downtown renovation 4/28/1986PER WILDS f M1111 CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PLANNERS B ARCHITECTS
609 W. NORTH ST., P.O. BOX 1517. SALINA KANSAS 67402 1517 • 913/827.3603
PARTNERS
Jame D. Bucher, PE. AICP, Refired
Shelby K. Willa, PE
William R. Ratliff, PE
G. Harold Le chem, PE
Key C. Bloom, PE
Stephen L. Jennings. PE
Reymond E. Lantana. PE
Raymond L. Voakamp, Jr.. AIA
Jame p
Ray Lams, PE
Jon H. Meulengmcht. AICP
Jimmy H.C. Lin, PE
James R. Swanson. PE
Stew D. Cats, PE
R. Dayid Miller, PE
Mr. Rufus Nye
City Manager
City of Salina
P.O. Box 746
Salina, Kansas 67402-0746
Dear Mr. Nye:
In recent weeks, we have participated in discussions with you and
representatives of the City Engineering Department regarding the structural
stability of improvements on properties adjacent to properties acquired by
the City in connection with the Downtown Renovation Project now in
progress. While we are laymen to the legal profession, it is inconceivable
to us that the City has an obligation to provide vertical or horizontal
support to improvements on adjacent properties. If such is the case, then
it would seem that the previous owners of those properties you have
acquired should have been compensated for providing such support. As tax
payers in Salina, we object to any public funds being expended for the
purpose of providing such structural support to adjacent improvements.
It is our desire to perform professional engineering and architectural
services for the City of Salina. The services of our firm have always been
available to any public or private clients who desired to use them.
However, in this instance, we will not perform structural engineering
services to design measures for providing horizontal or vertical support to
these adjacent improvements unless we can be relieved of all liability from
all parties involved. Enclosed is a Release of Liability document which we
request be executed by the designated parties and filed with the
appropriate office in Saline County.
We regret that we have to ask for such protection, but, in recent years
and at present, we find ourselves in a litigation prone society. Under
these circumstances, we are not willing to obligate our firm to unnecessary
expense and liability. We request release from the City of all sums,
including the cost of defense, over and above the amount of any compen-
sation we receive from the City for the performance of these services. We
SALINA, KS 0 KANSAS CITY, MO a HAYS, KS 0 MOUNT PLEASANT, TX a AURORA, IL a TYLER, TX
ASSOCIATES:
GmeW H. shamming, PE
SALINA, KANSAS
Mark D. Boyar, LS
Robert K. Lehman, CPG
William D. Streit, AICP
Keith Lassman, CP
Kenneth J. Tumor, LS
Eyemn N. Haden, AIA
Roger L. Emotions, LS
Stephen G. Lama, AICP
April 28, 1986
Sam G. H.Wimen, PE
Donald L. Klapmeyr, PE
Thomas E. McMahon, PE
In recent weeks, we have participated in discussions with you and
representatives of the City Engineering Department regarding the structural
stability of improvements on properties adjacent to properties acquired by
the City in connection with the Downtown Renovation Project now in
progress. While we are laymen to the legal profession, it is inconceivable
to us that the City has an obligation to provide vertical or horizontal
support to improvements on adjacent properties. If such is the case, then
it would seem that the previous owners of those properties you have
acquired should have been compensated for providing such support. As tax
payers in Salina, we object to any public funds being expended for the
purpose of providing such structural support to adjacent improvements.
It is our desire to perform professional engineering and architectural
services for the City of Salina. The services of our firm have always been
available to any public or private clients who desired to use them.
However, in this instance, we will not perform structural engineering
services to design measures for providing horizontal or vertical support to
these adjacent improvements unless we can be relieved of all liability from
all parties involved. Enclosed is a Release of Liability document which we
request be executed by the designated parties and filed with the
appropriate office in Saline County.
We regret that we have to ask for such protection, but, in recent years
and at present, we find ourselves in a litigation prone society. Under
these circumstances, we are not willing to obligate our firm to unnecessary
expense and liability. We request release from the City of all sums,
including the cost of defense, over and above the amount of any compen-
sation we receive from the City for the performance of these services. We
SALINA, KS 0 KANSAS CITY, MO a HAYS, KS 0 MOUNT PLEASANT, TX a AURORA, IL a TYLER, TX
Mr. Rufus Nye
City Manager
City of Salina
April 28, 1986
Page Two
request a complete release from adjacent property owners for any expenses
or liability whatsoever in connection with these services. We do not plan
to proceed further until the enclosed documents are executed.
In the event one or more of the parties decline to grant our release of
liability, we will withdraw from this assignment and will not charge the
City for the time spent to date.
Sincerely,
BUMWILLIS h RAATTLIFF'A /
x' L(O/
Shelby � His, P.E.
SRW/r
Encl.
cc: Rodney G. Nitz
Laurin W. Schutter
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
The parties to this document are the City of Salina, Kansas, party of
the first part and hereinafter referred to as the "CITY"; the partnership
of Nitz S Schutter and the individuals Rodney G. Nitz and Laurin W.
Schutter, parties of the second part and hereinafter referred to as
"OWNERS"; and Bucher, Willis b Ratliff, Consulting Engineers, Planners S
Architects, party of the third part and hereinafter referred to as the
"ENGINEER".
WHEREAS, the City purchased a parcel of land with improvements adjacent
to land and improvements owned by the Owner, and
WHEREAS, the City has demolished and removed the improvements on the
property purchased by the City and is considering measures to provide
horizontal and vertical support to portions of the improvements on the land
of the Owner, and
WHEREAS, the City plans to engage the services of the Engineer to
design and, if they proceed to construction, to inspect the construction of
the structural modifications to provide partial support of portions of the
Owner's improvements,
NOW, THEREFORE, in view of these premises, it is mutually agreed by all
of the parties hereto that the City releases the Engineer's professional
liability for negligence or breach of warranty in the preparation of design
and drawings, the designation and selection of materials, the selection and
supervision of Project Representatives and other personnel, or the
performance of any other services in connection with the subject of this
document, over and above the amount of the total compensation received by
the Engineer for services rendered in connection herewith. The City agrees
to defend and hold the Engineer harmless from any and all claims, losses,
or suit for injuries, death, or damages and from all liens, losses,
expenses or claims of any sort in excess of the amount of said compensation
which may arise out of or result from the Engineer's performance of the
work.
FURTHERMORE, it is mutually agreed by all of the parties hereto that
the Owner releases the Engineer from professional liability for negligence,
or breach of warranty in the preparation of design and drawings, the
designation and selection of materials, the selection and supervision of
Project.Representatives and other personnel, or the performance of any
other services in connection herewith, now or in the future. The Owner
agrees to defend and hold the Engineer harmless from any and all claims,
losses, or suit from injuries, death, or damage and from all liens, losses,
expenses, or claims of any sort which may arise out of or result from the
Engineer's performance of the work.
I 1.
This release of liability shall be binding upon the parties, their
successors and assigns, after it has been duly executed. IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the City by and through its Mayor or his representative, the
Owners by each of them, and the Engineer by their authorized Partner have
hereunto subscribed their names this day of
1986.
CITY:
CITY OF SALINA, KANSAS
By
Mayor
OWNER:
RODNEY G. NITZ
LAURIN W. SCHUTTER
ENGINEER:
BUCHER, WILLIS 6 RATLIFF, Consulting
Engineers, Planners b Architects
By.
Founding Partner