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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 31965-T1CSC No. 31965-T1 MUTUAL TERMINATION, SETTLEMENT. AND RELEASE AGREEMENT This Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into upon the date of execution by all parties herein, ("Effective Date") by and between the City of Fort Worth, a home -rule municipality organized under the laws of the State of Texas, acting by and through its duly authorized Assistant City Manager, and Harrison Aviation, LTD., acting by and through its duly authorized representatives. A. Definitions In addition to the terms defined in the body of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the definitions ascribed to them as follows: "City" means the City of Fort Worth, Texas. "Harrison Aviation" means Harrison Aviation, LTD., a domestic limited partnership, and its partners, representatives, members, managing members, officers, managers, proprietors, directors, employees, representatives, agents, subsidiary organizations, parent organizations, successor entities, assigns, predecessors, stockholders, administrators, contractors, and related companies. "Lease" means collectively the "Tank Farm Lease and Public Fueling Agreement Fuel Farm, Self - Serve Units, and Ramp Management" identified under City Secretary Contract ("CSC") No. 31965, between the City and Harrison Aviation, LTD. "Parties" means the City and Harrison Aviation, LTD. B. Recitals WHEREAS, Harrison Aviation is the City's sole Fixed Based Operator ("FBO") at Fort Worth Spinks Airport ("Airport"); WHEREAS, the City, as Lessor, and Harrison Aviation, as Lessee, are parties to the Lease which began on July 1, 2005 for the lease of a fuel farm at Spinks Airport and two (2) self -serve fueling units ("Leased Premises"), along with the associated equipment for both ("Fueling Equipment"). WHEREAS, in addition, the Lease also addressed certain management obligations of the Lessee, specifically, that Harrison Aviation manage an identified area of City's ramp space at the Airport with tie down spaces for transient aircraft; WHEREAS, under the Lease, Harrison Aviation was required to pay City forty percent (40%) of the aircraft tie -down rent ("Tie -down Rent") collected; WHEREAS, the parties disagree as to the rate that were to be charged for the Tie -down Rent; OFFICIAL RECORD Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. CITY SECRETARY 1 of 6 FT. WORTH, TX WHEREAS, In the latter portion of 2021, Aviation Department staff began a departmental audit of the Lease and identified alleged discrepancies in the reporting of transient aircraft utilizing the City's ramp tie down spaces and the amount of Tie -down Rent being submitted to City under the Lease each month; WHEREAS, after continued observation of the ramp space and review of the payments submitted by Harrison Aviation through all of 2022, the City determined that Harrison Aviation had failed, each month, to provide Lessor the required Tie -down Rent under the Lease by a significant amount each month, triggering a default under the Lease by Lessee; WHEREAS, Harrison Aviation disagrees with this determination and denies that it is or was in default of its obligations under the Lease; WHEREAS, the City began conversations with Harrison Aviation throughout the past year notifying Harrison Aviation of the obligations of Harrison Aviation under the Lease and the City's findings; WHEREAS, in the latter part of 2022, the parties agreed that the current Lease will be terminated and any ramp management responsibilities will no longer be included in any future fuel farm leases with Harrison Aviation; WHEREAS, due to the City's recent determination of the City's believed discrepancy of Tie -down Rent being paid and reported to the City, it is unknown how long such alleged default under the Lease has been occurring; WHEREAS, because of this fact, the City is unable to determine the extent of the lack of payment, if any, for the Tie -Down Rent in the past, before the City's monitoring of the ramp space which began in the fall of 2021; WHEREAS, the parties would now like to terminate the Lease in its current form and to settle any claim for damages, if any, that the City may have thereunder up to the Effective Date of the Lease for unpaid tie down fees due to the City; WHEREAS, the parties have agreed for Harrison Aviation, without any admission as to its obligation, to pay the total balance of Tie -down Rent for the time period in which the City has monitored aircraft utilizing the ramp space, that time being from the latter part of 2021 up until the end of 2022, for a total amount of $8,566.00 in which Harrison Aviation has agreed to pay and has paid in accordance with this Agreement; and WHEREAS, except as may be set forth below in the terms of the Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that the following terms and conditions shall constitute full and final settlement of any and all issues associated with non-payment of transient parking fees from the beginning of the Lease up until now. C. Agreement, Release, & Covenants NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and intending to be legally bound hereby, stipulate and agree as follows: Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. 2of6 I. Incorporation of Recitals 1. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and form the basis upon which the Parties have entered into this Agreement and are incorporated herein by reference. H. Settlement and Release of Claims 1. Harrison Aviation and City do hereby agree that the Eight Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty -Six Dollars and 00/100. ($8,566.00) which was paid in full to the City as of January 17. 2023 represents the combined agreed settlement amount between the City and for the documented transient aircraft tie down fees required under the Lease. 