties agree to submit to mediation, which will be completed within forty five (45) days after the failure to reach agreement on the identified problems. If mediation is unsuccessful, Plaintiffs may declare a "material breach" and may move for enforcement. D. If an impasse is not successfully mediated, the parties may submit any disputes to the Magistrate Judge assigned to this case, or if the Court so determines, to the Court, for resolution. 5. Attorneys' Fees and Costs; Plaintiffs' Expert's Fees. A. Defendant shall pay $150,000.00 for all fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs' counsel and expert through the effective date of this Agreement, as well as for all future fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs' expert under this Agreement, unless otherwise stated herein. Payment of the above $150,000.00 shall be made in three installments; $50,000 within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Agreement; $50,000 on or before October 1, 2003; and $50,000 on or before March 1, 2004; and paid to the order of de la O & Marko Trust Account. In addition, if Plaintiffs' expert incurs expenses that exceed the above amounts, said amounts shall be deducted from the $ 4.5 million allocated in paragraph 2 above. However, any amounts to which Plaintiffs' counsel and experts are entitled for enforcing this Agreement shall be paid separately by Defendant. B. Plaintiffs shall be reimbursed their reasonable attorneys fees, experts' fees and costs in any dispute resolution proceeding if the mediator or Court, as the case may be, determines that Defendant's position was not reasonable. Such 8 de la O & Marko TELEPHONE 305!285-2000 3001 SW. Sao AVENUE, Minnil, FLOWDA 33129 FAM MLLE 3051285-5555 03- 350 U1/ lU/ ZUUJ 19: Ly kAA 1JUJLOJJJJJ 9of12 Case No. 02-21413 Civ-Moreno/Garber fees and costs, as well as any fees and costs required to enforce this Agreement, shall not be counted against the agreed $150,000.00 for fees and costs or drawn against the $ 4.5 million allocated in paragraph 2 above, but shall be paid separately by Defendant. 6. Non-admission/Non-determination. By agreeing to this Agreement, there is no admission, express or implied, that the Defendant has in any way violated the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any other federal, state, or local law, regulation, ordinance, administrative order, or rule. The Court has made no findings concerning the alleged violations contained in the Complaint. 7. Changes to the Settlement Agreement. By mutual agreement, in writing, the parties may change the terms of this Agreement. 8. Procedure for Receiving and Responding to Public Complaints. Defendant will publish an email address and telephone number on Defendant's website, informing members of the public how they can notify Defendant about accessibility concerns on City -owned or maintained roads, curb cuts, sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian notification/directional crosswalks and systems. Defendant will also place the email address and telephone number of its ADA Coordinator on its television station for a period of five (5) years from the effective date of this Agrees. Defendant will continue its policy of responding to all citizens' inquiries or comments. 9. Residential Implementation/Transition Plan. The scope of this Agreement contemplates modifications and improvements to the public rights-of-way in Commercial Areas as well as the City of Miami Parks and the referenced sidewalk on 9 de la O & Marko TELEPHONE 305/285-2000 3001 SW. Sao AVENUE, MIAMI, RLOIUDA 33129 TACSLMiLE 305/285-5555 03- 350 Ul/ lbi ZUUJ 14: JV I S:L 1JUJi OJJJJJ u v 10 of 12 Case No. 02-214 1 J Civ-Moreno/Garber Mary Street in Coconut Grove. It does not encompass any other public rights of way in areas designated as "residential." Defendant, nonetheless, will conduct a full survey of the City -owned or maintained public rights-of-way (sidewalks, curb cuts, intersections, etc.) of all residential areas within three (3) years from effective date of this Agreement. Additionally, based on its survey of the residential areas, Defendant will develop an implementation or transition plan, pursuant Title II of the ADA, to improve access for people with disabilities within the City of Miami. 