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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25588AGREEMENT INFORMATION AGREEMENT NUMBER 25588 NAME/TYPE OF AGREEMENT LEGAL FOUNDATION, INC. DESCRIPTION FULL & FINAL RELEASE & SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT/FUNDS TO PROVIDE FREE CONSULTATION & LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO DISTRICT 1/FILE ID: 13538/R- 23-0113/MATTER ID: 24-3158/#13 EFFECTIVE DATE ATTESTED BY TODD B. HANNON ATTESTED DATE 4/14/2025 DATE RECEIVED FROM ISSUING DEPT. 5/19/2025 NOTE CITY OF MIAMI ��� DOCUMENT ROUTING FORM U ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Office of Grants Administration DEPT. CONTACT PERSON: Malissa T. Sutherland EXT. NAME OF OTHER CONTRACTUAL PARTY/ENTITY: Legal Foundation, Inc. IS THIS AGREEMENT AS A RESULT OF A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROCESS? ❑ YES TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT: $ 41.371.61 FUNDING INVOLVED? ® YES ❑ NO TYPE OF AGREEMENT: ❑ MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT ❑ PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ❑ GRANT AGREEMENT ❑ EXPERT CONSULTANT AGREEMENT ❑ LICENSE AGREEMENT ❑ PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT ❑ MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT ❑ INTER -LOCAL AGREEMENT ❑ LEASE AGREEMENT ❑ PURCHASE OR SALE AGREEMENT ® NO OTHER: (PLEASE SPECIFY): This is a settlement for reversion of assets on behalf of District 1. PURPOSE OF ITEM (BRIEF SUMMARY): COMMISSION APPROVAL DATE: / / FILE ID: ENACTMENT NO.: IF THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE COMMISSION APPROVAL, PLEASE EXPLAIN: ROUTING INFORMATION Date Signature/Print APPROVAL BY DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR PRINT: LILLAN BLONDET,—Docusigned SIGNATURE: `-88Etow4rN APPROVAL BY BUDGET DIRECTOR ' ll l�`� PRINT: MARIE GOUIN SIGNATURE: SUBMITTED TO RISK MANAGEMENT 1//, PRINT: ANN-MARIE SHARPE SIGNATURE: SUBMITTED TO CITY ATTORNEY ,--- DS Matter ID 24-3158 PRINT: GEORGE SIGNATURE: K. WYSONG III DoneSigned by: C our . (jij _-U �'� APPROVAL BY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER C88248B.. PRINT: LARRY NG I SIGNATURE: / APPROVAL BY DEPUTY CITY MANAGER L*/7 PRINT: NAT S CO BROOK - WILLIAMS ,, /. "K/.iGK.C. u-- RECEIVED BY CITY MANAGER PRINT: ART NRIEGA, V SIGNATURE: 1) ONE ORIGINAL TO CITY CLERK, 2) ONE COPY TO CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, 3) REMAINING ORIGINAL(S) TO ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT PRINT: SIGNATURE: PRINT: SIGNATURE: PRINT: SIGNATURE y: 546F.. PLEASE ATTACH THIS ROUTING FORM TO ALL DOCUMENTS THAT REQUIRE EXECUTION BY THE CITY MANAGER FULL AND FINAL RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT This Full and Final Release and Settlement Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into by and between the City of Miami, Plaintiff (hereinafter "Releasor" or "the City"), and LEGAL FOUNDATION, INC., a Florida not for profit corporation, (hereinafter referred to as the "Releasee") entered into on the Effective Date. The Releasor and the Releasee may each be individually referred to as a "Party" or collectively. as the "Parties." RECITALS A. WHEREAS, on March 9, 2023, the City of Miami Commission approved Resolution R-23-0113, awarding Releasee One Hundred Seventy -Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($175,000.00) in Anti -Poverty Initiative grant funds to provide free consultation and legal representation to District 1 City of Miami low income and underserved residents, with a contract term of March 9, 2023 to March 9, 2024, to be governed by the Agreement executed on April 17, 2023 (referred to herein as "the Grant Agreement"), and B. WHEREAS, Releasee requested that the City extend the term of the Grant Agreement on January 26, 2024, and C. WHEREAS, within its sole and absolute_ discretion pursuant to the terms of the Grant Agreement, the City denied the request for extension and demanded return of monies due and owing to the City pursuant to Section 10, Reversion of Assets, of the Grant Agreement,which provides that the City would reimburse Releasee's agency only for service provided through and including March 9, 2024, and in accordance with Releasee's Scope of Work, and requiring all unused funds to be transferred to the. City; and D. WHEREAS, the Parties participated in settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve a dispute over the amount owed under the terms of the Grant Agreement, and as a result, the Parties agreed to resolve their dispute consistent with the terms of this Agreement; and E. WHEREAS, the Parties enter into this Agreement in connection with the compromise of disputed claims. Neither this Agreement nor any statement made, action taken, or document prepared in connection with the negotiation, execution or implementation hereof shall be deemed or construed as an admission of liability, fault, wrongdoing, misconduct or breach of duty of any kind by either Releasor or Releasee, which each expressly denies. The Parties enter into this Agreement solely to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation and to protect their respective interests; and F. WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is reasonable,entered into in good faith and for no collusive