Professional Documents
Culture Documents
This Settlement Agreement and Release ("Agreement") is made and entered into this
day of fj\ CHc\\ , 2018, by and between the City of Cincinnati
("City"), Harbour Portfolio Advisors, LLC, Harbour Portfolio International Fund, Inc., Harbour
Portfolio VI, LP, Harbour Portfolio VII, LP, Harbour Portfolio VIII, LP, Harbour High Yield
Fund, LLC, National Asset Advisors, LLC, and National Asset Mortgage, LLC (collectively
"Harbour" or "Harbour Companies"). The City and Harbour may be collectively referred to as
the "Parties" or individually as a "Party."
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2017, the City filed a Complaint in the Court of Common
Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio, in an action captioned City of Cincinnati v. Harbour Portfolio
Advisors, LLC, et al. , Case No. A 1702044 (the "Action");
WHEREAS, on July 20, 2017, the City filed an Amended Complaint ("Amended
Complaint") raising claims against Harbour and seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, and
monetary payment for outstanding liabilities allegedly owed by Harbour;
WHEREAS, pursuant to mediation held at the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas
on November 21, 2017, the Parties reached an agreement in principle and now desire to settle,
compromise, and resolve certain rights, claims, and demands asserted in Counts I through XI of
the Action and to come to a final resolution of all allegations and claims that were asserted, or
which could have been asserted, in the Action;
WHEREAS, it is understood that the consideration for this release is being provided
solely in order to compromise and avoid the uncertainty, burden and expense associated with
litigation, and does not constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Harbour or the City;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the City and Harbour hereby agree as follows:
1. Settlement Payment. In exchange for the full release of liability, and other
consideration provided by the Agreement, including settlement of any of Harbour's
outstanding fines, penalties, fees, assessments, liens and/or other costs for any
violation of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, as it relates to the properties identified in
Exhibit A of the City's Amended Complaint and which are the subject of the claims
in the Action, Harbour shall pay the City a total of $125,000.00 (One Hundred
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and zero cents) (the "Settlement Amount") within
thirty (30) days of the execution of this Agreement. The Settlement Amount shall be
paid by check made payable to the City of Cincinnati and shall be delivered to:
Erica Faaborg
Chief Counsel, Quality of Life Division
Law Department, City of Cincinnati
801 Plum Street, Suite 214
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1985
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2. Recordation of Property Conveyances. To the extent that it has not already done
so. Harbour agrees to record all deeds, transfers, or conveyances ("Conveyance
Documents") of property located within the city of Cincinnati from or to Harbour
and/or any of its affiliated entities with the Hamilton County Recorder's Office within
fourteen (14) days of any such conveyance, regardless of whether Harbour is the
conveyor or conveyee of any property subject to transfer in the future. In the event
Harbour fails to record a Conveyance Document within the prescribed time period,
absent separate agreement with the City, Harbour shall be deemed liable for all City-
imposed liabilities associated with the transferred property, including, but not limited
to, code, zoning, and use permits and related issues, Vacated Building Maintenance
License fees and associated late fees, citations, costs associated with lot abatement,
barricading, or demolishing a property, and City water service/costs, but only to the
extent those fees, citations and other costs are attributed to the period of time that any
such property has either been owned by Harbour or has been noted as being owned by
Harbour pursuant to the official records of the Hamilton County Recorder's office.
a. Harbour agrees that it shall not enter into any future land sale contracts,
contracts for deed, land contracts, land installment contracts, or other such
similar agreements ("Land Sale Contracts") with any individuals for
properties located in the city of Cincinnati unless the subject property has
been deemed habitable and fit for occupancy by the City.
