Consent Decree

The litigation that had been commenced by the Anti-Discrimination Center against Westchester County was resolved by the entry of a Consent Decree on August 10, 2009. The decree was executed by representatives of the County and the Government, and was signed by the Hon. Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York.

The headings and bolded sub-headings that you see below are descriptive headings provided by ADC for reader convenience and do not form part of the language of the decree. All text that is revealed after clicking on a heading is contained in the decree, and no language from the decree is omitted.

Opening recitations: affirmatively furthering fair housing advances public interest
Affordable, Integrated housing patterns promote health and welfare of Westchester residents

WHEREAS, the development of affordable housing in a way that affirmatively furthers fair housing is a matter of significant public interest;

WHEREAS, the broad and equitable distribution of affordable housing promotes sustainable and integrated residential patterns, increases fair and equal access to economic, educational and other opportunities, and advances the health and welfare of the residents of the defendant County of Westchester, New York (the “County”) and the municipalities therein;

WHEREAS, the County receives federal funding for housing and community development, including funds under the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) program, the Emergency Shelter Grant program, the HOME Investment Partnerships, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program;

WHEREAS, as a recipient of CDBG funds, the County must comply with, inter alia, the provisions of the Housing and Community Development Act, including the requirement that it affirmatively further fair housing (“AFFH”) as set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 5304(b)(2);

WHEREAS, as an applicant for those funds, the County was required to certify – as a material condition of its eligibility to receive such funds – that it would AFFH;

[File under: Consent Decree]

 

Opening recitations: Westchester's authority and responsibility to overcome local barriers
Appropriate for county to take legal action against towns and villages that retain barriers to fair housing choice. Berenson and County of Monroe doctrines acknowledged.

WHEREAS, the United States and the County agree and acknowledge that: (i) pursuant to New York State law, municipal land use policies and actions shall take into consideration the housing needs of the surrounding region and may not impede the County in its performance of duties for the benefit of the health and welfare of the residents of the County; (ii) it is incumbent upon municipalities to abide by such law and for municipalities that are parties to the Urban County Cooperation Agreement to comply with that agreement, including the commitment to AFFH; and (iii) it is appropriate for the County to take legal action to compel compliance if municipalities hinder or impede the County in its performance of such duties, including the furtherance of the terms of this Stipulation and Order;

[File under: Consent Decree]

Opening recitations: miscellaneous
Background of litigation.

WHEREAS, the County was obligated to conduct an analysis of the impediments to fair housing choice within its jurisdiction (an “AI”), and obligated to take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through that analysis;

WHEREAS, for the years 2000 to the present, the County has certified that it was in compliance with those requirements;

WHEREAS, the Anti-Discrimination Center of Metro New York, Inc. (the “Relator”) filed a civil action as a relator under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq. (the “False Claims Act”), against the County to recover damages allegedly sustained by the United States of America (the “United States” or “Government”) as a result of the County’s alleged violations of the False Claims Act during the period April 1, 2000 to April 1, 2006 (the “Relator’s Complaint”);

WHEREAS, the Relator alleged in particular that the County had failed to conduct a meaningful AI and failed to take appropriate steps to overcome existing and known impediments to fair housing arising from racial discrimination and segregation;

WHEREAS, the Relator further alleged that, as a result of such failures and inaction, the County’s certifications to the United States to receive CDBG and other federal funds were false;

WHEREAS, the United States subsequently filed a notice of intervention pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(4), and filed a Complaint-in-Intervention (the “Government’s Complaint”) against the County (i) to recover, under the False Claims Act, damages sustained by, and penalties owed to, the United States as the result of the County having knowingly presented or caused to be presented to the United States false claims to obtain federal funding for housing and community development, and (ii) seeking, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5311(b), appropriate remedies for the County’s non-compliance with community development requirements, including mandatory or injunctive relief;

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) contends that it has administrative claims against the County to address some or all of the alleged conduct set forth in the Relator’s Complaint and the Government’s Complaint;

WHEREAS, the County denies all of the allegations in the Relator’s Complaint and the Government’s Complaint, denies that it has any liability relating to these allegations, and denies that the United States was damaged by its actions;

WHEREAS, the County contends that it reasonably believed that it was complying with the requirement to AFFH because, among other things, the County maintains that: (i) it actively supported and gave priority status to the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing; (ii) it undertook to analyze impediments to housing opportunities and submitted AIs to HUD in 2000 and 2004; (iii) prior to the filing of relator’s complaint, it never had its submissions or certifications to HUD disapproved or rejected; and (iv) the HUD Office of Policy Development and Research identified the County in 2005 as a community that demonstrated effective sub-recipient management practices with respect to CDBG grants;

WHEREAS, this Stipulation and Order of Settlement and Dismissal (the “Stipulation and Order”) is neither an admission by the County of any liability or wrongful conduct nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well-founded; and

WHEREAS, to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty of protracted litigation, pursuant to the terms set forth below, the United States and the County desire to reach a full and final compromise and resolution of the claims against the County in this action;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, undertakings, obligations and commitments set forth below, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 1 - Subject matter jurisdiction
Parties acknowledge jurisdiction.

Subject Matter Jurisdiction

1. The parties hereto consent to this Court’s exercise of subject matter jurisdiction over this action and personal jurisdiction over each of them.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 2 - Administrative Payment to HUD
Partial monetary relief in the amount of $21.6 million for housing units to overcome barriers to fair housing choice.

Administrative Payment to HUD

2. The County shall pay twenty-one million, six hundred thousand ($21,600,000) into the County’s account with HUD in accordance with HUD’s administrative procedures. Such payment is for settlement of the claims brought pursuant to this action and not for the financing of a capital improvement. The County shall make such payment by electronic funds transfer pursuant to written instructions that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York or HUD will provide to counsel for the County. HUD shall make those funds available to the County for the development of new affordable housing units that will AFFH in the County, provided that the County’s use and expenditure of the funds, and any program income earned from the use of the funds, as defined by 24 C.F.R. § 570.500(a), shall be subject to the requirements of the CDBG program and the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph 7.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 3 - Additional payment to settle False Claims Act allegations.
$8.4 million required from Westchester beyond relief set forth in paragraph 2, of which $7.5 million represents ADC's entitlement under False Claims Act for having prosecuted Westchester's fraud against U.S. taxpayers.