purpose; and G. WHEREAS, Releaser's counsel, if any, agrees that this Agreement shall not be admitted, or otherwise used, in any other proceeding other than solely for enforcement purposes. H. WHEREAS, it is understood between the Parties and any all payments described in this Release shall be received by the City no later than April 14, 2025 or. fifteen (15) calendar days after the Effective Date, whichever is earlier; and I. WHEREAS based on these recitals, the Parties agree as follows: AGREEMENT NOW THEREFORE, in return for the promises, consideration, mutual covenants, agreements, and conditions provided for in this Agreement, which Releasor and Releasees acknowledge constitutethe receipt of valuable consideration by each of them, and intending to be Iegally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows: 1. Settlement Payment. As good and valuable consideration for this Agreement and the releases set forth herein, Releasor shall issue the following payment; a. Settlement Pavriient to the City of Miami. A settlement payment in the total sum of Forty -One Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy -One. and 61 /100 Dollars ($41,371.61) for any and all monies alleged to be due and owing to the City under the Agreement will be paid by check made payable to "City of Miami," to fully and completely resolve all of the City of Miami's claims arising from the Agreement, including their fees and costs (the "Total Settlement Payment"). b. Timing of Payment. The Total Settlement Payment shall be made by the Releasee and received by the City no later than April 15, 2025, or received by the City within fifteen (15) calendar days after the Effective Date this Agreement, whichever is earlier. The "Effective Date" of this Agreement shall be the date the City Clerk signs and dates this Agreement. 2. Mutual Releases. a. Releasor's Release i. Except as to obligations arising under this Agreement, for the good and valuable consideration set forth in Section 1 above, Releasor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably forever releases and discharges Release; their past or present direct and indirect parents; affiliates and subsidiaries (whether or not wholly owned) and all of their respective present and former officers, directors, board members, members, trustees, agents, employees, representatives, insurers, reinsurers, shareholders, assigns, affiliates, transferees, heirs, executors, successors and assigns, franchisees, franchisors, partners, related companies, parents, present and former subsidiaries (whether or not wholly -owned), joint ventures, divisions, predecessors, successors, assigns, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and ariy and all persons, firms and corporate entities affiliated herewith, including without limitations any and all entities considered part of any released party at any time, of and from any and all liability, claims, actions, causes of action, claims, judgments, suits, damages, debts, obligations, covenants, warranties, undertakings, promises, agreements, representations, demands, Page 2 of 10 liens, defenses, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, of any kind, nature or description whatsoever, whether in law or in equity, accrued or unaecrued, known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, due or to become due,contingent or otherwise, both to person and property, including, but not, limited to, any cause of action for past, present, or future injury,wrongful death, professional negligence, legal malpractice, breach of contract, common law bad faith, statutory bad faith, or any other causes of action which may exist, which. she had, may have had, now has, may have, or can, shall or may ever have in the future, or which may in the future accrue relating to or which may in the future accrue relating to or arising from the Agreement, in any way, based upon, related to, or arising from or out of any conduct, events, controversies, or disputes occurring on or prior to the date of this Agreement, (i) which could have been alleged in any lawsuit arising from the Agreement suit and any subsequent correspondence relating to the Lawsuit; and (ii) Releasor agrees not to file any complaint, arbitration demand or any other claim: against the Releasee regarding, directly or indirectly, the subject matter of Agreement, and any subsequent correspondence relating to the Agreement. ii. Releasee acknowledges. that it, and not the Releasor, is responsible for payment of all bills, paid and unpaid, known and unknown, for any services rendered to Releasee by third parties in connection with the Agreement and is solely responsible for any obligation to reimburse any parties, governmental entities, insurers, or others, if any, who rendered any such services. b. Releasee's Release i. Except as to obligations arising under this Agreement, for the good and valuable consideration set forth in Section 1 above, Releasee hereby unconditionally and irrevocably forever releases and discharges Releasor, their past or present direct and indirect parents, affiliates and subsidiaries (whether or not wholly owned) and all of their respective present and former officers, directors, board members, members, trustees, agents, employees, representatives, insurers, reinsurers, shareholders, assigns, affiliates, transferees, heirs, executors, successors