b. Harbour agrees that it shall record all future Land Sale Contracts with the
Hamilton County Recorder's Office within fourteen (14) days of the executed
transaction(s). In the event Harbour fails to record a Land Sale Contract
within the prescribed time period, absent separate agreement with the City,
Harbour shall be deemed liable for all City-imposed liabilities associated with
the transferred property, including, but not limited to, code, zoning, and use
permits and related issues, Vacated Building Maintenance License fees and
associated late fees, citations, costs associated with lot abatement, barricading,
or demolishing a property, and City water service/costs, but only to the extent
those fees, citations and other costs are attributed to the period of time that
any such property has either been owned by Harbour or has been noted as
being owned by Harbour pursuant to the official records of the Hamilton
County Recorder's office.
c. With respect to any future Land Sale Contract Harbour may enter into for real
property located in the city of Cincinnati, Harbour agrees that it shall do the
following:
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i. Issue the subject vendee a letter, based on the template attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit "A", which describes the various methods by
which individuals may use City resources to research code conditions
and violations at properties located in the city of Cincinnati;
ii. Disclose to the vendee all known defects at the subject property, as
required by Ohio law;
iv. Disclose to the vendee any known liens, unpaid taxes, and/or other
public assessments; and
4. Code Compliance. Harbour agrees to bring all properties it may own, located in the
city of Cincinnati, into compliance with the Cincinnati Municipal Code and/or
transfer them to a responsible party approved by the City within 120 (ninety) days of
the execution of this Agreement, absent separate written agreement between the
Parties. Attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "B" is a comprehensive list
identifying all relevant properties and known code violations at properties currently
known to be owned by Harbour.
5. Dismissal of City Claims. The Settlement Amount is being paid as full and
complete satisfaction of any and all amounts that are, or could be, claimed by the City
with respect to any and all violations of the Cincinnati Municipal Code and any costs
incurred by the City, of any kind, up through the date of execution of this Agreement.
The City represents and warrants that it is not presently aware, and has no reason to
know, of any additional fines, assessments, code violations or other circumstances
that might create additional obligations on Harbour, except as indicated in Exhibit
"B". Upon receipt of the Settlement Amount, the City shall take all reasonable steps
required to designate as "closed" on the City's record systems any and all outstanding
claims for money in response to alleged violations of the Cincinnati Municipal Code
that the City has identified with respect to the properties identified in Exhibit "A" of
the Amended Complaint. The City shall take all reasonable steps required to remove
any liens identified in the Amended Complaint or associated with any properties
identified in Exhibit "A" of the Amended Complaint that accrued before the date of
execution of this Agreement. The City further represents that code enforcement cases
associated with properties identified in Exhibit "B" of this Agreement will be closed
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pursuant to the City's ordinary course of business when either a) the alleged violation
is resolved and/or b) the property transfers to a different "Owner" or "Person in
Control" as those terms are defined in Title XI of the Cincinnati Municipal Code.
No later than seven days after delivery of the Settlement Amount, the City will
file a Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice, in the form attached as Exhibit "C",
dismissing all claims asserted against Harbour in the Action, each Party bearing
its own costs.
7. Release. In consideration of payment of the Settlement Amount, the City does hereby
release and forever discharge Harbour. National Asset Advisors LLC, National Asset
Mortgage LLC. and their related entities, subsidiaries and successors, as well as their
officers, employees and agents, from any and all debts, claims and cause or causes of
action of any kind whatsoever whether known, unknown or unforeseen, asserted or
unasserted, past or present, or any other matters related to the facts alleged in the
Action, or with regard to any claim that could have been raised therein, including all
claims for fines, penalties, interest, damages, costs, or attorney's fees with respect to
the properties identified in Exhibit "A" of the Amended Complaint that were brought
or that could have been brought against Harbour on or before July 20, 2017.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, City shall retain any and all rights of action or claims
as created by this Agreement or which concern Harbour's compliance with city code
following the date of this Agreement,
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9. Enforcement. This agreement may be enforced by the Hamilton County Court of
Common Pleas in the Action or a separately filed suit. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of Harbour Portfolio Advisors, LLC and its related entities, National Asset
Advisors, LLC and National Asset Mortgage, all of whom are intended beneficiaries
hereunder.
10. All Parties Have Reviewed This Agreement. All Parties will be deemed to have
read the Agreement and to have received legal counsel regarding its terms.