Payment to the Federal Government to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

3. The County shall pay to the United States the sum of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) (the “Settlement Amount”), in full compromise and satisfaction of the False Claims Act allegations in this action. This Settlement Amount shall constitute a debt due and owing upon entry of this Stipulation and Order by the Court, and shall be discharged upon payment to the United States, no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order. With respect to such payment, the County shall receive a credit of twenty-one million, six hundred thousand ($21,600,000) for the payment to HUD set forth in paragraph 2. The County shall pay the remaining eight million, four hundred thousand ($8,400,000) to the United States by electronic funds transfer pursuant to written instructions that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will provide to counsel for the County.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 4 - ADC attorney fees
Payment of $2.5 million to ADC's co-counsel.

Relator’s Attorneys’ Fees Under the False Claims Act

4. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d)(1), no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order, the County shall pay to Relator’s Counsel the sum of two million, five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) as expenses, attorneys’ fees, and costs in full settlement of Relator’s claims against the County. The County shall make such payment pursuant to instructions that counsel for the Relator, no later than five (5) business days prior to the due date for payment, shall provide to counsel for the County. The United States has no liability or responsibility for the payment of the Relator’s expenses, attorneys’ fees, or costs.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 5 - Additional payment to fund equitable relief
Westchester assessed additional $30 million to help fund affordable housing that overcomes barriers to fair housing choice.

Mandatory and Injunctive Relief to Develop Affordable Housing to AFFH in Settlement of Housing and Community Development Act Claims

5. The County shall, in full compromise and satisfaction of the Housing and Community Development Act claims in this action, undertake the mandatory and injunctive relief set forth below. To pursue such equitable relief, the County shall, in addition to the payment of the Settlement Amount described in paragraph 3, secure resources sufficient to ensure the equitable relief is funded by thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) for County fiscal years 2009 through 2014 for land acquisition, infrastructure improvement, construction, acquisition, or other necessary direct costs of development of new affordable housing units that AFFH as set forth in paragraph 7.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 6 - Obligations must be met from county funds
Other sources not allowed.

6. The County shall meet the funding obligation set forth in paragraph 5 solely through County funds, and not from any Federal, State, or other funding sources.

¶ 7(a) to 7(i) - Minimum of 750 units of AFFH housing required to be built
Municipal-level demographic criteria and unit distribution established. Ownership versus rental. New construction minimum, age-restricted maximums delineated. Withholding funds from municipalities. Leveraging resources.

County’s Development of Affordable AFFH Units

7. Through the use of the funds set forth in paragraphs 2 and 5, the County shall, within seven (7) years of the entry of this Stipulation and Order, ensure the development of at least seven hundred fifty (750) new affordable housing units that meet the terms and conditions set forth in this paragraph (“Affordable AFFH Units”): 

(a) No less than six hundred thirty (630) of the Affordable AFFH Units shall meet the following locational criteria:

(i) the municipality in which the units are to be developed had, according to 2000 Census data, both a “single race African-American only” population less than three (3) percent and a Hispanic population less than seven (7) percent, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters as defined by the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (U.S. Census Bureau) (“group quarters”) from the relevant population; and

(ii) the units shall not be developed in any census block which had, according to 2000 Census data, (A) a “single race African-American only” population of more than ten (10) percent and a total African-American population of twenty (20) or more, or (B) a Hispanic population of more than ten (10) percent and a total Hispanic population of twenty (20) or more, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters from the relevant population, except to the extent such requirement is waived pursuant to paragraph 15(a)(ii). 

(b) A maximum of sixty (60) of the Affordable AFFH Units may meet the following locational criteria:

(i) the municipality in which the units are to be developed had, according to 2000 Census data, both a “single race African-American only” population less than seven (7) percent and a Hispanic population less than ten (10)  percent, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters from the relevant population; and

(ii) the units meet the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph 7(a)(ii). 

(c) A maximum of sixty (60) of the Affordable AFFH Units need not meet the locational criteria set forth in paragraphs 7(a) or 7(b), provided that:

(i) the municipality in which the units are to be developed had, according to 2000 Census data, a “single race African-American only” population less than fourteen (14) percent and a Hispanic population less than sixteen (16) percent, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters from the relevant population;

(ii) no funds governed by this Stipulation and Order shall be used for such units until one hundred seventy-five (175) units meeting the locational criteria set forth in paragraph 7(a) have received building permits; and

(iii) the County shall use no more than four million dollars ($4,000,000) of the funds set forth in paragraph 5, and none of the funds described in paragraphs 2 and 3, on such units. 

(d) At least fifty (50) percent of the Affordable AFFH Units shall be rental units, of which rental units at least twenty (20) percent shall be affordable to and occupied by households with incomes at or below fifty (50) percent of Area Median Income (“AMI”), with the remainder of such rental units affordable to and occupied by households with incomes at or below sixty-five (65) percent of AMI. Affordable as used in this subparagraph shall be defined by the rent limitations for HOME-assisted units set forth in 24 C.F.R. § 92.252 (a) and (b). Such units shall be controlled by deed restrictions or other legal measures to ensure that they remain affordable to and occupied by eligible households for a period of no less than fifty (50) years. Such rental units may be converted to cooperative or condominium occupancy during the fifty (50) year period, provided that:

(i) tenants shall be given the opportunity to purchase their units;

(ii) the affordability levels provided in this paragraph are preserved; and

(iii) tenants who do not exercise such a purchase option shall not be displaced as a result of the conversion. 

(e) The remaining portion of Affordable AFFH Units shall be home-ownership units affordable to and occupied by households with incomes at or below eighty (80) percent of AMI and shall be controlled by deed restrictions or other legal measures to ensure that they remain affordable to and occupied by eligible households for a period of no less than fifty (50) years. Affordable as used in this subparagraph shall mean no more than thirty-three (33) percent of the adjusted income of a family whose annual income equals eighty (80) percent of the AMI for principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and condo fees where applicable, based on a no more than forty-year fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment of five (5) percent. 

(f) No more than twenty-five (25) percent of the Affordable AFFH Units shall be units intended for occupancy by senior citizens that are controlled by age restrictions (“senior units”). No funds governed by this Stipulation and Order shall be used for such senior units until at least one hundred seventy-five (175) non-senior units meeting all of the criteria specified in this paragraph have received building permits, and no funds governed by this Stipulation and Order shall be used for any senior unit above a total of ninety (90) senior units until three hundred fifty (350) non-senior units have received building permits. 

(g) In the County’s facilitation of the development of the Affordable AFFH Units, priority shall be given to sites within qualifying municipalities and census tracts that are located in close proximity to public transportation. No sites, however, shall be excluded from consideration because of lack of public transportation access. 