and assigns, franchisees, franchisors, partners, related companies, parents, present and former subsidiaries (whether or not wholly -owned), joint ventures, divisions, predecessors, successors, assigns, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any and all persons, firms and corporate entities affiliated herewith, including without limitations any and all entities considered part of any released party at any time, of and from any and all liability, claims, actions, causes of action, claims, judgments, suits, damages, debts, obligations, covenants, warranties, undertakings, promises, agreements, representations, demands, liens, defenses, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, of any kind, nature or description whatsoever, whether in law or in equity, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, due or to become due, contingent or otherwise, both to person andproperty, including, but not limited to, any cause of action for past, present, or future Page 3 of 10 injury, wrongful death, professional negligence, legal malpractice, breach of contract, common law bad faith, statutory bad faith, or any other causes of action which may exist, which she had, may have had, now has, may have, or can, shall or may ever have in the future, or which may in the future accrue relating to or which may in the future accrue relating to or arising from the Agreement, in any way, based upon, related to, or arising from. or out of any conduct, events, controversies, or disputes occurring on or prior to the date of this Agreement, (i). which could have been alleged in any lawsuit arising from the Agreement suit and any subsequent correspondence relating to the Lawsuit; and (ii) Releasee agrees not to file any complaint, arbitration demand or any other claim against the Releasor regarding, directly or indirectly, the subject matter of Agreement, and any subsequent correspondence relating to the Agreement. ii. ReIeasor acknowledges that it, and not the Releasee, is responsible for payment of all bills, paid and unpaid, known and "unknown, for any services rendered by third parties to Releasor in connection with. the Agreement and is solely responsible for any obligation to reimburse any parties, governmental entities, insurers, or others, if any, who rendered any such services. c. Each Party hereto shall bear its own fees, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees and costs in the negotiation, investigation, and execution of this Agreement. 3. Contested Claim. It is understood and agreed by the Parties that the payment made and accepted in compromise and settlement of claims made and denied and that the same shall not be construed as an admission of fault or liability upon the part of any of the Parties and the Parties expressly deny liability for any alleged injury to either Party. 4. Florida Public Records Laws. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, and any related records or documents, regardless of the physical form, are public records within the meaning of Florida Public Records laws. IF THE RELEASEE HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE RELEASEE'S DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED RECORDS OR DOCUMENTS, REGARDLESS OF THE PHYSICAL FORM, CONTACT THE CITY OF MIAMI DIVISION OF PUBLIC RECORDS AT (305) 416-1800, VIA EMAIL AT PUBLICRECORDS u,MIAMIGOV.COM, OR REGULAR MAIL AT CITY OF MIAtvMI OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY, 444 SW 2ND AVENUE, 9TH FL, MIAMI, FL 33130. 5. Non -disparagement. Releasor and Releasee mutually agree that they shall not slander, disparage or make any negative public statements about the. other or take any other actions that would damage the business or personal interests, reputation or good name of the other. Page 4 of 10 6. Non -assignment. Releasor represents and warrants that Releasor has not assigned or otherwise transferred, and will not assign or transfer, either in whole or in part, any claims or rights which Releasor has, may have, or may in the future acquire against the Releasee arising or in any way resulting from or relating to the Agreement, or any other matter released pursuant to this Agreement. Releasee represents and warrants that Releasee has not assigned or otherwise transferred, and will not assignor transfer, either in whole or in part, any claims or rights which Releasee has, may have, or may in the future acquire against the Releasor arising or in any way resulting from or relating to the Agreement, or any other matter released pursuant to this Agreement. 7. Entire Agreement. The Parties further declare and represent that no promise, covenants, statement, or agreement not herein referenced or expressed has been made to either Party, and that this Agreement expresses the entire agreement of the Parties relative to this subject matter, that the terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital, that there is no agreement or compromise on the part of the Parties to do or omit to do any act or thing not herein mentioned, and that the above consideration is in full settlement of any and all damages and/or claims of any nature, of the undersigned as against, arising from, or growing out of any and all matters, directly or indirectly, as aforementioned herein. No other document shall be regarded as part of this Agreement unless expressly set forth herein to the contrary. This Agreement can be amended or altered only in writing, by a document signed by the Party against whom enforcement is sought. 8. Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns. 9. Severability. If any part of this Agreement is found to be prohibited, unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then it shall be deemed severable and separable from the remaining parts of this Agreement and it shall not invalidate or render unenforceable the remaining parts of this Agreement. 10. Governing Law; Venue; Attorneys' Fees and Costs. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. Venue shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Miami -Dade County, Florida. For any dispute between the Parties arising out of this Agreement, each Party shall bear its own respective attorneys' fees and costs. 11. Waiver of Jury Trial. Neither Party, nor any assignee, successor, heir or personal representative of a party, nor any other person or entity, shall seek a jury trial in any lawsuit, proceeding, counterclaim or any other litigation procedure based upon or arising out of any of the Agreement and/or any modifications, or the dealings or the relationship between or among such persons or entities, or any of them. Neither party, nor any other person or entity will seek to consolidate any such action in which a jury trial has been waived with any other action. The provisions of this paragraph have been fully discussed by the parties hereto, and the provisions hereof shall be subject to no exceptions. No party to this Agreement has in any manner agreed Page 5 of 10 with or represented to any other party that the provisions of this paragraph will not be fully enforced in all instances. 12. Anti -Human Trafficking. The Releasee confirms and certifies that it is not in violation of Section 787.06, Florida Statutes, and that it does not and shall not use "coercion" for labor or services as defined in Section 787.06, Florida Statutes: The Releasee shall execute and submit to the City an Affidavit, of even date herewith, in compliance with Section 787.06(I3), Florida Statutes, attached an incorporated herein as Exhibit. "A". If the Releasee fails to comply with the terms of this Section, the City may suspend or terminate this Agreement immediately, without prior notice, and in no event shall the City be liable to Releasee for any additional compensation or for any consequential or incidental damages. 13. Survival. Except as provided herein, all covenants, releases, warranties, and representations made by any Party hereto to any other Party hereto pursuant to this Agreement shall survive this Agreement and shall be and remain in full force and effect thereafter. 14. No Waiver. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any of the other provisions hereof whether or not similar, nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be effective unless submitted in writing by the waiving party to the non -waiving party. 15. No Third Partv Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make any person or entity not executing this Agreement a third -party beneficiary of this Agreement, except those persons or entities who are express beneficiaries of the releases set forth herein. 16. Acknowledgment. The Parties hereby represent and warrant that each has had adequate opportunity to review this Agreement; has adequate information regarding the terms of this Agreement, the scope and effect of the mutual releases set forth herein, and all other matters encompassed by this Agreement to make an informed and knowledgeable decision with regard to entering into this Agreement; has been given sufficient time and adequate opportunity to consult with independent legal counsel as to the terms of this Agreement, the scope and effect of the mutual releases set forth herein, and all other matters encompassed by this Agreement to make an informed and knowledgeable decision with regard to entering into this Agreement; and that each has independently and without reliance upon the countersigning Party made its own analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. 17. Miscellaneous. a. No Party hereto shall pursue, commence, file, prosecute, or participate in any claim, action, suit or proceeding against any other regarding any matters settled and released hereby. This Agreement is and shall be a bar to any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, and any Party to this Agreement may plead this Agreement as a complete defense to any such claim, action, suit or proceeding brought in contravention of this Agreement; provided, however, that any Party hereto may commence an action to enforce this Agreement. Page 6 of 10 b. Neither this Agreement, nor the discussions leading to it, nor any of its provisions, terms, or conditions, nor any of the facts Or circumstances alleged in, or forming the basis of, any of the matters identified herein, is admissible for any purposes in any other action or proceeding involving the Parties except for any action necessary to enforce this agreement. c. No provision of this Agreement, or of any documents delivered pursuant hereto, shall be construed against, any Party, or its counsel, merely because such Party or