11. Interpretation. The Agreement is to be construed according to the laws of the State
of Ohio and of the United States of America. This Agreement will be deemed drafted
by all Parties and will not be interpreted in favor of any Party.
13. Governing Law; and Interpretation. This Agreement will be governed by, and will
be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, notwithstanding any
conflict of law provision to the contrary.
14. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
15. Counterparts, Copies, Electronic Mail, and Facsimile. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Moreover, copies,
including those transmitted via electronic mail and/or facsimile shall constitute and be
deemed an original.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and settlement of
the disputes between the Parties hereto regarding resolution of Counts I through XI as
alleged by the City in Amended Complaint and in the Action, and fully supersedes
any and all prior discussions, agreements, or understandings between or among the
Parties.
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The undersigned represent that they have reviewed and hereby approve of the foregoing
Agreement, and agree to be bound thereby.
By: By:
By:
Title: gpQ
Date: if
/
By;
t
Title:
Date:
Approved as to Form:
Erica Faaborg (J
Assistant City Solicitor
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SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
yThis Settlement Agreement and Release ("Agreement") is made and entered into this
(fay I day of /VltfC fa , 2018, by and between the City of Cincinnati
("City"), Harbour Portfolio Advisors, LLC, Harbour Portfolio International Fund, Inc., Harbour
Portfolio VI, LP, Harbour Portfolio VII, LP, Harbour Portfolio VIII, LP, Harbour High Yield
Fund, LLC, National Asset Advisors, LLC, and National Asset Mortgage, LLC (collectively
"Harbour" or "Harbour Companies"). The City and Harbour may be collectively referred to as
the "Parties" or individually as a "Party."
WHEREAS, on April 11, 2017, the City filed a Complaint in the Court of Common
Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio, in an action captioned City of Cincinnati v. Harbour Portfolio
Advisors, LLC, et al. , Case No. A 1702044 (the "Action");
WHEREAS, on July 20, 2017, the City filed an Amended Complaint ("Amended
Complaint") raising claims against Harbour and seeking injunctive and declaratory relief, and
monetary payment for outstanding liabilities allegedly owed by Harbour;
WHEREAS, pursuant to mediation held at the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas
on November 21, 2017, the Parties reached an agreement in principle and now desire to settle,
compromise, and resolve certain rights, claims, and demands asserted in Counts I through XI of
the Action and to come to a final resolution of all allegations and claims that were asserted, or
which could have been asserted, in the Action;
WHEREAS, it is understood that the consideration for this release is being provided
solely in order to compromise and avoid the uncertainty, burden and expense associated with
litigation, and does not constitute an admission of any liability on the part of Harbour or the City;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the City and Harbour hereby agree as follows:
1. Settlement Payment. In exchange for the full release of liability, and other
consideration provided by the Agreement, including settlement of any of Harbour's
outstanding fines, penalties, fees, assessments, liens and/or other costs for any
violation of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, as it relates to the properties identified in
Exhibit A of the City's Amended Complaint and which are the subject of the claims
in the Action, Harbour shall pay the City a total of $125,000.00 (One Hundred
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and zero cents) (the "Settlement Amount") within
thirty (30) days of the execution of this Agreement. The Settlement Amount shall be
paid by check made payable to the City of Cincinnati and shall be delivered to:
Erica Faaborg
Chief Counsel, Quality of Life Division
Law Department, City of Cincinnati
801 Plum Street, Suite 214
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1985
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2. Recordation of Property Conveyances. To the extent that it has not already done
so, Harbour agrees to record all deeds, transfers, or conveyances ("Conveyance
Documents") of property located within the city of Cincinnati from or to Harbour
and/or any of its affiliated entities with the Hamilton County Recorder's Office within
fourteen (14) days of any such conveyance, regardless of whether Harbour is the
conveyor or conveyee of any property subject to transfer in the future. In the event
Harbour fails to record a Conveyance Document within the prescribed time period,
absent separate agreement with the City, Harbour shall be deemed liable for all City-
imposed liabilities associated with the transferred property, including, but not limited
to, code, zoning, and use permits and related issues, Vacated Building Maintenance
License fees and associated late fees, citations, costs associated with lot abatement,
barricading, or demolishing a property, and City water service/costs, but only to the
extent those fees, citations and other costs are attributed to the period of time that any
such property has either been owned by Harbour or has been noted as being owned by
Harbour pursuant to the official records of the Hamilton County Recorder's office.
