Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-00992/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-00992-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans w/ Disabilities Act (ADA)

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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PAUL L. REIN, Esq. (SBN 43053) 

AARON M. CLEFTON, Esq. (SBN 318680) 

REIN & CLEFTON, Attorneys at Law 

200 Lakeside Drive, Suite A

Oakland, CA 94612 

Telephone: 510/832-5001 

Facsimile: 510/832-4787 

info@reincleftonlaw.com

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

JOHN SCHULZ 

KIMBERLY Y. CHIN, State Bar No. 271333 

kchin@aghwlaw.com

CHRISTINA M. FORST, State Bar No. 306632 

cforst@aghwlaw.com

ALLEN, GLAESSNER, HAZELWOOD & WERTH, LLP 

180 Montgomery Street, Suite 1200 

San Francisco, CA 94104 

Telephone: (415) 697-2000 

Facsimile: (415) 813-2045 

Attorneys for Defendant 

SAN MATEO COUNTY HARBOR DISTRICT 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

JOHN SCHULZ, 

Plaintiff,

v.

KETCH JOANNE RESTAURANT & 

HARBOR BAR, a California 

Corporation, SAN MATEO COUNTY 

HARBOR DISTRICT, a Government 

Entity

Defendants.

 Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

 Civil Rights 

CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] 

ORDER FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF FOR 

INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, DAMAGES, AND 

ATTORNEY FEES, LITIGATION 

EXPENSES, AND COSTS

Action Filed: February 22, 2019

1. Plaintiff JOHN SCHULZ filed a Complaint in this action on February 22, 

2019, to enforce provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), 42 

U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., and California civil rights laws and to obtain recovery of damages 

for discriminatory experiences, denial of access, and denial of civil rights against Defendants 

KETCH JOANNE RESTAURANT & HARBOR BAR and SAN MATEO COUNTY 

Case 3:19-cv-00992-MMC Document 36 Filed 01/06/20 Page 1 of 9
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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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HARBOR DISTRICT. Plaintiff has alleged that Defendants violated Titles II and III of the 

ADA; Sections 51, 51.7, 52, 54, 54.1, 54.3 and 55, of the California Civil Code, section 4450 

of the California Government Code; and Health and Safety Code §§ 19953 et. seq. by failing 

to provide full and equal access to users of the Ketch Joanne Restaurant & Harbor Bar at 17 

Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, California. Defendants deny any and all liability. 

2. In order to avoid the costs, expense, and uncertainty of protracted litigation, 

Plaintiff and Defendants (together sometimes the “Parties”) agree to entry of this Consent 

Decree and Order to resolve all claims regarding injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ 

fees, litigation expenses and costs, raised in the Complaint without the need for protracted 

litigation. Accordingly, the Parties agree to the entry of this Order without trial or further 

adjudication of any issues of fact or law concerning Plaintiff’s claims for relief. 

JURISDICTION:

3. The Parties to this Consent Decree and Order agree that the Court has 

jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1331 for alleged violations of the 

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. sections 12101 et seq. and pursuant to 

supplemental jurisdiction for alleged violations of California Civil Code sections 51, 54, and 

54.1.

WHEREFORE, the Parties to this Consent Decree hereby agree and stipulate to the 

Court's entry of this Consent Decree and Order, which provide as follows: 

SETTLEMENT OF INJUNCTIVE RELIEF: 

4. This Order shall be a full, complete, and final disposition and settlement of 

Plaintiff’s claims against Defendants for injunctive relief that have arisen out of or which 

could have been alleged based on the subject Complaint.