(h) No more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total number of Affordable AFFH Units described in this paragraph may be achieved through the acquisition of existing housing units, provided that:

(i) all such units shall meet all terms and conditions set forth in this paragraph;

(ii) no such units, before acquisition, may be controlled by a deed restriction or other legal measure to be affordable to households with incomes at or below eighty (80) percent of AMI; and

(iii) if any such units, before acquisition, are affordable to households with incomes at or below eighty (80) percent of AMI, they shall be made affordable, after acquisition, through deed restrictions or other legal measures that ensure they remain affordable to and occupied by households with incomes at or below sixty-five (65) percent of AMI for a period of no less than fifty (50) years. 

(i) The County shall use all available means as appropriate to achieve the objectives set forth in this paragraph, including, but not limited to, developing financial or other incentives for other entities to take steps to promote the objectives of this paragraph, and conditioning or withholding the provision of County funds on actions that promote the objectives of this paragraph. It is anticipated that the County will accomplish the objectives of this paragraph by leveraging the funds that it is expending pursuant to paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 with supplemental funds, and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the County from meeting the objectives of this paragraph by identifying and combining other affordable housing funding sources. 

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 7(j) - Twin obligations for county to litigate against towns and villages that retain barriers to fair housing choice.
Westchester mandated to use all available means to address both hinderances to building required units and to accomplish the purpose of the decree to affirmatively further fair housing.

(j) In the event that a municipality does not take actions needed to promote the objectives of this paragraph, or undertakes actions that hinder the objectives of this paragraph, the County shall use all available means as appropriate to address such action or inaction, including, but not limited to, pursuing legal action. The County shall initiate such legal action as appropriate to accomplish the purpose of this Stipulation and Order to AFFH. 

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 8 - Exclusion of units in pipeline
Units on road to being built prior to entry of decree not eligible to be counted.

8. Affordable units in housing developments that have received preliminary or final land use or financing approval at the time of the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order shall be excluded from the Affordable AFFH Units described in paragraph 7. If a development with such units is no longer viable and the County believes it can resuscitate the development by providing financing or other specified means within the County’s control, the County can seek inclusion of the units in such a development pursuant to paragraph 13(h). The County shall provide to HUD a list of housing units that are excluded pursuant to this paragraph contemporaneously with the execution of this Stipulation and Order.

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 9 - Appointment of Monitor
Government selects; Court approves.

Implementation and Enforcement of the Settlement – Appointment of Monitor

9. The Government, in its sole discretion but with input from the County, shall select a monitor to be appointed by the Court (the “Monitor”). The Government shall submit the name of the Monitor to the Court for approval within sixty (60) calendar days of the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order. 

[File under: Consent Decree]

¶ 10 - Term of Monitor's service
Role continues until County obligations satisfied

10. The Monitor shall serve for so long as the County’s obligations set forth in this Stipulation and Order remain unsatisfied. Upon the County’s satisfaction of its obligations set forth in this Stipulation and Order, the Monitor shall inform the Court, the Government, and the County that the services of the Monitor are no longer needed.

¶ 11 - If Monitor unable to serve
Selection of replacement

11. If the Monitor is unable to complete the Monitor’s term of office, the Government shall submit, after consultation with the County, another candidate to serve as Monitor for the Court’s review and approval.

¶ 12 - Monitor serves at the pleasure of the Government
May be removed by Government at Government's sole discretion.

12. The Government, in its sole discretion, may remove and terminate the service of the Monitor. In such an event, the Government shall submit, after consultation with the County, another candidate to serve as Monitor for the Court’s review and approval.

¶ 13 - Powers of Monitor
Broad authority conferred

13. The Monitor shall have all powers, rights, and responsibilities necessary to achieve the AFFH purposes of this Stipulation and Order, including the authority to: 

(a) Review all County programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with this Stipulation and Order. 

(b) Take reasonable and lawful steps to be fully informed about all aspects of the County’s compliance with this Stipulation and Order. Specifically, the Monitor shall have access to all books, records, accounts, correspondence, files and other documents, and electronic records of the County and its officers, agents, and employees concerning the subject matter and implementation of this Stipulation and Order. It is recognized that the Monitor may have access to sensitive information; accordingly, the Monitor shall limit distribution of such information obtained hereby to representatives of the Department of Justice and HUD, and consultants and personnel retained by the Monitor. The Monitor shall not have access to materials protected by the attorney-client privilege or the work-product doctrine. 

(c) Identify, recommend, and monitor implementation of additional actions by the County needed to ensure compliance with this Stipulation and Order. 

(d) Make recommendations, if needed, to the County and the Government of any remedies to foster compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 

(e) Seek outside expert technical assistance to review the County’s actions, advise the County, and develop recommendations for County action. The County and HUD shall explore the availability of private funding to support such technical assistance. 

(f) Employ, in accordance with paragraph 17(b), personnel necessary to assist in the proper discharge of the Monitor’s duties, including but not limited to a housing advisor. 

(g) Apply to the Court, upon reasonable notice to the County and the Government, for such assistance as may be necessary to the performance of the Monitor’s duties. The Monitor shall provide the Government and the County with copies of the application and all accompanying materials. 

(h) Deem units otherwise excluded from the AFFH Affordable Units pursuant to paragraph 8 as AFFH Affordable Units based on compelling evidence provided by the County that, even though the units are in a development that previously received preliminary or final land use or financing approval, the development is no longer viable and the County can resuscitate the development in a manner that complies with the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph 7 by providing financing or other specified means within the County’s control.

¶ 14 - Monitor's role in dispute resolution
Alternative to seeking direct court intervention pursuant to paragraph 58

14. The Monitor shall have the authority to resolve disputes between the County and the Government: 

(a) At all stages, the County and the Government pledge good faith to resolve their disputes with regard to the implementation of this Stipulation and Order. 

(b) In the event such efforts fail to resolve the dispute, the County and the Government shall, in writing and in accordance with such procedures as the Monitor may establish, notify the Monitor of the dispute. 

(c) The Monitor shall, within a reasonable time from receiving such notification, issue to the County and the Government a written report and recommendation addressing the matter(s) in dispute. 

(d) Within ten (10) business days of receipt of the Monitor’s report and recommendation, the County or the Government may seek additional review from the magistrate judge assigned to this case; otherwise, the Monitor’s resolution shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Should the County or the Government seek such additional review from the assigned magistrate judge, the relevant provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules and the Court’s Individual Rules governing reports and recommendations from a magistrate judge shall apply.

¶ 15 - Procedure for modifying certain terms of decree
Taking into account 2010 Census data and remedying distribution of units that does not affirmatively further fair housing among changes that can be made or sought by Monitor (subparagraph a) or by the Government (subparagraph f).

