Laserfiche WebLink
<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCH 12, 2007 <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />the earnest money or if the City intentionally defaults, RRLD would like to have the opportnnity <br />to take the City to court if necessary. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated that since the last interim development has lapsed, the City has <br />tried over and over again to engage RRLD and the statement that the City wouldn't assist RRLD <br />is insulting. Mr. Collins stated that he doesn't see that it would happen, but in the very rare case <br />that the City doesn't do what RRLD recommends, RRLD would like to have the means to collect <br />the earnest money. <br /> <br />Chuck Diessner, Legal Counsel for RRLD, stated that he and Mr. Bubul have met many times to <br />discuss the contract. In section 12, if there is a reason for termination, RRLD has only three <br />remedies. The document is written to limit RRLD's remedies and it is written to absolve the City <br />so RRLD will not be able to recover the earnest money. RRLD is putting down 2.5 million <br />dollars earnest money and RRLD has no control over the money. The City has control of the <br />money. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated that if the GSA decides not to return the money, it is a risk <br />RRLD should take. Mr. Diesner stated that RRLD cannot take action against GSA since the <br />contract is with the City, and therefore the City should agree to assist in recovering the earnest <br />money. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead stated that the City and RRLD should be able to build a relationship so the <br />scenarios stated don't happen. <br /> <br />Mr. Collins stated that ifRRLD makes an error, they expect to absorb the risk and responsibility. <br />But RRLD doesn't have any recourse because they don't have the contract with the GSA. RRLD <br />is only asking for the same consideration that the City is getting for protection. <br /> <br />Couucilmember Holden asked for a definition of joint risk. Mr. Collins stated that RRLD <br />would bear the cost of litigation. The only cost to the City would be involvement of City staff. <br />The City and RRLD would jointly try to demonstrate that the money should be returned. <br /> <br />Mr. Bubul stated that this discussion has pointed out the difficulties the agreement has <br />encountered. RRLD has a strong interest in protecting the earnest money and the City has a <br />strong interest in being sure the City does not have any liability to the earnest money. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead asked what between now and closing could initiate the GSA declaring a <br />default. Mr. Bubul replied that he wasn't the best person to answer that; Attorney Mike. <br />Comodeca would be better suited to respond. Mayor Harpstead said the question should <br />probably be posed to Mike Comodeca. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung asked about Section C on page 8. What would be the difficulty of <br />striking "and the current list of consultants". Mr. Bubul said there would be nothing wrong with <br />that if the Council felt it was necessary. The City owns the list and with ten days notice the City <br />can make changes to the list. <br />