CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: July 18, 2022 Action Approval of Resolution Required: Presenter: Lisa Robertson, City Attorney Staff Lisa Robertson, City Attorney Contacts: Title: Approving Settlement of Disputed Real Estate Assessment (Omni Hotel) (1 of 2 readings) Background In March 2021 the Omni Charlottesville Virginia Corporation ("Omni") filed an action in the Charlottesville Circuit Court, challenging the City's real estate assessment for Tax Year 2020; subsequently, the lawsuit was amended to include a challenge to the City's real estate assessment for Tax Year 2021. The Omni currently has an appeal pending before the City's Board of Equalization (BOE) challenging its real estate assessment for Tax Year 2022. Discussion Over the course of the past year, attorneys for the Omni and for the City (the law firm of Gentry Locke) have engaged in mutual discussions regarding the challenged assessments. At this time the parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement, which would not become effective unless approved by action of City Council. Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan N/A Community Engagement N/A Budgetary Impact The fiscal impact of the proposed settlement to the City is a total of $150,099.19. Recommendation Approval. Suggested Motion: "I move the RESOLUTION approving the Settlement Agreement and Release between the Omni Charlottesville Virginia Corporation and the City of Charlottesville, made as of July 1, 2022." Alternatives If the City Council elects not to approve the Settlement Agreement and Release, then City City and the Omni would proceed to trial in Charlottesville Circuit Court Case No. CL21-116 and within the Board of Equalization appeal of the Omni's assessment for Tax Year 2022. Attachments 1. RESOLUTION for Omni Settlement Agreement