15. The Government and the County understand that the nature of real estate development, especially in the context of developing affordable housing, depends on a number of factors that cannot always be predicted or controlled. To address those uncertainties of real estate development, the Monitor, consistent with the terms of paragraphs 28, 29, 39 and 40, shall conduct an assessment of the County’s efforts and progress related to the obligations set forth in this Stipulation and Order, particularly those described in paragraph 7, to be completed on December 31, 2011 and every two years thereafter until the expiration of the Stipulation and Order. In making such an assessment, the Monitor may consider any information appropriate to determine whether the County has taken all possible actions to meet its obligations under this Stipulation and Order, including, but not limited to, exploring all opportunities to leverage funds for the development of the Affordable AFFH Units, promoting inclusionary and other appropriate zoning by municipalities by offering incentives, and, if necessary, taking legal action. 

(a) For one hundred eighty (180) calendar days following each such assessment, the Monitor shall have the authority, after having first secured the written consent of the Government and the County, to modify or refine:

(i) paragraph 5 to the sole extent of specifying an allocation of the resources specified therein among uses such as the purchase of land, infrastructure improvements, construction, or other necessary development activities;

(ii) the applicability of sub-paragraph 7(a)(ii) to the sole extent of authorizing development of Affordable AFFH Units in census blocks otherwise precluded by that sub-paragraph upon a written finding by the Monitor that to do so would not be inconsistent with the purpose of this Stipulation and Order to AFFH;

(iii) the locational criteria set forth in sub-paragraph 7(a), in the event that the Monitor determines that such locational criteria do not serve the purpose of the Stipulation and Order to AFFH, to take into account 2010 Census data in the determination of eligible municipalities and census blocks set forth in paragraphs 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), or to remedy a concentration or other issue related to the geographic distribution of the Affordable AFFH Units that does not serve the purpose of the Stipulation and Order to AFFH, except no municipality included under the calculations set forth in paragraphs 7(a), 7(b), or 7(c) shall be excluded after modification or refinement to those subdivisions;

(iv) the terms, conditions and criteria set forth in sub-paragraphs 7(d) and 7(e) that govern the development of Affordable AFFH Units;

(v) the benchmarks described in paragraph 23 and the interim or final time frames in which the Affordable AFFH Units must be developed, provided that the Monitor determines that the County has employed best efforts and has taken all appropriate actions within its control to meet its obligations, but, due to factors outside of the County’s control, the County will not be able to meet those obligations;

(vi) the number of Affordable AFFH Units described in paragraph 7, provided that: (A) such modification or refinement occurs no earlier than four years following the entry of the Stipulation and Order, and no earlier than two years after the Monitor has first modified or refined the final time frames in which the Affordable AFFH Units must be developed; and (B) the County has provided compelling evidence and the Monitor finds that the County has taken all appropriate actions to meet the obligations set forth in paragraph 7, further extension of the time frames will not be sufficient to permit the possible satisfaction of the County’s obligations, and specific factors beyond the County’s influence or control exist that preclude the County’s satisfaction of its obligations; and

(vii) the AFFH obligations described in paragraph 33. 

(b) The Monitor, however, shall have no authority to modify or refine any other provisions of this Stipulation and Order. 

(c) The Monitor shall provide the Government and the County written notification of any proposed modifications or refinements, upon recommendation of either the Government or the County or in the Monitor’s discretion, and all decisions concerning those proposed modifications or refinements. 

(d) In the event that the Government and the County provide the requisite consent, modifications or refinements approved by the Monitor shall be submitted to the Court to be so-ordered and incorporated into this Stipulation and Order. 

(e) The County, within ten (10) business days of receipt of notice pursuant to sub-paragraph 15(c), may seek review with the magistrate judge assigned to this case where the Government has refused to provide consent or the Monitor has refused to approve a proposal from the County. Should the County seek such review with the assigned magistrate judge, the relevant provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, and the Court’s Individual Rules governing reports and recommendations from a magistrate judge shall apply. 

(f) The Government, within twenty (20) business days of receipt of notice pursuant to sub-paragraph 15(c), may seek review with the magistrate judge assigned to this case where the County has refused to provide consent or the Monitor has refused to approve a proposal from the Government. Should the Government seek such review with the assigned magistrate judge, the relevant provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, and the Court’s Individual Rules governing reports and recommendations from a magistrate judge shall apply.

¶ 16 - County cooperation with Monitor
Provision of documents and submission to interviews required.

16. The County shall direct all County officers, employees, agents, and consultants to cooperate fully with the Monitor concerning any matter within the Monitor’s jurisdiction as set forth in this Stipulation and Order, including providing any documents requested by the Monitor and submitting to interviews by the Monitor.

¶ 17 - Payment of Monitor
Annual limits established.

17. The County shall, out of funds exclusive of the amounts identified in paragraphs 2-5, 33(h) and 38, pay for the Monitor and all necessary personnel and consultants retained by the Monitor to assist in the proper discharge of the Monitor’s duties. The Monitor and any persons retained by the Monitor shall receive reasonable compensation comparable to that received by personnel and consultants of similar skill and experience, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses necessary to the performance of the Monitor’s role. 

(a) On a monthly basis, the Monitor shall submit to the County an itemized invoice, with supporting material, for services and expenses. The Monitor shall also certify that the Monitor’s expenses were reasonably incurred. The County shall have ten (10) business days from receipt in which to contest the invoice by filing a written objection with the Monitor. If the Monitor and the County are unable to resolve any objections, the Monitor shall refer the matter to the assigned magistrate judge for decision. If no objection is submitted, the County shall pay all amounts due within fifteen (15) business days of receipt and, if a written objection is filed, all amounts not in dispute shall be paid as provided above. 

(b) During the first two years following the entry of this Stipulation and Order, the Monitor shall incur no more than $250,000 in annual fees and expenses for which the County is responsible, and no more than $175,000 in such fees and expenses annually thereafter, provided that the Monitor may make an application to the magistrate judge to incur fees and expenses for which the County shall be responsible beyond those amounts upon a showing by the Monitor that such fees are appropriate to fulfill the obligations set forth in this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 18 - Implementation Plan mandatory; intended to control all development
County required to produce promptly.

The County’s Implementation Plan, Benchmarks, Additional Obligations to AFFH, and AI

18. The County shall, within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days of the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order, provide to the Monitor and the Government a plan setting forth with specificity the manner in which the County plans to implement the provisions of this Stipulation and Order, set forth in paragraph 7, concerning the development of Affordable AFFH Units (the “implementation plan”).  Provided that the Government, in its sole discretion, provides written consent, the Monitor may extend the deadline once for the submission of the implementation plan. 

