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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugusta Canal Authority For Improvement of the Augusta Canal Augusta Richmond GA DOCUMENT NAME: A l-L,\ ~ C,O-i'Cl \ Au...-I;:'nor \ +)1 . ~~" e. A,^-,\u.:)-to... Qo.l"OL\ DOCUMENT TYPE: ~"e.\'Y)e-i~ YEAR: Ot1 BOX NUMBER: 23 FILE NUMBER: \13Co. Co NUMBER OF PAGES: -9 fOr 3:..nl\p roV oneilf . . INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN AUGUST A, GEORGIA AND THE AUGUSTA. CANAL AUTHORITY FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE AUGUSTA CANAL THIS INTERGO~ENTAL AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of the / ij day of , 2004, by and between AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, acting by and through the Augusta,Richmon County Commission (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Consolidated Government") and the AUGUSTA CANAL AUTHORITY (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Authority"); WIT N E SSE T H: WHEREAS, there has heretofore been created as a body corporate and politic and deemed to be a political subdivision of the State of Georgia and a public corporation, the Augusta Canal Authority pursuant to the "Augusta Canal Authority Act" (Georgia Laws 1989, p. 4750 et seq., as amended), and the Authority is now legally existing and operating and its members have entered upon their duties; and -. ,'. WHEREAS, the Authority was created for the general purpose "to promote the revitalization and development of the City of Augusta through the creation in the project areas of parks, recreation areas, and all other facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith. The creation of such areas is intended to develop and promote for the public good and general welfare trade, tourism, commerce, industry and employment opportunities and to promote the general welfare of this state by creating a climate favorable to the location of new industry, trade, commerce and the development of existing industry, trade, commerce, and tourism opportunities with the City of Augusta"; and WHEREAS, the Authority was created for the further purpose "of promoting and expanding for the public good and welfare the public facilities of said areas, including the construction of streets, roadways, and parks and for the purposes of acquiring, constructing, adding to, extending, improving, equipping, maintaining any and all facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith, acquiring the necessary property therefor, both real and personal, with the right to contract for the use of or to lease or sell any or all of such facilities, including real property, and to do any and all things-deemed by the authority necessary, convenient, or desirable for and incident to the efficient and proper development, revitalization, modernization, and operation thereof'; and WHEREAS, a "Project" is defined by the Augusta Canal Authority Act as "any undertaking of the authority in connection with the revitalization and development of the City of Augusta within a project area, and shall be declared to include the creation of parks and recreation areas; building to be constructed and used for the housing of exhibits. exhibition purposes, amusement or educational purposes, or any combination of the above; public parking areas and public parking buildings; causeways, tunnels, viaducts, bridges, and other crossings; thoroughfares, parkways, and any avenue of traffic; ;and all other buildings, structures, or facilities useful arid desirable in connection therewith, extension and improvements of such facilities, and the acquisition of the necessary 1 C:\J)OCUME--l \dhduprcc\LOCALS-l\fcmp\1nrc,gnvcmmcnlQI Contrua 5.4-04.dnc property therefor, both real and personal, in order to accomplish the essential public purpose for which the authority is created"; and WHEREAS, after careful study and investigation, the Consolidated Government and the Authority have determined that it is in their best interest to implement certain work in the Augusta Third Level Canal which shall generally consist of all channel improvements, bridges, culverts, gates and appurtenance works as outlined in the "Augusta Canal Third Level Improvement Study" prepared for Augusta by Cranston, Robertson & Whitehurst, P.C. dated May, 1999, for that portion of the Third Level Canal located between the first railroad trestle south/southeast of 7'h Street!Twiggs Street and 12'h Street, which Study is attached hereto as Exhibit A. This work shall also include additional excavation work necessary to achieve the canal profile generally as set forth in the 1999 Plan. The work shall include clearing the Augusta Canal of vegetation, brush and trash from 12th Street to approximately 460 ft. south/southeast of7th Street!Twiggs Street and restoring it ("Civil Work Project"). The Civil Work Project is more fully described in the Remediation, Restoration and Indemnification Agreement, by and among the Consolidated Government and Atlanta Gas Light Company dated February 25, 2004 ("Remediation Agreement"), and the Construction Contract between and among the Consolidated