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Resolution No. 2013-068RESOLUTION NO. 2013-68 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF VERNON AND NORTH SKY RIVER ENERGY, LLC WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City"), is a chartered municipal corporation of the State of California that owns and operates a system for the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electric capacity and energy; and WHEREAS, on February 8, 2010, the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2010-21, approving the Purchase and Sale Agreement, made as of February 11, 2010 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the City and North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (as assignee of Boulevard Associates, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company)("Buyer"), a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, for the sale of property in Kern County in the area known as the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area (the "Red Rock Land") for the potential development of renewable resources; and WHEREAS, on March 6, 2012, the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2012-38 approving the Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement (the "Easement and License Agreement"), to put of -record specific easement locations determined by the Buyer and the City and to grant sub -easements benefitting the Red Rock Land, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement; and WHEREAS, the City desires to approve the First Amendment to the Easement and License Agreement (the "First Amendment"); and oCz613800 WHEREAS, the First Amendment pertains to non-exclusive easements for access over and across certain real property located in Kern County, California, and will incorporate customary lender protections. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct. SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon finds that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with Section 15061 (b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment. SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby approves the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement (the "First Amendment"), in substantially the same form as the copy which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, together with all other agreements and documents the City Administrator, or his designee, may deem necessary or desirable to effect and carry out the purposes and intent thereof. SECTION 4: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby authorizes the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem to execute said First Amendment for, and on behalf of, the City of Vernon and the City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, is hereby authorized to attest thereto. SECTION 5: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby instructs the City Administrator, or his designee, to take whatever actions are deemed necessary or desirable for the purpose of implementing and carrying out the purposes of this Resolution and the - 2 - U62613800 transactions herein approved or authorized, including, but without limitation, recording the First Amendment. SECTION 6: The Interim City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Vernon shall certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and the Interim City Clerk, or Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolu-ion and the Interim City Clerk's, or the Deputy City Clerk's, certification to be entered in the File of Resolutions of the Council of this City. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of July, 2013. 1�&IL —1 Z t 6 1 C; � ac" 0 Name: `rJ Michael McCormick Title: Mayor /- ATTES vana Rees? Interim City Clerk /_ � y e 1 - � APPROVED r AS TO FORM: NichHas George Rodriguez, City Attorney - 3 - 062613800 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ss COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) I Dana Reed Interim City Clerk /gp—Clay C± of the City of Vernon, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 2013-68, was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon. Executed this � day of July, 2013, at Vernon, California. (SEAL) -, ana VReed Interim City Clerk /.- - 4 - 062613800 EXHIBIT A RECORDING RLQUESTED BY AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Mikel Greene, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC 700 Universe Blvd. (LAW/.IB) hino Beach, FL 33408 (The space above this line is for the Recorders use only) FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT ("First Amendment") is made, dated and effective as of' _ 2013 ("Effective Date"), between City of Vernon, a California chartered city ("Grantor"), whose address is 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058 and North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose address is 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 ("Grantee"). Each of Grantor and Grantee are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties." RECITALS WHEREAS, Grantor and Grantee entered in to an Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and I_,icense Agreement dated March 6, 2012 and recorded March 21, 2012 as Document 4: 0212037812 in the Kern County Official Records ( the "Agreement"), WHEREAS, Grantor granted to Grantee non-exclusive easements for access ("Easements") over and across certain real property located in the County of Kern, State of California, described on Exhibits C and D attached to the Agreement ("Specific Easement Locations""). WHEREAS, the Effective Date of the Easements was March 6, 2012; and WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the Agreement in accordance with Section 7.3 of the Agreement as set forth herein. NOW. HIFRFI ORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants of' the Parties herein contained. and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows: The following provisions are hereby added to the Agreement as a new Section 10: 10. Mortgage of Easements. 