counsel initially drafted such provision or document. The Parties agree that this Agreement has been negotiated and that it shall not be construed as if it had been prepared by one of the Patties, but rather as if all Parties have jointly prepared it for contract construction purposes. d. Each party has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily with no duress or coercion, after consulting with counsel and receiving counsel's explanation of each of the terms of this Agreement. In entering into this Agreement, Releasor represents that the terms of this Agreement have been completely read and explained to her by her attorneys and that she understands and voluntarily accepts them. e. Each of the Parties agree that they will execute and deliver all such documents and instruments as may be reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate the terms hereof. f This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. The Parties shall be entitled to sign and transmit an electronic signature of this Agreement (whether by facsimile, PDF or other email or electronic transmission), which signature shall be binding on the Party whose name is contained therein. Any Party providing an electronic signature agrees to promptly execute and deliver to the other Parties an original signed Agreement upon request. g. Headings or captions in this Agreement are inserted only for convenience and in no way define, limit or extend the scope or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof. h. No modification, amendment, or alteration in the terms or conditions contained herein shall be effective unless contained in a written document prepared with the same or similar formality as this Contract and executed by the City Manager, or his/her designee. i. The Parties have read this Agreement and the mutual releases contained in it, and on advice of counsel they have freely and voluntarily entered into this Agreement. [Signature Page to Follow] Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank Page 7 of 10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth above and in the attachments hereto, the Parties have caused to be executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date by their duly authorized undersigned officials below. AT I EST: odd B. Hann'en City Clerk Date: lig iava5 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: —DocuSigned by: Marge (A/Sfu ((( °8776€°FESF',d8a George K. Wysong III City Attorney CITY: CITY OF MIAMI, a municipal corporation of the State of Florida By: �("�' Arthur Noriega V City Manager April 4, 2025 1 13:47:42 EDT STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE The foregoing instrument was acknc vledaed befor ey4To n o f p si resence or O c,.,, online notarization, this"`' day of li, 2025 b •. �' .. _ _ • , as City anager of the City of Miami, a municipal corporation of the State of Florida. 5$e is personally known to me or has produced as identification. (NOTARY PUBLIC SEAL) EDITH MCCRAY Notary Public - State of Florida Commission N HH 471900 ,+ �. My Comm. Expires Dec 10, 2027 Bonded through National Notary Assn. Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment ea/4 Cral (Printed, Typed, or Stamped Name of Notary Public) Serial Number, if any Page 8 of 10 -sr,*.. i FLORID ID A, . The foregoing :,.s- i r online not.-. i.r.x. Foundation, producrc3 Ititt,EASEE: i.FA.4iAL trotrstDATY01% vc.. PFdtida stof for profit corgfafi fly; "���-��JJ. Y -a Coll Thte: President ...zg gowuncmEn } ` owledge d before me by means of physical presence or r1 Coilaza as President of Lega[ Cot prol!': personally known to me or has a : idcnti ticai;J;;, +ynature of Person Taking Acknowledgment (Printed, Typed, or Stamped Name ofNotarv _Gforiann,Lombardo :;:Serial Number, if any EXHIBIT A ANTI -HUMAN TRAFFICKING AFFIDAVIT 1. The undersigned affirms, certifies, attests, and stipulates as follows: a. The entity/individual is a nongoveifuuental entity authorized to transact business in the State of Florida (hereinafter, "nongovernmental entity"). b. The nongovernmental entity is either executing, renewing, or extending a contract (including, but not limited to, any amendments, as applicable.) with the City of Miami ("City") or one of its agencies, authorities, boards, trusts, or other City entity which constitutes a governmental entity as defined in Section 287.138(1), Florida Statutes (2024). c. The nongovernmental entity is not in violation of Section 787.06, Florida Statutes (2024), titled "Human Trafficking." d. The nongovernmental entity does not use "coercion" for labor or services as defined in Section 787.06, Florida Statutes (2024). 2. Under penalties of perjury, pursuant to Section 92.525, Florida Statutes, I declare the following: a. I have read and understand the foregoing Anti -Human Trafficking Affidavit and that the facts, statements and representations provided in Section 1 are true and correct. b. I am an officer, a representative, or individual of the nongovernmental entity authorized to execute this Anti -Human Trafficking Affidavit. FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NAUGHT. Nongov Name: Signature: nmental Enti /Individual: CO\ `-ne • el) iAOt)D Main Phone Number: ' 5j -U `i 0 Ot0 1 Q. 3 Q . rn Office Address: Email Address: Q. 1 Tit1e41 pfc s i cia- Page 10 of 10 .05 cbc