Government, Atlanta Gas Light Company and Williams Environmental Services, Inc., dated February 25, 2004 ("Construction Contract"); and WHEREAS, the AuthOrity has agreed to accept an assignment of the Consolidated Government's interests in the Construction Contract and to perform all of the Consolidated Government's responsibilities under the Construction Contract; and WHEREAS, in order to fund the Civil Work Project, the Authority will issue up to $8,000,000 in aggregate principal amount ofits Augusta Canal Authority Revenue Note, Series 2004 (th~ "Series 2004 Note") pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Authority on April 2 7, 2004 (the "Resolution") and a Loan Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2004 (the "Loan Agreement") , between the Authority and Bank of America, N.A. as lender (the "Lender"); and WHEREAS, the Series 2004 Note will be secured by the revenues and proceeds derived from the Consolidated Government by the Authority pursuant to this Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the benefits, covenants and undertakings hereinafter set forth, the adequacy of which is acknowledged by each party, it is agreed by the Consolidated Government and the Authority, each acting by and through its duly authorized officers, pursuant to proceedings duly adopted and properly passed, as follows: Section 1. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of the issuance and delivery of the Series 2004 Note and shall continue in full force and effect from said date until such time as the Series 2004 Note and any additional notes or obligations hereafter issued, which are secured pari passu with the Series 2004 Note, as to principal, interest and premium, if any, have been paid or provision has been duly made therefor, but in no event shall this Agreement continue in force and effect for more than 40 years from the date hereof. 2 C:\DQCUME-l\dhduprcc\LOCALS-l\Tcmp\1nlcrgllvcrnmcntol C"n<m" 5.4-04.doc ~ oJ' ".,." ~ ~'.o, ' .~,,,, ., ~ . Section 2. [Intentionally Omitted]. Section 3. The Authority covenants and agrees that: (a) The Series 2004 Note shall be issued under and shall be secured by the Loan Agreement. An executed copy of the Loan Agreement has been delivered to the Consolidated Government. (b) It shall cause the Civil Work to be constructed in accordance with the terms of the Construction Contract and all moneys of the Authority derived under this Agreement, shall be received, pledged, held, invested, reinvested and disbursed in the manner set forth in the Loan Agreement, all for the benefit of the owners of the Series 2004 Note. (c) [Intentionally Omitted]. (d) It shall cause to be prepared in each fiscal year an annual budget for each ensuing fiscal year's debt service requirements and the cost of construction for the Civil Work Project. Such budget shall be prepared in reasonable detail. Such budget shall be submitted to the Consolidated Government for its review and approval on or prior to the 30th day subsequent to the close of each fiscal year of the Authority. Failure of the AuthOrity to make such budget available shall not release the Consolidated Government from its obligations hereunder, but the Consolidated Government shall have such remedies as may be available at law to require the Authority to produce such documents in reasonable detail and in a timely manner. Within 180 days following the close of each fiscal year of the Authority, the Authority shall cause an audit to be made of its books, records, bank accounts, receipts and revenues by a firm of certified public accountants. The Authority shall furnish copies of said audit to the Consolidated Government as soon as practicable after receipt of same from said firm of certified public accountants. (e) All payments made under the provlSiOns of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4 hereof shall be paid by the Consolidated Government directly to the Lender. Such payments shall not be commingled with any other funds of the Authority and such moneys so received shall forthwith be used and applied to the payment of principal, interest, premium (if any) and any other amounts then due on the Series 2004 Note or any other amounts then due under the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Documents as such term is defined in the Loan Agreement. (f) It shall permit an inspection and audit of all of its books and records by the Consolidated Government at any reasonable time or times at the Consolidated Government's expense. (g) A certified copy of the Resolution has been delivered to the Consolidated Government. 