¶ 19 - Implementation Plan must include timetables and benchmarks
Semi-annual at first, then annually.

19. The implementation plan shall include, inter alia, proposed timetables and benchmarks for the first six-month and one-year periods and for each year thereafter. 

¶ 20 - Monitor's mandatory duty to review and change Implementation Plan
Where County draft plans twice fail to meet the objectives and term of the consent decree, Monitor obligated to revise plan.

20. Upon receipt of the County’s proposed implementation plan, the Monitor shall review it and, in the Monitor’s discretion and based upon such outside expertise and consultants as the Monitor deems necessary, accept or reject the proposed plan. In the event that the Monitor rejects the County’s implementation plan: 

(a) The Monitor shall, within twenty (20) calendar days of rejecting the plan, meet with the County and the Government. 

(b) At that meeting, the Monitor shall identify with specificity the deficiencies that led to the rejection and potential cures that should be incorporated into the implementation plan. 

(c) The County shall have ten (10) business days after that meeting to submit to the Monitor a revised implementation plan for the Monitor’s review and acceptance or rejection. 

(d) In the event that the Monitor deems the revised plan submitted by the County insufficient to accomplish the objectives and terms set forth in this Stipulation and Order, the Monitor shall specify revisions or additional items that the County shall incorporate into its implementation plan. 

¶ 21 Incorporation of Implementation Plan into County analysis of impediments
Another mandatory obligation.

21. Following the Monitor’s approval and acceptance of the implementation plan, the County shall incorporate the implementation plan into its AI.

¶ 22 - Elements of crafting an Implementation Plan
Mandatory obligation to assess how to maximize the development of units on Census blocks with lowest concentrations of African-Americans and Latinos among mandatory activities.

22. In developing the implementation plan, the County shall, among other activities it deems appropriate and in consultation with the Monitor: 

(a) Assess the availability of vacant land suitable for development and adaptive reuse opportunities in the municipalities that meet the locational criteria described in paragraphs 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), with consideration given to the way in which the available sites provide or have the potential to provide access to services and facilities that will promote sustainable, inclusive communities, such as employment and educational opportunities, medical and other family services, and public transportation. 

(b) Conduct meetings with developers (for-profit and non-profit) and property owners (including office park owners) to determine their interest in furthering developments that will AFFH. 

(c) Conduct meetings with key local officials in each of the municipalities that meet the locational criteria set forth in paragraph 7(a) to explore potential development opportunities. 

(d) Conduct meetings with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the New York State Housing Finance Agency to explore opportunities for targeted state financing for projects that will implement the provisions of this Stipulation and Order Settlement, as well as other forms of state assistance. 

(e) Explore and implement mechanisms by which the monies made available pursuant to paragraphs 2, 3 and 5, and proceeds from the expenditure of those funds, can be placed in a revolving fund dedicated to the development of Affordable AFFH Units. To the extent there are obstacles to doing so, the County shall identify the obstacles in writing to the Monitor and any steps that can be taken to overcome the obstacles. 

(f) Assess the means by which the County can maximize the development of Affordable AFFH Units in the eligible municipalities and census blocks with the lowest concentrations of African American and Hispanic residents. 

¶ 23 - Interim benchmarks
Annual minimums for units to have financing in place and units to have building permits.

23. To ensure the satisfaction of the goals set forth in paragraph 7, the County shall meet the following interim benchmarks: 

By end of
calendar year

Sites with financing
in place
(number of units)

Units with
building permits

2010

 

 

2011

100

50

2012

200

125

2013

300

225

2014

450

350

2015

600

525

2016

750

750

 
¶ 24 - Implementation Plan elements can be incorporated into Consent Decree
Paragraph contemplates that Monitor can designate an unlimited number of elements of Implementation Plan as provisions of decree enforceable like other provisions.

24. The County’s implementation plan shall include the benchmarks set forth in paragraph 23 and specify steps and activities that will be needed to meet those benchmarks. The Monitor, upon acceptance of the County’s implementation plan, may designate any elements of the plan as benchmarks that shall be incorporated into this Settlement and shall be enforceable in the same fashion as the other terms of this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 25 - Additional elements of Implementation Plan
Required elements include but are not limited to creation of "Model Ordinance," ban on local residency requirements and preferences, and implementation of consent decree by through municipal land use regulations.

25. To facilitate the development of the Affordable AFFH Units, the County shall include in the implementation plan: 

(a) A “model ordinance” that the County will promote to municipalities to advance fair housing.  The model ordinance shall include, inter alia:

(i) a model inclusionary housing ordinance that requires new development projects to include a certain percentage of affordable units, including criteria and standards for the affordable housing units and definitions of who is eligible for affordable housing;

(ii) standards for affirmative marketing of new housing developments to ensure outreach to racially and ethnically diverse households;

(iii) standards for expedited review of proposals for affordable housing that AFFH including procedures for streamlining the approval process for the design, permitting, and development of these units; and

(iv) standards for legal mechanisms to ensure continued affordability of new affordable units. 

(b) A CDBG allocation process/plan designed to promote activities that AFFH, including such steps as providing priority to projects that further the development of AFFH affordable housing units as set forth in paragraph 7, and providing incentives and priority to municipalities throughout the County that take actions that further fair housing. 

(c) A commitment to amend County Law to eliminate a municipality’s right of “first refusal” with respect to Fair Housing or Affordable Housing land purchases by the County. 

(d) A policy to condition, as appropriate, the use of public funds and resources, including, but not limited to, CDBG funds and the County Open Space funds, by municipalities on commitments included in the funding agreement between the County and the municipalities that the municipalities shall, inter alia:

(i) ban local residency requirements and preferences and other selection preferences that do not AFFH;

(ii) offer the County a “right of first refusal” to retain and/or purchase land acquired in rem to be used for affordable housing that AFFH; and

(iii) actively further implementation of this Stipulation and Order through their land use regulations and other affirmative measures to assist development of affordable housing. 

¶ 26 - Amendments to Implementation Plan
County proposals subject to Monitor approval.

26. The County may propose amendments to the implementation plan, which shall be subject to the Monitor’s review and approval pursuant to paragraph 20. 

¶ 27 - Amendment of Long Range Land Use Policies
Required within 120 days of entry of decree.

27. The County shall, within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days of the entry of this Stipulation and Order, amend the Long Range Land Use Policies as contained in Westchester 2025 to embody the goals of this Stipulation and Order, as well as the substantive provisions of the model ordinance described in paragraph 25(a) and the policy statement adopted pursuant to paragraph 31. 