2. The Parties hereby COMPROMISE, SETTLE, RELINQUISH, RELEASE, ACQUIT, and FOREVER DISCHARGE each other from and against any and all claims, demands, debts, liens, costs, expenses, actions, and causes of action of whatsoever nature, description of character, whether in tort or in contract, or by virtue of the common law, statute, or regulation, known or unknown, heretofore existing between the City and Harrison Aviation, whether known or unknown, which may have accrued or may accrue, on account of, arising from, or in any manner growing out of, relating to, resulting from, or in any way connected to portions of the Lease pertaining to the payment of the transient aircraft tie down fees and any related transactions and occurrences including, but not limited to, any and all claims for exemplary damages, consequential damages, contractual damages, economic loss, attorney's fees, and any and all damages recoverable under the laws of the State of Texas and any and all other statutory or common law legal damages, known or unknown. 3. The Parties warrant that no promise or inducement has been offered except as set forth herein; that this Agreement is executed without reliance upon any statement or representation of any person or Party's release, or its representatives, concerning the nature and extent of the losses, injuries, damages, or legal liability therefore; and that the acceptance of the consideration set forth herein is in full accord and satisfaction of all claims set forth herein. 4. It is understood that this is a compromise of a disputed claim. The Parties desire to compromise and settle those matters and things set forth herein to avoid the hazard, inconvenience, uncertainty, and expense of litigation. 5. The Parties represent and warrant that they are the sole owners of the claims, causes of actions, and rights -in -action being released herein, and they have not transferred, assigned, or otherwise encumbered said claims or any part thereto. 6. The Parties hereto shall not assign or transfer their interests and obligations of the settlement set forth in this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempted assignment or transfer of all or any part hereof without such prior written consent shall be void. Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. 3 of 6 III. Termination of the Lease 1. Both parties agree that the Lease is hereby terminated and that both parties will enter into a new Fuel Farm lease in which Harrison Aviation will have no management obligations for City ramp space in any form. Such termination of the Lease shall not constitute (i) a release by one party or any liability accruing or obligation to indemnify under the Lease for any item not specifically addressed within this Agreement or (ii) a waiver of one party to enforce any unperformed duties or obligations of the other under the Lease not specifically addressed within this Agreement. IV. Miscellaneous 1. This instrument contains the entire agreement between the Parties as to the matters contained herein and the terms of this instrument are contractual and not merely recitals. There are no other agreements, either written or oral, and this Agreement supersedes all earlier representations, negotiations, or agreements about this matter. The Parties acknowledge that the covenants, promises, and representations made herein are binding on, and inure to, the benefit of each of the Parties. As a matter of clarification, nothing contained herein shall be construed to affect the enforceability or validity of the License Agreement. 2. The Parties represent that they have consulted, or had the opportunity to consult, an attorney to seek legal counsel regarding the contents and effects of this Agreement. The Parties further represent that they have been informed of the content and effect of this instrument and that the instrument is executed as their act and deed and of their own free will. 3. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held void, voidable, or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. 4. If any action, whether real or asserted, at law or in equity, arises on the basis of any provision of this Agreement, venue for such action shall lie in state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas — Fort Worth Division. This Agreement, including any exhibits, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. 5. The Parties represent and warrant that they are over the age of eighteen (18) years, competent to execute this Agreement, have carefully read the foregoing Agreement, and know the contents thereof and have signed the same of their own free will and with the advice of counsel, if applicable. 6. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. A signature received via facsimile or electronically via email shall be as legally binding for all purposes as an original signature. Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. 4 of 6 7. It is understood that by execution of this Agreement, the City does not waive or surrender any of its governmental powers or immunities. IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective on the Effective Date. CITY OF FORT WORTH HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. By: Harrison Realty Investments, LLC General Partner /� riG�/7Gti �GLY'Gl!'Gf/(/7� by: Dana Burghdoff (flay 16, 26112:56 CDT) by;0.k."l1x Dana Burghdoff Mhn Cockerham, President Assistant City Manager Date: May 16, 2023 Date: S I S 3 by: Roger Venables Contract Compliance Manager: Aviation Systems Director By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including APPROVED AS TO FORM ensuring all performance and reporting AND LEGALITY: requirements. By: Erin L. Roden Thomas R. Hansen Administrative Assistant Assistant City Attorney QF�R T D a40F0000 �,Ad J.add a,.B 90 ATTESTED BY: P„=° %a Qdnnn>exasa4 Jannette S. Goodall City Secretary ARL M&C No. 23-0334 Date: 04.25.23 Form 1295: 2023-996842 OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. 