3 C:\DOCUME-lldhuuprccILOCALS-I\Tcmp\1nlcrg<lVCrnmcnml Contracr 5-4.04,Ul1C '.', \ ;", " ," Section 4. The Consolidated Government represents, covenants and agrees that: (a) Interest payments on the Series 2004 Note are due semi~annually on April 1 sr and October IS! of each year (the "Interest Payment Dates") with the first Interest Payment Date being October 1, 2004. Interest payments due on the Interest Payment Dates up to and including April 1, 2006, shall be paid by the Authority out of the proceeds of the Note and Loan Agreement. Thereafter, the Consolidated Government shall pay to the Lender at least 3 days prior to each Interest Payment Date until the principal of and interest on the Series 2004 Note shall have been paid in full or provision duly made therefor, a sum equal to the accrued and unpaid interest coming due on the next Interest Payment Date. Said payments shall be made as provided in paragraph (e) of Section 3 hereof directly to the Lender under the Loan Agreement for the account of the Authority and applied as set forth in paragraph (e) of Section 3 hereof. (b) The Consolidated Government shall, in addition to the payments made as required to comply with paragraph (a) above, pay to the Authority at least 3 days prior to April! in each year beginning April 1, 2007 (the "Principal Payment Dates") until the principal of the Series 2004 Note shall have been paid in full or until provision has been duly made therefor a sum which will be sufficient to pay the principal installment on the Series 2004 Note coming due on the next ensuing Principal Payment Date. Such payments, under this paragraph (b) shall be made directly to the Lender for the account of the Authority. In addition, the Consolidated Government shall make payments to the Lender for the account of the Authority of any other amounts which become due and owing from the Authority to the Lender under the Series 2004 Note, the Loan Agreement or the Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Loan Agreement) and as when such amounts become due. (c) The Consolidated Government shall make the payments required to be made pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section first from its general funds or out of any other funds lawfully available to it for such purpose, and to the extent that such funds are not so available to it, then it shall levy an annual tax beginning with the year 2004 and from year to year thereafter on all taxable property located within the boundaries of the Consolidated Government, as now existent and within any extension of said boundaries, at such rate or rates (within the limitation prescribed by the Constitution of the State of Georgia) as may be necessary to provide moneys sufficient to fulfill its obligations under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section. The Consolidated GovenUl1ent represents that the limitations provided by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Georgia with respect to the Consolidated Government's authority to levy an annual tax as contemplated hereby are not expected to limit the Consolidated Government's ability to make the payments set forth in this Agreement. (d) Its obligation to make the payments set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section at the times and in the manner specified shall be absolute and unconditional and such payments shall not be abated or reduced because of damage to or destruction of the Civil Work Project, in whole or in part, failure of proper operation and maintenance of the Civil Work Project or for any reason whatsoever. Furthermore, it will not exercise any right 4 C:\OOCUME-l\uhuupree\LOCALS-I\Temp\1nrer~ovemmcnral Contract 5.4.Q4,uoc of set-off or any other right with respect to such payment nor will it withhold any such payment for any claimed breach of this Agreement by the Authority. This provision is made expressly for the benefit of the owners, from time to time, of the Series 2004 Note and shall not affect the obligation of the Authority to perform under the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise, nor shall this provision otherwise affect the remedies available to the Consolidated Government on account of any such claimed breach. The Consolidated Government expressly acknowledges and agrees that the owners of the Series 2004 Note do not and shall not assume any of the obligations of the Authority under this Agreement. (e) In order to assure that the Authority will meet the debt service requirements on the Series 2004 Note and to assure the payments by the Consolidated Government required to comply with the provision of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section, there be and there is hereby created a lien on all revenues received by the Consolidated Government from any annual tax levied under and pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section, which lien is superior to any that can hereafter be made, except that this lien may be extended to cover any additional parity notes with the Series 2004 Note that hereafter may be issued. (f) The Consolidated Govenunent is a political subdivision of the State of Georgia duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia. (g) The execution and delivery by the Consolidated Government of and the performance by the Consolidated Government of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Consolidated Government and do not and will not: (i) violate any provisions of any law or any judgment, order or ruling of any court or governmental agency, or (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute, with notice or lapse of time of both, a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Consolidated