10.1 Right to Mortgage. Grantee may, upon notice to Grantor, but without Grantor's consent or approval, mortgage, collaterally assign, or otherwise encumber and grant security interests in all or any part of its interest in the Easements. These various security interests in all or a part of the Easements are collectively referred to as a "Mortgage" and each holder of the Mortgage, is referred to as "Mortgagee." Any such Mortgagee shall use the Easements only for the uses permitted under this Agreement. Whenever Grantee has mortgaged an interest under this Section 10, it will give notice of the Mortgage (including the address of the Mortgagee for notice purposes) to Grantor: provided that failure to give this notice shall not constitute a default under this Agreement, but rather shall only have the effect of not binding Grantor with respect to such Mortgage until notice is given. 10.2 Notice of Default and Opportunity to Cure. As a precondition to exercising any rights or remedies related to any alleged default by Grantee under the Agreement, Grantor shall give written notice of the default to each Mortgagee at the same time it delivers notice of default to Grantee, specifying in detail the alleged event of default and the required remedy. Each Mortgagee shall have the same right to cure any default as Grantee, and/or the same right to remove any improvements or other property owned by Grantee or such Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. The cure period for any Mortgagee shall be the later of (i) the end of the Grantee cure period; (ii) thirty (30) days after such Mortgagee's receipt of the default notice, or (iii) if applicable, the extended cure period provided for in Section 10.3. Failure by Grantor to give a Mortgagee notice of default shall not diminish Grantor's rights against Grantee, but shall preserve all rights of the Mortgagee to cure any default and to remove any Improvements or other property of Grantee or the Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. 10.3 Extended Cure Period. If any default by Grantee under this Agreement cannot be cured without the Mortgagee obtaining possession of all or part of the Easements, then any such default shall be deemed remedied if a Mortgagee: (i) within sixty (60) days after receiving notice from Grantor as set forth in Section 10.2, acquires possession of all or part of the Easements, or begins appropriate judicial or nonjudicial proceedings to obtain the same, (ii) diligently prosecutes any such proceedings to completion; and (iii) after gaining possession of all or part of the Easements performs all other obligations as and when the same are due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that Mortgagee shall have no longer than one hundred eighty (180) days to cure such default. 10.4 Mortgagee's Right to Enforce Mortgage and Assign Easements. A Mortgagee shall have the absolute right: (i) to assign its Mortgage. (ii) to enforce its lien and acquire title to all or any portion of the Easements by any lawful means; (iii) to take possession of and operate all or any portion of the Easements and to perform all obligations to be performed by Grantee under the Agreement, or to cause a receiver to be appointed to do so; and (iv) to acquire all or any portion of the Easements by foreclosure or by an assignment in lieu of foreclosure and thereafter, without Grantor's consent, to assign or transfer all or any portion of the Easements to a third party. Any Mortgagee or other party who acquires Grantee's interest in the Easements pursuant to foreclosure or assignment in lieu of foreclosure shall not be liable to perform the obligations imposed on Grantee by the Agreement which are incurred or accruing after such Mortgagee or other party no longer has ownership or possession of the Easements. 10.5 New Agreement. If the Easements is foreclosed upon or there is an assignment in lieu of foreclosure, or if the Agreement is rejected or disaffirmed pursuant to bankruptcy law or other law affecting creditor's rights and, within ninety (90) days after such event. Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale shall have arranged to the reasonable satisfaction of Grantor for the payment of all Annual Easements Fee or other charges due and payable by Grantee as of the date of such event, then Grantor shall execute and deliver to Grantee or such Mortgagee or other purchases- at a foreclosure sale, or to a designee of one of these parties, as the case may be, a new agreement ("New Agreement") which (i) shall be for a term equal to the remainder of the Term of the Agreement before giving effect to such rejection or termination, (ii) shall contain the same covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and limitations as the Agreement (except for any requirements that have been fulfilled by Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale prior to rejection or termination of the Agreement); and (iii) shall include that portion of the Easements in which Grantee or such other Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale had an interest on the date of rejection or termination. If more than one Mortgagee makes a written request for a New Agreement pursuant to this provision, the New Agreement shall be delivered to the Mortgagee requesting such New Agreement whose Mortgage has lien priority, and the written request of any other Mortgagee whose lien is subordinate shall be void and of no further force or effect. The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination. rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect thereafter to the same extent as if this Section 10 were a separate and independent contract made by Grantor, Grantee and each Mortgagee, and, from the effective date of such termination, rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement to the date of execution and delivery of such New Agreement, such Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale may use and enjoy the Easements without hindrance by Grantor or any person claiming by, through or under Grantor; provided that all of the conditions for the New Agreement as set forth above are complied with. 10.6 Release. Upon the repayment in full of any amounts owed to Mortgagee by Grantee (other than contingent obligations that have not yet become due and payable). Grantee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to require Mortgagee to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed or any such other agreements or instruments as are reasonably requested by Grantor and/or Grantee to release Mortgagee's security interest against the Easements. 2. The Agreement may not be further modified or amended except by a written instrument recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California, or by an agreement that is referenced in any memorandum thereof recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California. I All of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement not in conflict herewith shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified. 4. In the event of any conflict between this First Amendment and the Agreement, the provisions of this First Amendment shall prevail. 5. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute a single instrument. [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGES] 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this First Amendment as of the date first set forth above. Grantor: CITY OF VFRNON. a California Chartered City By: _ Name: Title: ACKNOWLEDGMENT State of California County of On before me, a notary public, personally appeared who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument. I certify under P1NALTY OF PERJURY under the laws ofthe State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Witness my hand and official seal. Signature 5 (Seal) Grantee: North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company By: _ Name: Title: ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATE OF FLORIDA ss. COUNTY OF PALM BEACH The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on 2013, by as -- who is personally known to me to be the person who subscribed the within instrument and who did not take an oath. Notary Public in and for said State Print Name: My Commission Expires: SEAL, 6 CONTRACT/AMENDMENT SIGNATURE ROUTING FORM CONTRACTOR''_'_ CONTRACT PURPOSE: </1 /fir /{ f✓' CONTRACT IS: ❑ FEDERAL ❑ PREVAILING WAGE ❑ COMPETIVE SELECTION & NOTICED RFP Cl COMPETITIVE BID & NOTICED INVITATION TO BID ❑ EXEMPT FROM COMPETITIVE PROCESS (APPROVAL ATTACHED) rt SFRVICES ❑ MATERIALS ❑ BUDGETED Ci NOT BUDGETED TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE: $/� Char;c Acct. No(s) Amendment Value $ o Contract is an Amendment to Contract No._ (if Applicable) RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT PERSON: �'ri�E'Gc'���/ PHONE: X AUTHORIZATION: �l .Approved b} Council on 71 +-3 _ (Check One) Resolution No.'i(W-) (if applicable) ❑ Approved b} Cite Administrator on _ Note: Attach supporting documentation uAmendment Approved b} (if applicable) ROUTING SEOUI NCL_ (Please Follow In Order— Do not use N/A) Initials Date (1) Responsible Department Person Checks substance of contract and assembles tyvo (2) copies of Contract_ rcquircd AA, insurancc & bond documents, certifies compliance With Competitive Bidding and Purchasing Ordinance (2) Liability and Claims Approves insurance if bonds rcquircd and sureties. (3) Finance ( Purchasing) Checks compliance with Competitive Bidding & Living Wage Ordinances And reflected in current budget (4) City Attorney Approv-cs contract as to form, verifies bonds and insurance included (5) City Signatory Signs behalf Cite —. all copies on of (6) City Clerk Attests signatures. numbers_ tiles contract_ insuranceand bonds. and transmits duplicate original to contractor Rey. 2 25 13 of I 0 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California 90058 .July 1, 2013 Telephone (323) 583-8811 3 .lames W. Fitch Kern County Assessor -Recorder 1 l 15 TruxtUn Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639 Dear Mr. Fitch: Transmitted herewith is one fully executed First Amendment to Amended and Restated Red Rock Access h:asement and License Agreement for certain real property in the unincorporated areas of Kern County, as more particularly described on Exhibits C and D attached to the agreement, approved by City Council minute order on .luly 2, 2013. Please record the documents and return one copy of each to the attention of the undersigned and send the original recorded documents to the following party: NextFra Energy Resources, LLC 700 Clniverse Blvd. (LAW/.IB) Juno Beach, FL 33408 Attn: IVlikel Greene If you have any questions, you may contact Carlos Fandino at (323) 583-881 1 Ext. 834. Very truly yours, Deborah R..luarcz Records Management Assistant E11cIOSnres c: Carlos Fandino Mikel Greene David B. Rogers Agreement File No. 13-057 EXcfusivefy Industriaf RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Mike] Greene, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC 700 Universe Blvd. (LAW/JB) Juno Beach, FL 33408 (The space above this line is for the Recorder's use only) FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT ("First Amendment") is made, dated and effective as of July 2 , 2013 ("Effective Date"), between City