5 of 6 EXHIBIT A VERIFICATION OF SIGNATURE AUTHORITY Execution of this Signature Verification Form ("Form") hereby certifies that the following individuals and/or positions have the authority to legally bind Operator and to execute any agreement, amendment or change order on behalf of Operator. Such binding authority has been granted by proper order, resolution, ordinance or other authorization of Operator. City is fully entitled to rely on the warranty and representation set forth in this Form in entering into any agreement or amendment with Operator. Operator will submit an updated Form within ten (10) business days if there are any changes to the signatory authority. City is entitled to rely on any current executed Form until it receives a revised Form that has been properly executed by Operator. 1. Name: Position: Signature 2. Name: Position: Signature 3. Name. Position: Signature Name: Signature of President / CEO Other Title: Date: Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement — HARRISON AVIATION, LTD. 6of6 M&C Review Page 1 of 2 0 Official site of the City of Fort Worth, Texas CITY COUNCIL AGEND FORTWORTH Create New From This M&C REFERENCE **M&C 23- 55FWS HARRISON TERM DATE: 4/25/2023 NO.: 0334 LOG NAME: AND SETLMNT AGRMNT, TANK FARM LEASE CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC NO HEARING: SUBJECT: (CD 6 / Future CD 8) Authorize Execution of a Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement with Harrison Aviation, LTD. Who Will Pay the City of Fort Worth an Amount of $8,566.00 to Settle All Potential Claims Under City Secretary Contract No. 31965, the Current Fuel Farm Lease Agreement at Fort Worth Spinks Airport, and Terminate the Same Therein and Authorize Execution of a New Tank Farm Lease and Public Fueling Agreement with Harrison Aviation, LTD. at Fort Worth Spinks Airport RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize execution of a Mutual Termination, Settlement, and Release Agreement with Harrison Aviation, LTD. who will pay the City of Fort Worth an amount of $8,566.00 to settle all potential claims under City Secretary Contract No. 31965, the current fuel farm lease agreement at Fort Worth Spinks Airport, and terminate the same therein; and 2. Authorize execution of a New Tank Farm Lease and Public Fueling Agreement with Harrison Aviation, LTD. at Fort Worth Spinks Airport. DISCUSSION: On or about July 1, 2005, the City (Lessor) and Harrison Aviation, LTD. (Lessee) entered into City Secretary Contract (CSC) 31965, a Tank Farm and Public Fueling Agreement (Agreement) which included two self -serve fueling stations and required Lessee to manage the tie down parking spaces on the Lessor's ramp space. Under the Agreement, the Lessee was required to pay forty percent (40\ %) of the transient aircraft tie down rent collected at rates in accordance with the City's then published Schedule of Rates and Charges. In August of 2021, Aviation Department staff began a departmental audit of the Agreement and it was determined that the amount submitted monthly for tie downs at Spinks Airport did not reconcile with recent ramp studies conducted by Airport Operations. Due to the significant discrepancy, a default under the Agreement was triggered. After meeting with the Lessee, the parties agreed that the current agreement will be terminated and ramp management will not be included in any future tank farm and public fueling agreements with Lessee. Prior to monitoring the ramp in 2021 through 2022, the Lessor is unable to determine the extent of the lack of payment for the tie down rent, so the Lessor and Lessee wish to settle the account for the time period of August 2021 through December 2022 in the amount of $8,566.00, which has been paid in full. Upon City Council Approval, the Lessor and Lessee will execute a mutual termination, settlement and release agreement related to the discrepancies described above and also execute a new tank farm and public fueling agreement (New Agreement), which will be effective upon date of execution of the termination of CSC 31965. In alignment with the Lessee's Fixed Base Operator Permit (FBO Permit), the New Agreement will expire on September 30, 2025 with subsequent renewal terms of five (5) years each to automatically renew until such time as the Lessee notifies the Lessor in writing no less than 90 days and no more than 180 days prior to expiration of any given term of its intent to terminate, or June 30, 2045, whichever comes first. The New Agreement will also include two self - serve fueling stations. If approved, the tank farm usage fee of $400.00 per month from this lease will generate revenue of $4,800.00 annually. Rental rates shall comply and adjust with the rates http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc review.asp?ID=30961&councildate=4/25/2023 4/26/2023 M&C Review Page 2 of 2 prescribed for the premises by the published Airport Schedule of Rates and Charges. Fuel flowage fees will be paid by Lessee each month in accordance with the current Airport Schedule of Rates and Charges and the Aviation Minimum Standards. Fort Worth Spinks Airport is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 6/FUTURE COUNCIL DISTRICT 8. FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and execution of the lease, funds will be deposited into the Municipal Airport Fund. The Aviation Department (and Financial Management Services) is responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. TO Fund Department Account Project Program Activity Budget Reference # I Amount ID ID Year (Chartfield 2) FROM [Fund Department Account Project Program Activity Budget Reference # Amount ID ID Year I (Chartfield 2) Submitted for Citv Manager's Office bv: Dana Burghdoff (8018) Originating Department Head: Additional Information Contact: ATTACHMENTS FID TABLE.xlsx (CFW Internal) Form 1295.pdf (CFW Internal) Location Map.pdf (Public) Location Map Self Serve East.pdf (Public) Location Map Self Serve West.odf (Public) Roger Venables (5402) Ricardo Barcelo (5403) http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc review.asp?ID=30961&councildate=4/25/2023 4/26/2023