Gove~nment is party or by which the Consolidated Government or any of its property is bound or under its organizational documents. (h) There is no pending or threatened actions or proceedings before any court or administrative or governmental agency that may adversely effect the financial condition or operations of the Consolidated Government or this Agreement other than those previously disclosed by the Consolidated Government to the Authority and Lender in writing. (i) This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Consolidated Government enforceable against the Consolidated Government in accordance with its tern1S. (j) The Consolidated Government has furnished to the Authority and to Lender, as the assignee of the Authority, financial statements dated J\.LIIL 2.0 , Z-~3 , 5 C:\DOCUME-l\dhuuprcc\LOCALS-I\Tcmp\lntcr~,'uvcrnmcnrnl Contract 5.4-04.u,>c (the "Financial Statements") which Financial Statements are true and correct in all material respects and were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals consistently applied and followed throughout the periods involved. Such Financial Statements fairly and accurately present the financial condition of the Consolidated Government as of the date indicated. Since the date of the latest Financial Statements referred to above, there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, business, operations or prospects of the Consolidated Government and there exists no material contingent liability or obligation assert able against the Consolidated Government that is not identified and disclosed in the Financial Statement. (k) During the term of this Agreement, the Consolidated Government shall furnish to the Authority within 180 days after the end of the Consolidated Government's, fiscal year, a copy of the Consolidated Government's annual audited financial statements for such fiscal year, which the Authority will provide to the Lender. These Financial Statements will be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals applied on a consistent basis in a form and content acceptable to the Authority and the Lender, as the assignee of the Authority, and by an independent certified public accountant acceptable to the Authority and the Lender, as assignee of the Authority. Section 5. Simultaneously, with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Consolidated Government shall assign to the Authority its interest in the Construction Contract and the Authority shall accept such assignment and carry out the Consolidated Government's obligations under the Construction Contract. Section 6. The parties mutually covenant and agree that: (a) As a part of the undertaking herein provided for, the Authority will be under the limited obligation to pay the principal and interest on of the Series 2004 Note and any other amounts due under the Note, Loan Agreement and Loan Documents, only out of the revenues and proceeds to be derived under the provisions of this Agreement, which revenues and proceeds shall be irrevocably pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Series 2004 Note and any other amounts due under the Note, Loan Agreement and Loan Documents as same become due and payable, either at maturity or by proceedings for prepayment, to the extent and in the manner to be provided in the Loan Agreement and Note. (b) This Agreement has been made for the benefit of the owners from time to time of the Series 2004 Note and may not be changed, amended, cancelled or terminated in any way which would adversely affect the rights or interests of such noteholders without their consent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the owners of the Series 2004 Note shall be deemed third party beneficiaries of this Agreement with the right to enforce the Consolidated Government's obligations to make payments under this Agreement. 6 C:\DOCUME-l\uhuuprcc\LOCALS-I\Tcmp\1nrcrgoycrnmcntDl Cuntract 5.4.04.uoc (c) This Agreement shall be pledged, assigned and set over to the Lender for the benefit of the owners from time to time of the Series 2004 Note, and the Consolidated Government shall make all payments required to be made pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4 hereof directly to the Lender for the account of the Authority as herein provided. (d) Moneys received by the Lender derived from the payments required to be made to comply with paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4 hereof in excess of the amounts then due will be used and applied to prepay any future payments due under the Series 2004 Note, the Loan Agreement and Loan Documents and if thereafter an excess still exists, such excess shall be returned to the Consolidated Government. (e) It is expressly provided that should it be determined advisable to raise additional funds at some later date or dates for the purpose of adding to, extending, improving or equipping the Civil Work Project, the Authority may issue additional revenue notes or obligations ranking as to lien on the revenues and proceeds of this Agreement payable to the Authority pari passu with the Series 2004 Notes and a new