of Vernon, a California chartered city ("Grantor"), whose address is 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058 and North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose address is 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 ("Grantee"). Each of Grantor and Grantee are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties." RECITALS WHEREAS, Grantor and Grantee entered in to an Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated March 6, 2012 and recorded March 21, 2012 as Document 4: 0212037812 in the Kern County Official Records ( the "Agreement"); WHEREAS, Grantor granted to Grantee non-exclusive easements for access ("Easements") over and across certain real property located in the County of Kern, State of California, described on Exhibits C and D attached to the Agreement ("Specific Easement Locations"). WHEREAS, the Effective Date of the Easements was March 6, 2012; and WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the Agreement in accordance with Section 7.3 of the Agreement as set Forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants of the Parties herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows: The following provisions are hereby added to the Agreement as a new Section 10: 10. Mortgage of Easements. 10.1 Right to Mortgage. Grantee may, upon notice to Grantor, but without Grantor's consent or approval, mortgage, collaterally assign, or otherwise encumber and grant security interests in all or any part of its interest in the Easements. These various security interests in all or a part of the Easements are collectively referred to as a "Mortgage" and each holder of the Mortgage, is referred to as "Mortgagee." Any such Mortgagee shall use the Easements only for the uses permitted under this Agreement. Whenever Grantee has mortgaged an interest under this Section 10, it will give notice of the Mortgage (including the address of the Mortgagee for notice purposes) to Grantor; provided that failure to give this notice shall not constitute a default under this Agreement, but rather shall only have the effect of not binding Grantor with respect to such Mortgage until notice is given. 10.2 Notice of Default and Opportunity to Cure. As a precondition to exercising any rights or remedies related to any alleged default by Grantee under the Agreement, Grantor shall give written notice of the default to each Mortgagee at the same time it delivers notice of default to Grantee, specifying in detail the alleged event of default and the required remedy. Each Mortgagee shall have the same right to cure any default as Grantee, and/or the same right to remove any improvements or other property owned by Grantee or such Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. The cure period for any Mortgagee shall be the later of (i) the end of the Grantee cure period; (ii) thirty (30) days after such Mortgagee's receipt of the default notice; or (iii) if applicable, the extended cure period provided for in Section 10.3. Failure by Grantor to give a Mortgagee notice of default shall not diminish Grantor's rights against Grantee, but shall preserve all rights of the Mortgagee to cure any default and to remove any Improvements or other property of Grantee or the Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. 10.3 Extended Cure Period. If any default by Grantee under this Agreement cannot be cured without the Mortgagee obtaining possession of all or part of the Easements, then any such default shall be deemed remedied if a Mortgagee: (i) within sixty (60) days after receiving notice from Grantor as set forth in Section 10.2, acquires possession of all or part of the Easements, or begins appropriate judicial or non_judicial proceedings to obtain the same; (ii) diligently prosecutes any such proceedings to completion; and (iii) after gaining possession of all or part of the Easements performs all other obligations as and when the same are due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that Mortgagee shall have no longer than one hundred eighty (180) days to cure such default. 2 10.4 Mortgagee's Right to Enforce Mortgage and Assign Easements. A Mortgagee shall have the absolute right: (i) to assign its Mortgage; (ii) to enforce its lien and acquire title to all or any portion of the Easements by any lawful means; (iii) to take possession of and operate all or any portion of the Easements and to perform all obligations to be performed by Grantee under the Agreement, or to cause a receiver to be appointed to do so; and (iv) to acquire all or any portion of the Easements by foreclosure or by an assignment in lieu of foreclosure and thereafter, without Grantor's consent, to assign or transfer all or any portion of the Easements to a third party. Any Mortgagee or other party who acquires Grantee's interest in the Easements pursuant to foreclosure or assignment in lieu of foreclosure shall not be liable to perform the obligations imposed on Grantee by the Agreement which are incurred or accruing after such Mortgagee or other party no longer has ownership or possession of the Easements. 