¶ 28 - Requirement of quarterly reports
County required to detail its compliance efforts.

28. The County shall, beginning March 31, 2010, prepare reports for the Monitor and the Government on a quarterly basis providing all information the County believes is relevant to its implementation efforts and all information deemed necessary by the Monitor. The Monitor shall, no later than February 1, 2010, prepare a template report for the County to follow. In addition to all items identified by the County and the Monitor, the quarterly reports shall include: 

(a) the location of the Affordable AFFH Units (i) for which there are sites with financing in place, (ii) which are under construction, and (iii) which are completed, and the racial and ethnic demographic information of the municipality and the census block in each location; and 

(b) racial and ethnic demographic information of the occupants of the Affordable AFFH Units. 

¶ 29 - County notification of factors out of its control
Prompt notification required where County claims that market conditions or other factor have prevented it from meeting its obligations.

29. If the County believes that market conditions or other circumstances outside of the County’s influence or control will prevent it, or have prevented it, from meeting its obligations under this Stipulation and Order, the County shall, as soon as possible, but in no event later than the submission of its next quarterly report, notify the Monitor in writing. The County’s submission shall provide sufficient information for the Monitor to assess the obstacles to compliance, the County’s actions, and the results of those actions. 

¶ 30 - County reports to be public
No reports produced pursuant to decree permitted to be withheld.

30. All reports prepared by the County pursuant to this Stipulation and Order shall be publicly available. 

¶ 31 - County acknowledgment of importance of affirmatively furthering fair housing and broad action steps required
Elimination of de facto residential segregation required to be goal of every County housing program and policy; additional acknowledgments regarding AFFH.

31. The County acknowledges the importance of AFFH, and shall adopt, within ninety (90) calendar days after the date of the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order, a policy statement providing that: 

(a) the elimination of discrimination, including the present effects of past discrimination, and the elimination of de facto residential segregation are official goals of the County’s housing policies and programs; 

(b) AFFH significantly advances the public interest of the County and the municipalities therein; and 

(c) the location of affordable housing is central to fulfilling the commitment to AFFH because it determines whether such housing will reduce or perpetuate residential segregation. 

¶ 32 - Requirement of Analysis of Impediments satisfactory to HUD
Original due date: November 2009. AI must include, among other things, analysis of, and appropriate actions to overcome, municipal resistance to the development of affordable housing.

32. The County shall complete, within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days of the entry of this Stipulation and Order, an AI within its jurisdiction that complies with the guidance in HUD’s Fair Housing Planning Guide, see U.S. Dept. of HUD, Fair Housing Planning Guide (1996).  The AI must be deemed acceptable by HUD.  The County shall take all actions identified in the AI.  In the AI, the County shall: 

(a) commit to collecting data and undertaking other actions necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Stipulation and Order; and 

(b) identify and analyze, inter alia:

(i) the impediments to fair housing within its jurisdiction, including impediments based on race or municipal resistance to the development of affordable housing;

(ii) the appropriate actions the County will take to address and overcome the effects of those impediments; and

(iii) the potential need for mobility counseling, and the steps the County will take to provide such counseling as needed. 

¶ 33 - Additional obligations to affirmatively further fair housing
Nine requirements set forth, including affirmatively marketing units to families in New York City and promoting legislation to ban discrimination based on lawful source of income.

33. As part of its additional obligations to AFFH, the County also shall: 

(a) solicit CDBG proposals that would AFFH from community leaders, public interest groups, and others; 

(b) advertise the rights of all persons to fair housing and avenues to redress allegations of housing discrimination, including informing the public that complaints may be filed with the Westchester County Human Rights Commission (“HRC”) and requiring County agents to refer housing discrimination complaints and any information about possible violations of fair housing laws to the HRC and to HUD; 

(c) create and fund campaigns to broaden support for fair housing and to promote the fair and equitable distribution of affordable housing in all communities, including public outreach specifically addressing the benefits of mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically integrated communities; 

(d) educate realtors, condominium and cooperative boards, and landlords with respect to fair and affordable housing activities; 

(e) affirmatively market affordable housing within the County and in geographic areas with large non-white populations outside, but contiguous or within close proximity to, the County, and include in all agreements between the County and a developer requirements that the developer meet these same affirmative marketing requirements and hire consultant(s) to carry out outreach activities, where appropriate; 

(f) centralize the intake of potential home buyers for affordable housing that AFFH, working in conjunction with local not-for-profit organizations and community organizations, and through that centralized service provide, inter alia, information concerning home-buyer counseling, community resources, job data by municipality, affordable housing developments under construction and in development; 

(g) promote, through the County Executive, legislation currently before the Board of Legislators to ban “source-of-income” discrimination in housing; 

(h) pay for consultants and public education, outreach, and advertising to AFFH, as described in this paragraph, out of County resources and CDBG funds over five years, exclusive of the amounts set forth in paragraphs 2, 3 and 5, in an amount not less than four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000); and 

(i) incorporate each undertaking set forth in this paragraph in the County’s AI. 

¶ 34 - Penalties for non-payment and non-compliance
Remedies where County fails to pay funds required pursuant to Consent Decree.

Penalties for Non-Payment and Non-Compliance

34. The County shall be in default of this Stipulation and Order if it fails to make the payment set forth in Paragraph 3 on or before its due date. The United States shall provide written notice of the default, and the County shall have an opportunity to cure such default within five (5) business days from the date of its receipt of the notice. Notice of default shall be sent by e-mail and overnight mail to the undersigned attorneys for the County. If the County fails to cure the default within five (5) business days, the Settlement Amount shall be immediately due and payable, and interest shall accrue at the rate of twelve (12) percent per annum compounded daily from the date of default on the remaining unpaid principal balance. The County shall consent to a Consent Judgment in the amount of the unpaid balance, and the United States, at its option, may: 

(a) rescind this Stipulation and Order and reinstate the Government’s Complaint-in-Intervention filed in this action; 

(b) seek specific performance of the Stipulation and Order; 

(c) offset the remaining unpaid balance from any amounts due and owing the County by any department, agency or agent of the United States at the time of default; or 

(d) exercise any other rights granted by law, or under the terms of this Stipulation and Order, or recognizable at common law or in equity. 

¶ 35 - No contesting of offset imposed or collection action taken
County right to challenge Government effort to enforce paragraph 34 waived.

35. The County shall not contest any offset imposed nor any collection action undertaken by the United States pursuant to paragraph 34, either administratively or in any state or federal court. 

¶ 36 - Payment of costs of collection and enforcement
Such costs of the Government in securing compliance with paragraph 34, including attorneys' fees, to be borne by County.