Agreement or supplemental agreement to this Agreement may be entered into between the parties hereto to that effect, and the lien on revenues created hereunder as the security for the payment of the Series 2004 Note will be extended and broadened to include the payment of the debt service on each such issue or issues of parity notes or obligations. (f) During the term of this Agreement, the Authority, its successors or assigns, shall not conveyor give away, sell or in any wise alienate any portion of the Civil Work Project without the written approval of the Consolidated Governni.ent. (g) When the Series 2004 Note and any parity notes or obligations therewith shall have been fully paid as to interest, principal and premium, if any, and all other obligations owned by the Authority under the Loan Document shall have been paid or provision shall have been duly made therefore, the Consolidated Government shall be relieved of any obligations to make further payments hereunder. (h) If any disagreement shall arise between the parties hereto with reference to any of the terms, covenants and provisions of this Agreement, or with reference to any matter connected with same, except as to the payments required to be made by the Consolidated Government pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4 hereof, which shall be absolute and unconditional, such disagreement or disputeimme~iately shall be submitted and decided by arbitrators. Each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two so appointed shall select three additional arbitrators and three of the five so chosen shall control and their decision in the matter shall be binding on the parties thereto; provided, however, that if the two arbitrators first chosen cannot agree on three additional arbitrators, such three additional arbitrators shall be appointed by one of the judges of the Superior Court of Richmond County by application of any of the parties thereto. The submission of such disagreement or disputes to arbitration shall be a condition precedent to any action before 7 C:\DOCUME -1 \dhdup,cc\LOCALS-l \T cmp\1nlcrgovcrnmcntal Conl"'c, 5.4-04.doc , . any court oflaw or equity. It is further expressly provided, however, that each of the parties hereto shall have the right to protect its rights and interests and to seek such remedies and. relief as provided by law, it being the intent hereof, that this provision is primarily for the benefit of the third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, ro,wit: the owners of the Series 2004 Note and any parity obligations therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and in addition ~o all other rights and remedies available to the Lender under this Agreement, the Loan Agreement, at law or in equity, upon the occurrence of an event of default by the Consolidated Government of its representations, covenants, agreements or obligations under the Agreement, the Authority and its assignee the Lender, may: (i) By mandamus or other suit, action or proceedings at law or in equity, enforce the obligations of the Consolidated Government, and any of their officers, agents and employees and require and compel the Consolidated Government, or such officer, agent or employee to perform and carry out its or his duties and obligations under this Agreement to make payments as provided for herein; (ii) By action or suit in equity enjoin any acts or things which may be . unlawful or in violation of the rights of the Authority and its assignee the Lender to receive payments under this Agreement; (iii) Proceed with any right or remedy granted by the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, as it may deem best, including any suit, action or special proceeding in equity or at law for the specific performance of the obligations of the Consolidated Government to make payments hereunder. The rights herein specified are to be cumulative to all other available rights, remedies, or powers and shall not exclude any such rights, remedies or powers. (i) Should any phrase, clause, sentence or paragraph of this contract be held to be invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable it shall in no wise affect the remaining provisions of this contract, which said provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and if any provision hereof shall be held invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable as to the Consolidated Government, it shall in no wise affect its application to the other. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, acting by and through their duly authorized officers, pursuant to authorizing proceedings duly taken, have caused this contract to be executed in several counterparts, each of which may be considered an original without the presentation of the other, as of the day and year first above written. AUGUSTA CANAL AUTHORITY (SEAL) 8 C:\DOCUME-l\dhduprcc\LOCALS-I\Tcmp\1nlcr~ovcrnmcntal Conrracl5-4-04.doc . .. " - . B~~--:>::; I ts Chairman ..; .t. " j 'J." r AUGUSTA, GEORGIA ~~ (SEAL) ~BY, ~~~~ 1 Its Mayor ~ttest: ~ Jh ~. t Cler 9 C:\DOCUME-l \dhduprcc\LOCALS-l\T cmp\1nrcrgovcrnmcntnl Contract 5-4.04.doc