Negotiations could lead to Camp Catalpa settlement

Local News

September 9, 2010

By Ronica Shannon Register News Writer The Richmond Register Thu Sep 09, 2010, 03:00 PM EDT

RICHMOND — Contrary to rumors on a popular Internet forum, Lakeview RV Park LLC has yet to reach a settlement with the City of Richmond regarding a breach of contract.

Several settlement amounts have been rumored to be from $800,000 and $1 million.

“Settlement discussions have been taking place,” said Richmond City Attorney Garrett Fowles. “No settlement can be done and finalized until the commissioners meet.”

The commission has met in executive session several times in recent months to work on settling the matter, he said.

“There are some offers that are seriously being considered by both sides,” Fowles said.

The Richmond City Commission entered into a lease with Lakeview RV Park LLC on Feb. 26, 2008, during a commission meeting.

The lease would have allowed Camp Catalpa, a 15-acre tract of land owned by the city located off Catalpa Loop Road on the east bank of Lake Reba in Richmond, to be turned into an recreational vehicle park for public use.

However, the commission rescinded the decision on March 25 after strong community opposition was voice to the area being used as an RV park.

In June, city commissioners Bill Strong, Robert Blythe, Mike Brewer and former commissioner Kay Cosby Jones were dismissed as defendants, both individually and in their official capacities, in the case.

According to a June 7 ruling by Madison Circuit Court Judge Jean C. Logue, the remaining issue is whether the city illegally breached the contract with Lakeview RV Park LLC.

The civil suit originally was filed Oct. 28, 2008, by Lakeview RV Park LLC against the city, city commissioners Mike Brewer, Bill Strong and Robert Blythe, former city commissioner Kay Cosby Jones and former city manager David Evans, seeking damages for the city’s decision to back out of the lease.

The city filed a 22-page motion Nov. 17, 2009, claiming the suit should be dismissed because the commissioners are immune from being sued for official decisions. Logue agreed, ruling that the governmental body acted as the city itself when the commissioners voted on the lease.

“The vote was within their scope of authority,” Logue’s ruling states.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.

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