10.5 New Agreement. If the Easements is foreclosed upon or there is an assignment in lieu of foreclosure, or if the Agreement is rejected or disaffirmed pursuant to bankruptcy law or other law affecting creditor's rights and, within ninety (90) days after such event, Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale shall have arranged to the reasonable satisfaction of Grantor for the payment of all Annual Easements Fee or other charges due and payable by Grantee as of the date of such event, then Grantor shall execute and deliver to Grantee or such Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale, or to a designee of one of these parties, as the case may be, a new agreement ("New Agreement") which (i) shall be for a term equal to the remainder of the Term of the Agreement before giving effect to such rejection or termination; (ii) shall contain the same covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and limitations as the Agreement (except for any requirements that have been fulfilled by Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale prior to rejection or termination of the Agreement); and (iii) shall include that portion of the Easements in which Grantee or such other Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale had an interest on the date of rejection or termination. if more than one Mortgagee makes a written request for a New Agreement pursuant to this provision, the New Agreement shall be delivered to the Mortgagee requesting such New Agreement whose Mortgage has lien priority, and the written request of any other Mortgagee whose lien is subordinate shall be void and of no further force or effect. The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination, rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect thereafter to the same extent as if this Section 10 were a separate and independent contract made by Grantor, Grantee and each Mortgagee, and, from the effective date of such termination, rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement to the date of execution and delivery of such New Agreement, such Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale may use and enjoy the Easements without hindrance by Grantor or any person claiming by, through or under Grantor; provided that all of the conditions for the New Agreement as set forth above are complied with. 10.6 Release. Upon the repayment in full of any amounts owed to Mortgagee by Grantee (other than contingent obligations that have not yet become due and payable), Grantee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to require Mortgagee to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed or any such other agreements or instruments as are reasonably 3 requested by Grantor and/or Grantee to release Mortgagee's security interest against the Easements. 2. The Agreement may not be further modified or amended except by a written instrument recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California, or by an agreement that is referenced in any memorandum thereof recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California. 3. All of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement not in conflict herewith shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified. 4. In the event of any conflict between this First Amendment and the Agreement, the provisions of this First Amendment shall prevail. 5. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute a single instrument. [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGES] 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this First Amendment as of the date first set forth above. Grantor: CITY OF VBRNON, a California Chartered City ATTEST: r Z" ZaAna Barcia, Deputy City Clerk me: W. Michael McCormick Title: Mavor ACKNOWLEDGMENT State of California ) i ) SS County of 1 � t� '` i it .k- ji ) On J �/ �/ 7 before me, ! / )� 4111"IPI C J 1` tW(Iti a notary ----:-7 /1public, personally appeared 1�,� liyd/r � />(�j ht f fti ll'('tpf'Y✓ ', who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the persons whose name(f is/ate subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/4r6 tp,�y executed the same in his/lyr/tl it authorized capacity), and that by his/*r/t#ir signatures') on the instrument the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Witness my hand and official seal. ����� Signature _.° _ (Seal ) Y 6:�" ANA KARINA RUEDA Commission # 1900284 z +. Notary Public - California i Z Los Angeles County D � y Comm. Ex ire, Augg 119,22014 Grantee: North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company By: Name: Titl5 ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATE OF FLORIDA ss. COUNTY OF PALM BEACH The foregoing i►istrt4ment was acknowledged before me on 2013, by.-Y ics.i' as who is personally known to me to be the person who subscribed the within instrument and who did not take an oath. Notary Public in and for said State Print Name: My Commission Expires: SEAL. 6 FWM1tM L**�"M'ii�,�,�,4ib•jpuy"f;�NMvnM�1 .Y tM'.IY +IaY+ k ' I� %_# $" i J . OF `'ERti ♦r�` I te`p `S��'SLY �MOJ6 STAFF REPORT DEPARTMENT OF LIGHT & POWER DATE: July 2, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Carlos R. Fandino, .lr., Director of Light & Power (p�Z&j RE: Request for Approval of First Amendment to Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Find that the approval requested in this stafl' report is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CFQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment, and 2. Adopt a Resolution approving the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated March 6, 2012, pursuant to Resolution No. 2012-38, and in the form attached to the Resolution. This pertains to non- exclusive easements for access over and across certain real property located in Kern County, California, and the proposed amendment will incorporate customary lender protections. Background The City of Vernon entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated February 8, 2010, with North Sky River Energy, LLC (as assignee of Boulevard Associates, LLC), a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, for the sale ofreal property in Kern County for the potential development oi' renewable resources. Under the Purchase Agreement, the buyer was granted general access easements over land owned by Vernon, as well as sub -easements over land owned by ReNu Resources, L,LC'. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the buyer exercised its right to determine specific easement locations on the Vernon land and ReNu land, and then amended and restated the general easement to reflect the specific locations. The buyer and the City entered into and recorded an Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated March 6, 2012, which established the buyer's specific easements of record. The buyer is now seeking financing for its project, and buyer's lender is requiring an amendment to the easement agrecment to include customary lender protections. 'hhe buyer and its lender have requested the following amendments: 1. The buyer will have the right to mortgage the easements. 2. The lender will have the right to receive notice from the City of buyer's defaults under the easement agreement. 3. The lender will have the right to cure buyer's defaults within 30 days of such notice, or at the end of buyer's cure period if it is longer than 30 days. or within 60 days it -the default cannot be cured without foreclosure by lender. 4. "hhe lender will have no liability unless it holds absolute title to the easements. 5. The City agrees to execute estoppel certificates, consent to assignment and non - disturbance agreements, and cooperate in amendments reasonably requested by buyer and lender. 6. The lender will have the right to assign its mortgage, enforce its lien, acquire title to the easements, take possession of and operate the easements and foreclose on the easements or acquire by deed in lieu of foreclosure. 7. If a party acquires the easement pursuant to a foreclosure sale, assignment in lieu of foreclosure, or a rejection or disaffirmation in bankruptcy, the City agrees to enter into a new easement agreement with that party containing the same terms as the existing easement agreement. The City and buyer will not amend the easement without lender's written and recorded consent so long as lender remains unpaid. Pursuant to Section 7.3 of the existing easement agreement, the City agreed to cooperate in amending the easement agreement to include lender protection provisions reasonably requested by the buyer and its lender. In addition, the City has a reciprocal general easement with the buyer, so to the extent the City cooperates with the buyer in this request, the buyer may be more likely to cooperate with the City in the future. It is in the City's best interest to accommodate the NextEra request for an amendment. Outside legal counsel have determined the proposed amendments to be reasonable for project financing. Further, the amendments will not present any material risks to the City. Fiscal Impact The First Amendment to the Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement will have no fiscal impact upon the City, as the Amendment carries no financial bearing. Attachments RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Mikel Greene, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC 700 Universe Blvd. (LAW/JB) Juno Beach, FI_. 33408 ('I'hc space above this line is fur the Recor(Icr's use only) FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED RED ROCK ACCESS EASEMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT ("First Amendment") is made, dated and effective as of _ 2013 ("Effective Date"), between City of Vernon, a California chartered city ("Grantor"), whose address is 4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA 90058 and North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, whose address is 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Leach, FL 33408-0420 ("Grantee" ). Each of Grantor and Grantee are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties." RECITALS WHEREAS, Grantor and Grantee entered in to an Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated March 6, 2012 and recorded March 21, 2012 as Document #: 0212037812 in the Kern County Official Records ( the "Agreement"), WHEREAS, Grantor granted to Grantee non-exclusive easements for access ("Easements") over and across certain real property located in the County of Kern, State of California, described on Exhibits C and D attached to the Agreement ("Specific Easement Locations"), WHEREAS, the Fffective Date of the Easements was March 6, 2012; and WHEREAS, the Parties agree to amend the Agreement in accordance with Section 7.3 of the Agreement as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants of the Parties herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows: Me following provisions are hereby added to the Agreement as a new Section 10: 10. Mortgage of Easements. 10.1 Right to Mortgage. Grantee may, upon notice to Grantor, but without Grantor's consent or approval, mortgage, collaterally assign, or otherwise encumber and grant security interests in all or any part of its interest in the Easements. These various security interests in all or a part of the Easements are collectively referred to as a "Mortgage" and each holder of the Mortgage, is referred to as "Mortgagee.." Any such Mortgagee shall use the Easements only for the uses permitted under this Agreement. Whenever Grantee has mortgaged an interest under this Section 10, it will give notice of the Mortgage (including the address of the Mortgagee for notice purposes) to Grantor; provided that failure to give this notice shall not constitute a default under this Agreement, but rather shall only have the effect of not binding Grantor with respect to such Mortgage until notice is given. 