a. Harbour agrees that it shall not enter into any future land sale contracts,
contracts for deed, land contracts, land installment contracts, or other such
similar agreements ("Land Sale Contracts") with any individuals for
properties located in the city of Cincinnati unless the subject property has
been deemed habitable and fit for occupancy by the City.
b. Harbour agrees that it shall record all future Land Sale Contracts with the
Hamilton County Recorder's Office within fourteen (14) days of the executed
transaction(s). In the event Harbour fails to record a Land Sale Contract
within the prescribed time period, absent separate agreement with the City,
Harbour shall be deemed liable for all City-imposed liabilities associated with
the transferred property, including, but not limited to, code, zoning, and use
permits and related issues, Vacated Building Maintenance License fees and
associated late fees, citations, costs associated with lot abatement, barricading,
or demolishing a property, and City water service/costs, but only to the extent
those fees, citations and other costs are attributed to the period of time that
any such property has either been owned by Harbour or has been noted as
being owned by Harbour pursuant to the official records of the Hamilton
County Recorder's office.
c. With respect to any future Land Sale Contract Harbour may enter into for real
property located in the city of Cincinnati, Harbour agrees that it shall do the
following:
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i. Issue the subject vendee a letter, based on the template attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit "A", which describes the various methods by
which individuals may use City resources to research code conditions
and violations at properties located in the city of Cincinnati;
ii. Disclose to the vendee all known defects at the subject property, as
required by Ohio law;
iv. Disclose to the vendee any known liens, unpaid taxes, and/or other
public assessments; and
4. Code Compliance. Harbour agrees to bring all properties it may own, located in the
city of Cincinnati, into compliance with the Cincinnati Municipal Code and/or
transfer them to a responsible party approved by the City within 120 (ninety) days of
the execution of this Agreement, absent separate written agreement between the
Parties. Attached to this Agreement as Exhibit "B" is a comprehensive list
identifying all relevant properties and known code violations at properties currently
known to be owned by Harbour.
5. Dismissal of City Claims. The Settlement Amount is being paid as full and
complete satisfaction of any and all amounts that are, or could be, claimed by the City
with respect to any and all violations of the Cincinnati Municipal Code and any costs
incurred by the City, of any kind, up through the date of execution of this Agreement.
The City represents and warrants that it is not presently aware, and has no reason to
know, of any additional fines, assessments, code violations or other circumstances
that might create additional obligations on Harbour, except as indicated in Exhibit
"B". Upon receipt of the Settlement Amount, the City shall take all reasonable steps
required to designate as "closed" on the City's record systems any and all outstanding
claims for money in response to alleged violations of the Cincinnati Municipal Code
that the City has identified with respect to the properties identified in Exhibit "A" of
the Amended Complaint. The City shall take all reasonable steps required to remove
any liens identified in the Amended Complaint or associated with any properties
identified in Exhibit "A" of the Amended Complaint that accrued before the date of
execution of this Agreement. The City further represents that code enforcement cases
associated with properties identified in Exhibit "B" of this Agreement will be closed
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pursuant to the City's ordinary course of business when either a) the alleged violation
is resolved and/or b) the property transfers to a different "Owner" or "Person in
Control" as those terms are defined in Title XI of the Cincinnati Municipal Code.
No later than seven days after delivery of the Settlement Amount, the City will
file a Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice, in the form attached as Exhibit "C",
dismissing all claims asserted against Harbour in the Action, each Party bearing
its own costs.
