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SvNNY ts<F Cat of Sunny sles Beach City Commission <br /> s y y George"Bud"Scholl,Mayor <br /> ° F 18070 Collins Avenue, Suite 250 Jeanette Gatto, Vice Mayor <br /> F- y ' Isaac Aelion Commissioner <br /> o 'y `%4' = Sunny Isles Beach; Florida X3160 Dana Goldman.Commissioner <br /> . .g- , <br /> �- -�"" (305)947-0606 City Hall Jennifer Levin,Commissioner <br /> (305)949-3113 Fax <br /> a '991=`` —'%or*y P Christopher J.Russo City Manager <br /> yE' F L o ‘ 5' (305)947-2150 Building Department Hans Ottinot,City Attorney <br /> c'''''of suN Pao (305)947-5107 Fax Jane A.Hines,MIMIC,City Clerk <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: The Honorable City Commission <br /> FROM: Hans Ottinot, City Attorney (' r <br /> DATE: July 16, 2015 <br /> RE: Resolution ratifying an agreement to retain Rodolfo Sorondo, Esq. and <br /> Christopher N. Bellows, Esq. of Holland & Knight to represent the City in the <br /> Appeal of Case Styled City of Sunny Isle Beach v. Calvary Corp., Case No. 12- <br /> 26693-CA-09 <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> This Resolution is presented for your consideration. <br /> REASONS: <br /> As you know, the City has filed an appeal of the jury verdict issued in the eminent domain case <br /> involving the submerged land for the Emergency Pedestrian Bridge. The primary basis for the <br /> appeal is the erroneous admission of speculative evidence by the court as outlined in the attached <br /> letter by special counsel, Sidney Calloway, Esq. Through tenacious litigation strategy over a <br /> three year period, the City was able to reduce an initial damage claim of$5.8 Million Dollars to <br /> $855,000.00. We strongly believe that this amount can be reduced further if the City is able to <br /> prevail in the appeal. <br /> To assist in the appeal, I have retained the services of the law firm of Holland and Knight. <br /> Specifically, Rodolfo Sorondo, Esq. and Christopher Bellows, Esq. will assist the City in the <br /> appeal. Both Mr. Sorondo, and Mr. Bellows are highly qualified and well respected in the field <br /> of appellate litigation. Their biographies are attached. Please note that Holland and Knight is also <br /> represented the City in the mayoral election case and the firm will charge the same rates. <br /> As a point of information, the City has filed a Motion for a New Trial before the trial court to <br /> preserve its appellate issues. The City has also filed a Motion to Stay the Judgment issued by the <br /> trial court. Consequently, the City will not be required to pay any judgment amount until the <br /> appeal is resolved. <br /> i <br />