10.2 Notice of Default and Opportunity to Cure. As a precondition to exercising any rights or remedies related to any alleged default by Grantee under the Agreement, Grantor shall give written notice of the default to each Mortgagee at the same time it delivers notice of default to Grantee, specifying in detail the alleged event of default and the required remedy. Each Mortgagee shall have the same right to cure any default as Grantee, and/or the same right to remove any improvements or other property owned by Grantee or such Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. The cure period for any Mortgagee shall be the later of (i) the end of the Grantee cure period; (ii) thirty (30) days after such Mortgagee's receipt of the default notice; or (iii) if applicable, the extended cure period provided for in Section 10.3. Failure by Grantor to give a Mortgagee notice of default shall not diminish Grantor's rights against Grantee, but shall preserve all rights of the Mortgagee to cure any default and to remove any Improvements or other property of Grantee or the Mortgagee located on the Grantor's Property. 10.3 Extended Cure Period. if any default by Grantee under this Agreement cannot be cured without the Mortgagee obtaining possession of all or part of the Easements, then any such default shall be deemed remedied ifa Mortgagee: (i) within sixty (60) days after receiving notice from Grantor as set forth in Section 10.2, acquires possession of all or part of the Easements, or begins appropriate judicial or nonjudicial proceedings to obtain the same: (ii) diligently prosecutes any such proceedings to completion, and (iii) after gaining possession of all or part of the Easements performs all other obligations as and when the same are due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that Mortgagee shall have no longer than one hundred eighty (180) days to cure such default. 10.4 Mortgagee's Right to Enforce Mortgage and Assign Easements. A Mortgagee shall have the absolute right: (i) to assign its Mortgage, (ii) to enforce its lien and acquire title to all or any portion of the Easements by any lawful means; (iii) to take possession of and operate all or any portion of the Easements and to perform all obligations to be performed by Grantee under the Agreement, or to cause a receiver to be appointed to do so; and (iv) to acquire all or any portion of the Easements by foreclosure or by an assignment in lieu of foreclosure and thereafter, without Grantor's consent, to assign or transfer all or any portion of the Easements to a third party. Any Mortgagee or other party who acquires Grantee's interest in the Easements pursuant to foreclosure or assignment in lieu of foreclosure shall not be liable to perform the obligations imposed on Grantee by the Agreement which are incurred or accruing after such Mortgagee or other party no longer has ownership or possession of the Easements. 10.5 New Agreement. If the Easements is foreclosed upon or there is an assignment in lieu of foreclosure, or if the Agreement is rejected or disaffirmed pursuant to bankruptcy law or other law affecting creditor's rights and, within ninety (90) days after such event, Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale shall have arranged to the reasonable satisfaction of' Grantor for the payment of all Annual Easements Fee or other charges due and payable by Grantee as of the date of such event, then Grantor shall execute and deliver to Grantee or such Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale, or to a designee of one of these parties, as the case may be, a new agreement ("New Agreement") which (i) shall be for a term equal to the remainder of the Term of the Agreement before giving effect to such rejection or termination; (ii) shall contain the sarne covenants, agreements, terms, provisions and limitations as the Agreement (except for any requirements that have been fulfilled by Grantee or any Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale prior to rejection or termination of the Agreement); and (iii) shall include that portion of the Easements in which Grantee or such other Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale had an interest on the date of rejection or termination. If more than one Mortgagee makes a written request for a New Agreement pursuant to this provision, the New Agreement shall be delivered to the Mortgagee requesting such New Agreement whose Mortgage has lien priority, and the written request of any other Mortgagee whose lien is subordinate shall be void and of no Further lorce or effect. The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination, rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect thereafter to the same extent as if this Section 10 were a separate and independent contract made by Grantor, Grantee and each Mortgagee, and, frorn the effective date of such termination, rejection or disaffirmation of the Agreement to the date of' execution and delivery of such New Agreement, such Mortgagee or other purchaser at a foreclosure sale may use and enjoy the Easements without hindrance by Grantor or any person claiming by, through or under Grantor; provided that all of the conditions for the New Agreement as set forth above are complied with. 10.6 Release. Upon the repayment in full of any amounts owed to Mortgagee by Grantee (other- than contingent obligations that have not yet become due and payable), Grantee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to require Mortgagee to execute and deliver a quitclaim deed or any such other agreements or instruments as are reasonably requested by Grantor and/or Grantee to release Mortgagee's security interest against the Easements. 2. The Agreement may not be fi►rther modified or amended except by a written instrument recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California, or by an agreement that is referenced in any memorandum thereof recorded in the Official Records of Kern County, California. 3. All of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement not in conflict herewith shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified. 