36. The County shall pay the United States all reasonable costs of collection and enforcement under paragraph 34, including attorneys’ fees and expenses. 

¶ 37 - Certain defenses barred
If Government rescinded Consent Decree, County couldn't raise certain defenses that arose after entry of Consent Decree.

37. In the event that the United States opts to rescind this Stipulation and Order, the County expressly agrees not to plead, argue, or otherwise raise any defenses under the theories of statute of limitations, laches, estoppel, or similar theories, to any civil or administrative claims that relate to the allegations in the Government’s Complaint, except to the extent those defenses were available on the date of entry of this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 38 - Penalties for failure to meet benchmarks or other development requirements
Monthly payments to further affordable housing that AFFHs to be made available by County where it falls short of required number of units.

38. In the event that the County fails to comply with its obligations set forth in paragraph 7 or with the interim benchmarks for the development of the Affordable AFFH Units set forth in paragraph 23, the County shall, as further mandatory and injunctive relief, make available additional resources funded by thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), exclusive of the amounts funded pursuant to paragraph 5, on the first day of the failure, for the development of affordable housing to AFFH in addition to the Affordable AFFH Units required pursuant to paragraph 7 (“Additional Affordable AFFH Units”). If, after thirty (30) calendar days, the failure to comply has not been remedied, the County shall, for each and every month the non-compliance persists, make available additional resources funded by sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) for the development of Additional Affordable AFFH Units. The Monitor shall determine the formula for calculating the number of Additional Affordable AFFH Units required each time a specified amount in imposed penalties is accumulated. In the Monitor’s discretion, the Monitor may waive or alter the imposition of penalties or the number of additional Affordable AFFH Units required pursuant to this paragraph. In the event the County has failed to comply with the obligations set forth in paragraph 7 or with the interim benchmarks set forth in paragraph 23 by more than 50 percent, the penalties provided for in this paragraph shall be doubled.

¶ 39 - Monitor's obligations to report to Court
Frequency and content of required reports. Each report must, among other things, address lapses in County's compliance with Consent Decree and adequacy of County's Implementation Plan.

Reports to Court Concerning Implementation and Enforcement of Settlement

39. The Monitor shall report to the Court in writing, with copies to the Government and the County, as often as the Monitor believes appropriate, but no less than every six months for the first two years after the Monitor’s appointment and annually thereafter. Such report shall incorporate, when available, assessments undertaken pursuant to paragraph 15. The report to the Court shall address, inter alia: 

(a) the Monitor’s activities; 

(b) observed or substantiated lapses in the County’s compliance with the Stipulation and Order; 

(c) the adequacy of the County’s implementation plan and efforts; and 

(d) recommended steps or activities to improve the County’s performance. 

¶ 40 - Requirement for Monitor consultation
Monitor to meet with parties prior to submission of paragraph 39 reports to Court.

40. Prior to the submission of such reports to the Court, the Monitor shall meet with representatives of the County and the Government to discuss compliance issues, recommendations for corrective action, and other matters included in the Monitor’s reports to the Court. 

¶ 41 - Limited release given by Government to County
Terms set forth.

Release

41. Subject to the exceptions in paragraph 46, in consideration of the obligations of the County set forth in this Stipulation and Order, and conditioned upon the County’s payment in full of the Settlement Amount, the United States (on behalf of itself, its officers, agents, agencies and departments) agrees to release the County from any civil or administrative monetary or injunctive claim the United States has or may have under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3801 et seq., the Housing and Community Development Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5311, or under the common law or equitable theories of payment by mistake, unjust enrichment, constructive trust, misrepresentation, breach of contract, and fraud for the conduct alleged in the Relator’s Complaint or the Government’s Complaint. 

¶ 42 - HUD release of County
Terms specified.

42. Subject to the exceptions in paragraph 46, in consideration of the obligations of the County set forth in this Stipulation and Order, and conditioned upon the County’s payment in full of the Settlement Amount, HUD releases the County, its officials, and employees from administrative liability pursuant to 2 C.F.R. Part 2424 and 24 C.F.R. Part 28 with respect to any and all allegations concerning the County’s failure to comply with its certification to AFFH in connection with its participation in the CDBG and HOME programs through the date of execution of this agreement by HUD. This release does not extend to any conduct that occurs after such date. 

¶ 43 - HUD not to act against County based on allegations in complaint
Other enforcement action explicitly permitted.

43. Subject to the exceptions in paragraph 46, in consideration of the obligations of the County set forth in this Stipulation and Order, and conditioned upon the County’s payment in full of the Settlement Amount, HUD agrees to refrain from instituting, directing, or maintaining any suspension or debarment action under 24 C.F.R. Part 2 against the County based on the conduct alleged in the Relator’s Complaint or the Government’s Complaint. Nothing in this Stipulation and Order precludes HUD from: 

(a) taking enforcement actions pursuant to the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-18), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d-1), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5309), their implementing regulations, or any other appropriate non-discrimination or equal opportunity law or regulation, including, but not limited to, limiting future grant awards; or 

(b) taking action against entities or persons, or for conduct and practices, for which claims have been reserved in paragraph 46.

¶ 44 - Treatment of "unallowable costs"
Term defined and procedure in relation to unallowable costs detailed.

44. The County agrees to the following: 

(a) Unallowable Costs Defined: that all costs (as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, 48 C.F.R. § 31.205-47) incurred by or on behalf of the County, and its present or former officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents in connection with:

(i) the matters covered by this Stipulation and Order;

(ii) the United States’ audit(s) and civil investigation(s) of the matters covered by this Stipulation and Order;

(iii) the County’s investigation, defense, and corrective actions undertaken in response to the United States’ audit(s) and civil investigation(s) in connection with the matters covered by this Stipulation and Order (including attorneys’ fees);

(iv) the negotiation and performance of this Stipulation and Order;

(v) the payment that the County makes to the United States pursuant to this Stipulation and Order and any payments that the County may make to Relator, including costs and attorneys’ fees, are unallowable costs for government contracting purposes (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Unallowable Costs”). 

(b) Future Treatment of Unallowable Costs: Unallowable Costs will be separately determined and accounted for by the County, and the County shall not charge such Unallowable Costs directly or indirectly to any contracts with the United States. 

(c) Treatment of Unallowable Costs Previously Submitted for Payment: The County further agrees that within 90 calendar days of the entry of this Stipulation and Order it shall identify any Unallowable Costs included in payments previously sought by the County from the United States. The County agrees that the United States, at a minimum, shall be entitled to recoup from the County any overpayment plus applicable interest and penalties as a result of the inclusion of such Unallowable Costs in any such payments. Any payments due shall be paid to the United States pursuant to the direction of the Department of Justice and/or the affected agencies. The United States reserves its rights to disagree with any calculations submitted by the County regarding any Unallowable Costs included in payments previously sought by the County, or the effect of any such Unallowable Costs on the amount of such payments. 