10. ADA Coordinator. Defendant's Coordinator for ADA and accessibility issues is Patrice Noval. The ADA Coordinator is available to act as a liaison with any committee, advisory board or task force set up to propose, implement or monitor accessibility in the City of Miami. Defendant agrees that it shall create and maintain, within 180 days of the effective date of this Agreement, a committee consisting of members of the community chosen in accordance with the Defendant's rules and its reasonable discretion so the Defendant may enjoy input from persons with disabilities, their advocates, as well as other members of the community. The Committee shall advise Defendant on access issues. 11. Policies and Procedures. A. Within 180 days from the effective date of this Agreement, Defendant will propose policies and procedures for persons to follow in communicating complaints or issues concerning accessibility, as well as procedures for Defendant's relevant personnel to follow in receiving a complaint or concern about accessibility and addressing it. B. Defendant agrees to provide a copy of its proposed policies and 10 de In O & Marko TtLEPeoNE 305/285-2000 3001 &W. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FACSIMILE 305/285-5555 03- 350 Ul/ iu, 4:UU0 1' .JV I-,-iA 10VJ.-U0..JJ.. .,� ,. ... ...... -- 11 of 12 Case No. 02-2,1-,, 1 Civ-Moreno/Garber procedures to Plaintiffs' counsel within 180 days from the effective date of this Agreement for the sole purpose of comment and guidance. C. Within 240 days from the effective date of this Agreement, Defendant will implement the policies and procedures proposed above. Contemporaneous with the implementation of such of policy, Defendant will post a notice of its new policies or procedures in conspicuous and otherwise appropriate locations frequented by the public. The forms and locations shall include, without limitation, bulletin boards in buildings owned and/or maintained by the Defendant and frequented by the public, in public service announcements on television channels owned and maintained by Defendant, and on its website. D. Defendant agrees to appoint a person to serve as a liaison to implement the terms of this Agreement and to interact with any committee, advisory board or task force set up to propose, implement or monitor any part of this Agreement. 12. Cooperation by Defendant. Defendant shall cooperate with Plaintiffs by providing to Plaintiffs documentation or information necessary for the implementation of this Agreement upon written request by Plaintiffs. 11 de la 0 & Marko TELEPHONE 305495-2000 3001 S.W. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FAcsIMR,E 3051285-5555 03- 350 U1/1b/GUUJ 19:01 r:fA 1JU040000"' 12 of 12 Stipulated and agreed this David Everett Marko Florida Bar Number 939633 DE LA O & MARKO 3001 S.W. 3`d Avenue Miami, Florida 33129 Telephone: (305) 285-2000 Facsimile: (305)285-5555 For the Plaintiffs Access Now, Inc., Christ Tavantzis Access Now, Inc. By its President, Edward Resnick Christ Tavantzis, Plaintiff Case No. 02-1.4 . d Civ-Moreno/Garber day of 12003 H my Hun a eld Florida Bar Number 3 3811 City Attorney's Office 444 S.W. 2"d Avenue, Suite 945 Miami, Florida 33130-1910 Telephone: (305) 416-1800 Facsimile: (305) 416-1801 For Defendant City of Miami ity f Miam" By: 12 de la 0, & Marko TELEPHONE 3051285.2000 3001 SW. 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33129 FACstwu 305!285-5555 03. 350 CITY OF CITY ATTORNEYMI' OFFICE CA -11 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Alejandro Vilarello, City Attorney DATE: April 2, 2003 RE: Proposed Settlement -City Commission Agenda -April 10, 2003 Access Now, Inc. and Christ Tavantzis vs. City of Miami, et al. CASE NO.02-12413-CIV-MORENO Claim No. 012/POL/200101 The attached Settlement Agreement and proposed Resolution seeks authorization for settlement of all claims against the City of Miami by paying to plaintiffs attorneys fees and costs in the amount of $150,000 and an agreement to coordinate repairs and modifications to the streets and sidewalks of the City of Miami as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act over the next eight years in the amount of $4,500,000. This is an action brought by David E. Marko, Esq. on behalf of Access Now, Inc., and Christ Tavantzis against the Florida Department of Transportation, Miami -Dade County and City of Miami, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act relating to the accessibility of City streets and sidewalks. The City Attorney's Office has investigated and evaluated this case and has approved the recommendation of this settlement. Funds in the amount of $150,000 will be allocated from the Self -Insurance and Insurance Trust Fund, Index Code No. 515001.624401.6.651. Attachment(s) c: Joe Arriola, City Manager Elvi G. Alonso, Agenda Coordinator W853 03. 350