4. In the event of any conflict between this First Amendment and the Agreement, the provisions of this First Amendment shall prevail. 5. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute a single instrument. [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGES] 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this First Amendment as of the date first set forth above. Grantor: CITY OF VERNON, a California Chartered City By: Name: "title: ACKNOWLEDGMENT State of California ) SS County of ) On before me, a notary public, personally appeared _ who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon bchalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument. I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Witness my hand and official seal. Signature 5 (Seal) Grantee: North Sky River F,nergy, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company By: _ Name: Title: ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATE OF FLORIDA ) ss. COUNTY OF PALM BEACH ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on 2013, by _ as who is personally known to me to be the person who subscribed the within instrument and who did not take an oath. Notary Public in and for said State Print Name: My Commission Expires: SEAL 6 NOTICE TO LANDOWNER fj�,' ED �r�a VIA CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. Mark Whitworth City Administrator The City of Vernon 4305 Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, CA 90058 July 8, 2013 iE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Re: Notice of Mortgage Pursuant to Section 10 of Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement, as amended Dear Mr. Whitworth: You are hereby notified that North Sky River Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the grantee ("Grantee") under that certain Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated March 6, 2012 by and between the City of Vernon ("Grantor") and Grantee, recorded on March 21, 2012 as Document No. 0212037812 in the Official Records of Kern County, as amended by the certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement dated July 2, 2013 to be recorded in the Official Records of Kern County (collectively, the "Easement') has granted a security interest in the Easement to U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as collateral agent and depository agent ("Lender"), as evidenced by, among other things, Deed of Trust dated June 27, 2013 by and between Lender and Grantee, as the same may be supplemented, modified or amended in the future. Lender is a "Mortgagee" for purposes of and as defined in the Easement. Pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Easement, you are hereby instructed to send copies to Lender of all notices hereafter given by the Grantor to Grantee under the Easement. Such notices are to be sent as follows: U.S. Bank National Association Attn: Corporate Trust Administration 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 1870 Miami, FL 33131 Phone: (305) 350-1738 Fax: (305) 350-1746 Attention: Mike Daly E-mail Address: michael.daly3@usbank.com with a copy to: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 425 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 Attn: David Lieberman, Esq. or to such other address as Lender may hereafter specify by written notice to Lessor. US -WEST 803836062.1 SIGNATURE PAGE TO NOTICE TO LANDOWNER Dated: .)Line 27, 2013 cc: David B. Rogers, Esq. Mikel Green, Esq. Mardi R. Merjian, Esq. US -WEST 803836062.1 TR U STO R: NORTH SKY RIVER ENERGY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company By: Name: Aldo Portales Title: Assistant Treasurer Juarez, Debbie From: Figueroa, Diana Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 10:33 AM To: Juarez, Debbie Cc: Fandino, Carlos Subject: RE: Resolution No. 2012-38 North Sky River Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement There is no objection from me... I see no problem with handling the First Amendment in the same manner. That should be just fine. Thank you very much for your help. Diana From: Juarez, Debbie Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 9:29 AM To: Figueroa, Diana Subject: Resolution No. 2012-38 North Sky River Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement Hi Diana. I have attached a copy of how the first set of documents was handled/recorded for your reference. If there's no objection, I would like to go ahead and send out the First Amendment to be handled in the same manner so we are not sitting on the documents. Please advise. Thank you. <I7eFura 1 Juarez ��ecords S�anaf�e�ncnt �lssistant- City of`Cernon - City C( lr "'S Office 4.305Santa 11'e%I venue `Cernolr, (f1 90058 (_323) 583-,1811 1 NORTH SKY RIVER ENERGY, LLC 700 Universe Blvd. Juno Beach, Ilorida 33408-2683 VIA UPS NEXT DAY AIR June 26, 2013 City of Vernon Attn.: Diana Figueroa, Light & Power Department 4305 Santa Fe Avenue Vernon, CA 90058 Re: First Amendment to Amended and Restated Red Rock Access Easement and License Agreement between City of Vernon and North Sky River Energy, LLC ("First Amendment")/Kern County, CA Dear Ms. Figueroa: I have enclosed two duplicate, partially executed, originals of the above referenced First Amendment. It is our understanding that the City of Vernon is planning to address the First Amendment in the July 2, 2013 meeting, and if approved, a resolution to that effect will be signed that day, along with the First Amendment. Should you have any comments or questions, please contact me at (561) 304-5934. Otherwise, when approved, please return to me a fully executed original of the First Amendment and a copy of the signed Resolution. I have enclosed a pre -addressed, pre -paid UPS return envelope for your convenience. Sincer y, f� _ Mike] Greene Real Estate, Land Use and Environmental Group /nel Enclosures