Vacate: Settlement Recommendation

06F-G1723-ROC · Registrar of Contractors · 2007-03-01

STATE OF ARIZONA IN THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

HEARING: March 1, 2007.

APPEARANCES: >The Complainants appeared in their own behalf. >The Respondent appeared through its sole proprietor and qualifying party, Edgar Phillip Everhard, III.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE: Robert I. Worth ________________________________________________________________

Based upon the entire record, the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Vacating and Remanding Order are made.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Following prolonged discussions between the parties at a recess taken after the presentation of a substantial portion of the evidence and testimony at the hearing, with the Administrative Law Judge remaining present, the parties concluded an agreement of settlement, the essential terms of which were read upon the record. The balance of the hearing was thereupon recessed with the mutual understanding that this tribunal shall enter its Order vacating the balance

of the administrative hearing and remanding this matter to the Registrar of Contractors, as the forwarding Department, for appropriate further action in terminating this administrative matter.

2. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the concluded settlement agreement, the Respondent agreed to pay or tender and Complainants agreed to accept a specified total monetary sum in full satisfaction of any and all claims by and between the respective parties arising under their prior dealings, such total amount to be payable in separate equal periodic installments each becoming due on or before identified deadline dates. In addition, Respondent agreed to cooperate with Complainants in obtaining its available discounted pricing for materials from suppliers for Complainants’ future use. Complainants further agreed to withdraw their filed complaint in this administrative action and to consent to the entry of an Order by the Registrar closing the within Citation as resolved and settled. Lastly, the parties’ settlement agreement expressly contemplated that any future breach by Respondent would enable Complainants to elect either to have the terms of the agreement enforced or to assert their original monetary or corrective work claims against Respondent.

3. These administrative disciplinary proceedings are effectively cut short by the parties’ entry into the above-described settlement agreement which is to be presented to the Registrar of Contractors for approval and adoption. Consequently, Respondent must be and hereby is advised that any future alleged and proven breach of the payment terms of the settlement agreement will not only constitute grounds for the filing of a new complaint or a timely petition for rehearing but also shall warrant treatment as a circumstance in aggravation.

4. It was mutually understood that the entry by the respective parties into the settlement agreement was without any admission of fault, liability or

obligation on the part of Respondent, and correspondingly without any admission by Complainants that they were not entitled to greater benefits.

5. The terms of the foregoing settlement agreement appeared to be fair and reasonable under all the circumstances, and the agreement was determined to be the product of knowing and voluntary action on the part of each party.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The policy of the law favors settlements of disputes, and adverse parties should be free to adjust their differences by entry into agreements or stipulations which should be recognized and given effect by all tribunals.

2. The settlement reached and submitted during the hearing of this matter, having been found to be reasonable and voluntarily made, warrants the termination of the instant hearing and the remanding of the matter to the forwarding agency for further appropriate action.

ORDER VACATING BALANCE OF HEARING AND REMANDING MATTER TO FORWARDING AGENCY

In view of the foregoing, IT IS ORDERED that the balance of the hearing in this matter be and hereby is VACATED, and IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case be REMANDED TO THE REGISTRAR OF CONTRACTORS for appropriate action.

Dated: March 6, 2007. OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

______________________________________ Robert I. Worth Administrative Law Judge

Original transmitted on _____________________

by: _____________________________ , to:

Fidelis V. Garcia, Acting Director Registrar of Contractors Legal Department 800 West Washington Street (6th Floor) Phoenix, AZ 85007

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Office of Administrative Hearings 1400 West Washington, Suite 101 Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 542-9826