7. Release. In consideration of payment of the Settlement Amount, the City does hereby
release and forever discharge Harbour, National Asset Advisors LLC, National Asset
Mortgage LLC, and their related entities, subsidiaries and successors, as well as their
officers, employees and agents, from any and all debts, claims and cause or causes of
action of any kind whatsoever whether known, unknown or unforeseen, asserted or
unasserted, past or present, or any other matters related to the facts alleged in the
Action, or with regard to any claim that could have been raised therein, including all
claims for fines, penalties, interest, damages, costs, or attorney's fees with respect to
the properties identified in Exhibit "A" of the Amended Complaint that were brought
or that could have been brought against Harbour on or before July 20, 2017.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, City shall retain any and all rights of action or claims
as created by this Agreement or which concern Harbour's compliance with city code
following the date of this Agreement,
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9. Enforcement. This agreement may be enforced by the Hamilton County Court of
Common Pleas in the Action or a separately filed suit. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of Harbour Portfolio Advisors, LLC and its related entities, National Asset
Advisors, LLC and National Asset Mortgage, all of whom are intended beneficiaries
hereunder.
10. All Parties Have Reviewed This Agreement. All Parties will be deemed to have
read the Agreement and to have received legal counsel regarding its terms.
11. Interpretation. The Agreement is to be construed according to the laws of the State
of Ohio and of the United States of America. This Agreement will be deemed drafted
by all Parties and will not be interpreted in favor of any Party.
13. Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement will be governed by, and will
be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, notwithstanding any
conflict of law provision to the contrary.
14. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
15. Counterparts, Copies, Electronic Mail, and Facsimile. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Moreover, copies,
including those transmitted via electronic mail and/or facsimile shall constitute and be
deemed an original.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and settlement of
the disputes between the Parties hereto regarding resolution of Counts I through XI as
alleged by the City in Amended Complaint and in the Action, and fully supersedes
any and all prior discussions, agreements, or understandings between or among the
Parties.
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The undersigned represent that they have reviewed and hereby approve of the foregoing
Agreement, and agree to be bound thereby.
Date: ? ~ Date:
By:
Title:
Date:
By:
Title:
Date:
Approved as to Form:
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Exhibit A
city of
CINCINNATI C
L_AVV
March 2, 2018
To Whom It May
Concern:
Sincerely,
Edward Cunningham
Division Manager
Property Maintenance
Code Enforcement
Department of
Buildings and
Inspections
Exhibit B
{00249164-1}
Known Open Code Violations at Harbour Entity-Owned Properties in the City of Cincinnati
{00249164-1}
Exhibit C
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
CITY OF CINCINNATI,
Case No. A1 702044 JUDGE
Plaintiff,
RUEHLMAN
-vs-
Stipulated Agreed Entry of Dismissal
HARBOUR PORTFOLIO ADVISORS,
LLC, ET AL.
Defendants.
Harbour Portfolio International Fund, Inc., Harbour Portfolio VI, LP, Harbour Portfolio VII,
LP, Harbour Portfolio VIII, LP, Harbour High Yield Fund, LLC, National Asset Advisors,
LLC, and National Asset Mortgage, LLC ("Harbour Entities"), by and through their
undersigned counsel, pursuant to Civil Rule 41, hereby stipulate and agree, and for good cause
shown request that the Court enter as its own ORDER as follows:
Agreement"), the City and the Harbour Entities have resolved their dispute on the terms set
forth therein. The terms of the Settlement Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into
2. All claims raised by the City against the Harbour Entities in this action are dismissed
3. The City and the Harbour Entities shall each bear its own costs and attorneys' fees.
Neither the City nor the Harbour Entities shall file a bill of costs.
4. The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the terms of this Entry, including the
incorporated terms of the Settlement Agreement. The City and the Harbour Entities
acknowledge and agree that the Court may enforce the incorporated terms of the Settlement
Agreement through contempt and by order on motion, without the need for the filing of any
SO ORDERED.
Judge Ruehlman
Date: