Free Joint Preliminary Status Report - District Court of Federal Claims - federal

Case 1:07-cv-00285-MMS

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Filed 09/27/2007

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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS ELIP, LLC, ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) ) Defendant. ) __________________________________________)

Hon. Margaret M. Sweeney

No. 07-285

JOINT PRELIMINARY STATUS REPORT Plaintiff ELIP, LLC, and Defendant, United States of America, by and through their respective counsel, hereby submit this Joint Preliminary Status Report pursuant to the Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims, Appendix A ("RCFC"). A. JURISDICTION Assuming that Plaintiff can establish the necessary facts and that litigation of this matter becomes necessary, the parties agree that the Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1491, confers jurisdiction on this Court to adjudicate a claim of a Fifth Amendment taking. B. CONSOLIDATION The parties do not believe this case should be consolidated with any other case. C. BIFURCATION The parties believe that these proceedings should be bifurcated between the liability and damages phases. D. DEFERRAL OF PROCEEDINGS The parties believe that this case may be appropriate for resolution by settlement. In the

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event that settlement proceedings are fruitful, Defendant foresees staying these proceedings until a final settlement is reached. E. REMAND OR SUSPENSION The parties are not seeking a remand or suspension. F. ADDITIONAL PARTIES The parties do not anticipate the addition of any other parties to this suit. G. MOTIONS Plaintiff's Statement Plaintiff will file a Motion for Summary Judgment on the Issue of Liability pursuant to RCFC 56(c) before the deadline the Court indicates in its Preliminary Scheduling Order should Defendant retreat from previous admissions on the issue of whether the United States is liable for a taking of Plaintiff's property. Defendant's Statement In the event that this matter is not resolved through settlement, Defendant anticipates the filing of a dispositive motion. H. RELEVANT FACTUAL AND LEGAL ISSUES Plaintiff's Statement 1. The Defendant admits that it installed a tower for use by air traffic controllers at

Lansing City Airport (Ans. ¶ 6). Defendant admits that it maintains this tower without paying rent (Id. at ¶¶ 8, 10) on property to which Plaintiff holds title. Defendant has acknowledged that the parties do not dispute whether the United States is liable for a taking of Plaintiff's property. Should Defendant refuse to admit liability, Plaintiff will file a Motion for Summary Judgment on

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the Issue of Liability. 2. 3. What amount of compensation is Plaintiff due? Should Defendant be sanctioned pursuant to RCFC 11(c)(1) -(4) for making

representations to the Court intended to harass a party or cause unnecessary delay; for making claims not warranted by existing law or a nonfrivolous argument; for making allegations and other factual contentions without evidentiary support; and for denying factual contentions when not warranted on the evidence. Defendant's Statement 1. 2. I. Is the United States liable for a taking of Plaintiff's property? What amount of compensation is Plaintiff due?

SETTLEMENT The parties have engaged in limited settlement discussions at this time. The parties

believe that this case may be appropriate for resolution by settlement. In the event that settlement proceedings are fruitful, Defendant foresees staying these proceedings until a final settlement is reached. J. TRIAL Plaintiff's Statement Plaintiff does not anticipate that trial will be required so long as Defendant does not retreat from previous admissions on the issue of whether the United States is liable for a taking of Plaintiff's property. Defendant's Statement Defendant does not anticipate that trial will be required.

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K.

ELECTRONIC CASE MANAGEMENT NEEDS There are no special issues regarding electronic case management needs.

L.

OTHER There are no other matters that require the Court's attention at this time.

M.

DISCOVERY PLAN The parties intend to retain appraisal experts to conduct a valuation of the subject parcel.

Additionally, the parties request 90 days in which to conduct appropriate discovery as the need may arise through settlement discussions. Respectfully submitted by Defendant on behalf of Plaintiff and Defendant this 27th day of September, 2007. /s/ Andrew P. Abood THE ABOOD LAW FIRM BY: Andrew P. Abood 246 East Saginaw Street, Suite 100 East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Telephone: (248) 332-5900 Fax: (248) 332-0700 Counsel for Plaintiff. RONALD J. TENPAS Acting Assistant Attorney General Environment and Natural Resources Division /s/ Mark T. Romley Mark T. Romley Trial Attorney Natural Resources Section Environment & Natural Resources Division United States Department of Justice P. O. Box 663 Washington, D.C. 20044-0663 Telephone: (202) 305-0458 Fax: (202) 305-0506 Counsel for Defendant. 4