(d) Nothing in this Stipulation and Order shall constitute a waiver of the rights of the United States to audit, examine, or re-examine the County’s books and records to determine that no Unallowable Costs have been claimed in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph

¶ 45 - County gives general release to Government
Release without limitation provided.

45. The County agrees to release the United States, its agencies, departments, employees, servants, and agents from any claims (including attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses of every kind and however denominated), that the County has asserted, could have asserted, or may assert in the future against the United States or its agencies, departments, employees, servants, and agents related to the matters covered by the Government’s Complaint, and the United States’ investigation and prosecution thereof and this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 46 - Limitations on Government releases of County
Limitations include County liability under Internal Revenue Code and for conduct other than that alleged in complaint.

46. Notwithstanding the releases given in paragraphs 41 and 43, or any other term of this Stipulation and Order, the United States does not release or discharge the County, including the County’s employees, agents, representatives, subdivisions, and agencies, from: 

(a) any liability arising under the Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 of the United States Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder; 

(b) except as explicitly stated in this Stipulation and Order, any administrative liability, including the suspension and debarment rights of any federal agency; 

(c) any liability to the United States (or its agencies) for any conduct other than the conduct alleged in the Government’s Complaint; or 

(d) any obligations created by this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 47 - Consent Decree for benefit of parties only
No implicit release of claims against others.

Miscellaneous Provisions

47. This Stipulation and Order is intended to be for the benefit of the parties to this Stipulation and Order only, and by this instrument the parties to this Stipulation and Order do not release any claims against any other person or entity, except as expressly provided by this Stipulation and Order. 

¶ 48 - Funds provided must be County funds
Payments to satisfy Consent Decree obligations cannot come from federal programs, grants, or contracts.

48. None of the amounts that the County must pay pursuant to paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 33(h), or 38, except to the extent specified in those paragraphs, shall come from funds received by the County from any federal programs, grants or contracts, and the County certifies and warrants that such payment is not being and shall not be made from any such federal funds. 

¶ 49 - Record retention
County to retain records relating to conduct alleged in complaint for six years.

49. The County will retain all material records relating to the conduct alleged in the Government’s Complaint in their original form for no less than six (6) years after the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order. Before the expiration of the six-year period and before disposing of any records covered by this paragraph, the County will consult with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York concerning the continuing need for preserving such records. The County shall make such records, subject to redactions of privileged material, available to the United States upon written request. 

¶ 50 - Costs and attorneys' fees
Government and County to each bear their own costs and attorneys' fees.

50. Each party to this Stipulation and Order shall bear its own legal and other costs incurred in connection with this matter, including costs incurred in connection with the preparation and performance of this Stipulation and Order, except as provided in paragraph 4. 

¶ 51 - Governing jurisdiction
U.S. laws control; jurisdiction and venue for resolving disputes agreed to be Southern District of New York.

51. This Stipulation and Order is governed by the laws of the United States. The exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any dispute arising between and among the parties under this Stipulation and Order as it relates to this action will be the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

¶ 52 - Entire agreement and understanding
Consent Decree represents full agreement and supercedes any prior agreements or understandings.

52. This Stipulation and Order sets forth the entire agreement and understanding among the parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

¶ 53 - Modifications only in writing
Only a writing signed by both the Government and County permitted to change Consent Decree in any way.

53. With the exception of modifications made by the Monitor pursuant to paragraph 15, this Stipulation and Order may not be supplemented, modified, canceled, or waived or otherwise altered in any way, in whole or in part, except in writing, by the United States and the County. 

¶ 54 - Authority of signatories
Representations of authority by each signatory.

54. The undersigned representatives of the parties certify that they are authorized by the parties to enter into and consent to the terms and conditions of the Stipulation and Order, and to execute and bind the parties to it. In particular, the individuals signing this  Stipulation and Order on behalf of the County represent and warrant that they are authorized by the County Executive to execute this Stipulation and Order, subject to final approval of the Stipulation and Order by the County Legislature as set forth in paragraph 55. The United States and HUD signatories represent and warrant that they are signing this Stipulation and Order in their official capacities.

¶ 55 - Action required of County Legislature
Decree subject to and conditioned on approval by County Board of Legislators and (two-thirds) approval of a bond act.

55. This Stipulation and Order is subject to and conditioned upon: 

(a) approval by a simple majority of the County’s Board of Legislators; and 

(b) approval of a Bond Act in the amount of $32.9 million by a two-thirds majority of the County’s Board of Legislators. 

¶ 56 - Consequences of failure of County Legislature to provide approvals
Consent Decree to be null and void and trial to proceed.

56. In the event that the County’s Board of Legislators fails to provide the necessary approvals within forty-five (45) calendar days of the Court’s entry of this Stipulation and Order, the Stipulation and Order shall be null and void. In such an event, trial of this action shall proceed at the Court’s earliest convenience. 

¶ 57 - Conditions for dismissal of complaint
Receipt of required payments a prerequisite to dismissal.

57. Subject to and upon receipt of the Settlement Amount, the Relator’s Complaint and the Government’s Complaint shall be dismissed with prejudice, with each party to bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs, except as provided in paragraph 4. The dismissal of this action shall be subject to paragraph 46. 

¶ 58 - Court retains jurisdiction
Power to enforce and interpret provisions of decree.

58. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Stipulation and Order, this Court shall retain exclusive jurisdiction over this Stipulation and Order, including, but not limited to, any application to enforce or interpret its provisions, and over each party to the extent its obligations herein remain unsatisfied. 

¶ 59 - Representation of voluntariness
Parties disclaim any duress or compulsion to execute document.

59. Each party and signatory to this Stipulation and Order represents that it freely and voluntarily enters in to this Stipulation and Order without any degree of duress or compulsion. 

¶ 60 - Methods of execution of Consent Decree
Original, fax, and PDF counterparts permitted, each to constitute original.

60. This Stipulation and Order may be executed in one or more original, facsimile or PDF counterparts, each of which constitutes an original and all of which constitute one and the same agreement. For purposes of this Stipulation and Order, signatures transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall constitute acceptable, binding signatures. 

¶ 61 - Effective date
Consent Decree effective as of August 10, 2009 (date of entry of order).

61. The effective date of this Stipulation and Order is the date on which this Stipulation and Order is entered by this Court.