5. The Parties agree and stipulate that the corrective work will be performed in 

compliance with the standards and specifications for disabled access as set forth in the 

California Code of Regulations, Title 24-2, and Americans with Disabilities Act Standards 

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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for Accessible Design, unless other standards are specifically agreed to in this Consent 

Decree and Order. 

a. Physical Remedial Measures and Administrative Procedures: 

Defendants shall perform the remedial work set forth in the report 

attached to this Consent Decree as Exhibit A. 

b. Policy Based Remedial Measures and Administrative Procedures:

i. Defendants agree to keep existing restrooms open to the public until 

time of construction to create unisex accessible restroom 

ii. Defendant Ketch shall post a sign that states “Accessible Restrooms 

Coming Soon. If you need assistance finding an accessible restroom 

please let us know.” Defendant Ketch will provide an reasonable 

assistance with accessible restroom access. 

iii. Defendant Ketch agrees that within 30 days from the date of filing this 

document with the Court, Defendant Ketch will make the following 

policy commitments: All staff, including managers, will be trained to 

offer reasonable accommodations for disabled persons, including 

affirmatively inquiring with disabled patrons as to whether they may 

need any reasonable accommodations by way of a written ADA policy 

and Procedure Manual. Defendant Ketch agrees to make reasonable 

accommodations in their policies and practices when interacting with 

disabled patrons. 

iv. Defendant Ketch agrees that by January 31, 2020, it will obtain an 

insurance policy with coverage for claims arising out of the ADA or 

inform the Harbor District that it cannot obtain such coverage along 

with the reasons why. 

c. Timing: Defendant Ketch will complete each assigned item on the schedule 

stated in this Consent Decree by June 1, 2020, barring unknown 

circumstances beyond their control. Defendant Harbor District will complete 

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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each assigned item on the schedule stated in this Consent Decree by June 1, 

2020, barring unknown circumstances beyond their control, subject to the 

Board of the Harbor District’s approval. In the event that unforeseen 

difficulties or good faith, reasonable construction or administrative related 

delays prevent any Defendant from completing any of the agreed-upon 

injunctive relief, that Defendant or its counsel will notify Plaintiff’s counsel in 

writing within seven (7) days of discovering the delay. Plaintiff will have 

thirty (30) days to investigate and meet and confer with that Defendants, and 

to approve the delay by stipulation or otherwise respond to that Defendant’s 

notice. Plaintiff will provide a reasonable extension and continue to based on 

the circumstances that are not within the control of Defendants. If the Parties 

cannot reach agreement regarding the delay within that time period, Plaintiff 

may seek enforcement by the Court. 

d. Defendants or defense counsel will notify Plaintiff’s counsel when the 

corrective work is completed, and, whether completed or not, will 

provide a status report to Plaintiff’s counsel no later than June 1, 2020. 

e. If Defendants fail to provide injunctive relief on the agreed upon 

timetable, and Plaintiff files a motion with the Court to obtain 

compliance with these terms, Plaintiff reserves the right to seek 

additional attorney’s fees for any compliance work necessitated by 

Defendants’ failure to keep this agreement. If the Parties disagree, the 

parties agree to participate in an ADR Program sponsored mediation. 

f. If the mediation fails to resolve the dispute, Plaintiff may seek relief 

via motion for an order directing the Defendants to comply with the 

terms of the settlement agreement and pay Plaintiff’s counsel 

reasonably incurred fees.

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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DAMAGES, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, LITIGATION EXPENSES, AND COSTS: 

6. Defendant Harbor District agrees to pay Plaintiff a total of $63,000 for 

Plaintiff’s damages, attorney fees, litigation expenses, and costs. The damages, attorney fees, 

litigation expenses and costs shall be paid by check payable to “REIN & CLEFTON IN 

TRUST FOR JOHN SCHULZ” and delivered to Plaintiff’s counsel’s office, located at 200 

Lakeside Drive, Suite A, Oakland California, by close of business on January 8, 2020.

7. Defendant Ketch agrees to reimburse the Harbor District a total of $10,000. This 

amount shall be paid over the course of 10 months in equal installments of $1,000. Each 

installment shall be paid by the close of the first business day of each month with the first 

payment made on or by February 3, 2020. The installment shall be paid by check payable to 

“SAN MATEO COUNTY HARBOR DISTRICT” and delivered to the Harbor District at P.O 

Box 1449, El Granada, CA 94018 (if by mail) or 504 Avenue Alhambra, 2nd Floor, El 

Granada, CA 94018 (if in person).

ENTIRE CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER: 

8. This Consent Decree and Order constitute the entire agreement between the 

signing Parties on the matters of injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, litigation 

expenses, and costs, and no other statement, promise, or agreement, either written or oral, 

made by any of the Parties or agents of any of the Parties that is not contained in this written 

Consent Decree and Order, shall be enforceable regarding the matters of injunctive relief 

described herein.

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER BINDING ON PARTIES AND SUCCESSORS IN 

INTEREST:

9. This Consent Decree and Order shall be binding on Plaintiff, Defendants, and 

any successors-in-interest. Defendants have a duty to so notify all such successors-in-interest 

of the existence and terms of this Consent Decree and Order during the period of the Court's 

jurisdiction of this Consent Decree and Order.

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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10. Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree and Order each of 

the Parties to this Consent Decree and Order, on behalf of each of their respective agents, 

representatives, predecessors, successors, heirs, partners, and assigns, releases and forever 

discharges each other Party and all officers, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries, joint 

venturers, stockholders, partners, parent companies, employees, agents, attorneys, insurance 

carriers, heirs, predecessors, and representatives of each other Party, from all claims, 

demands, actions, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, presently known or 

unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with the lawsuit. 

MUTUAL RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542: 

11. Each of the Parties to this Consent Decree and Order understands and agrees 

that there is a risk and possibility that, subsequent to the execution of this Consent Decree 

and Order, any or all of them will incur, suffer, or experience some further loss or damage 

with respect to the lawsuit that is unknown or unanticipated at the time this Consent Decree 

and Order is signed. Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree and Order, the 

Parties intend that this Consent Decree and Order apply to all such further loss with respect 

to the lawsuit, except those caused by the Parties subsequent to the execution of this Consent 

Decree and Order. Therefore, except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree and 

Order, this Consent Decree and Order shall apply to and cover any and all claims, demands, 

actions, and causes of action by the Parties to this Consent Decree with respect to the lawsuit, 

whether the same are known, unknown, or hereafter discovered or ascertained, and the 

provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code are hereby expressly waived. Section 

1542 provides as follows: 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS 

THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT 

KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT 

THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF 

KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY 

AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE 

DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY. 

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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12. Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree and Order each of the 

Parties to this Consent Decree and Order, on behalf of each, their respective agents, 

representatives, predecessors, successors, heirs, partners, and assigns, releases and forever 

discharges each other Party and all officers, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries, joint venturers, 

stockholders, partners, parent companies, employees, agents, attorneys, insurance carriers, heirs, 

predecessors, and representatives of each other Party, from all claims, demands, actions, and 

causes of action of whatever kind or nature, presently known or unknown, arising out of or in 

any way connected with the lawsuit.

TERM OF THE CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER: 

13. This Consent Decree and Order shall be in full force and effect for a period of 

eighteen (18) months after the date of entry of this Consent Decree and Order by the Court. 

SEVERABILITY: 

14. If any term of this Consent Decree and Order is determined by any court to be 

unenforceable, the other terms of this Consent Decree and Order shall nonetheless remain in 

full force and effect. 

SIGNATORIES BIND PARTIES: 

15. Signatories on the behalf of the Parties represent that they are authorized to 

bind the Parties to this Consent Decree and Order. This Consent Decree and Order may be 

signed in counterparts and a facsimile signature shall have the same force and effect as an 

original signature.

END OF PAGE.

SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON THE NEXT PAGE AND ORDER IS AT THE END 

OF THE DOCUMENT.

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CONSENT DECREE AND [PROPOSED] ORDER 

Case No. 3:19-cv-00992-MMC 

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ORDER

Pursuant to stipulation, and for good cause shown, IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: _________, 2019 __________________________________

Honorable Maxine M. Chesney 

U.S. District Court Judge 

January 6, 2020 ______________________________

Honorable Maxine M. Chesney 

U S District Court Judge

Case 3:19-cv-00992-MMC Document 36 Filed 01/06/20 Page 9 of 9