Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/276457
22 March 2014 Better Roads InCourt by Brian Morrow, P.E., Esq. Attorney Brian Morrow is a partner in Newmeyer & Dillion LLP and a licensed civil engineer specializing in construction law, including road and heavy construction. brian.morrow@ndlf.com T he distinction between a public and private work of improvement is an important one for contractors. Public works of improvements are subject to laws that do not affect private projects. For example, public projects are subject to bonding requirements, prevailing wage requirements and other laws and requirements that do not apply to private jobs. Although it is typically obvious whether a project is public or private, the distinction is not always clear. In a recent California case – R&R Pipeline, Inc. v. Bond Safeguard Insurance Co. (Jan. 27, 2014) – the court held that a contractor who provided storm drain and sewer work for a golf course subdivision could bring a lawsuit to enforce a subdivision improvement bond because the project was private and not public. In May 2008, R&R entered into a written contract with Los Valles Company, LP for infrastructure work on land being developed by Los Valles as a golf course and residential community. The project involved an 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and 209 residential lots in Los Angeles County near Castaic, California. The project included the construction of improvements such as streets, sidewalks, gutters, storm drains and sewers, which were to be dedicated to the county upon completion. As part of the project, in December 2006, Los Valles entered into a Public Works Multiple Agreement (Multiple Agreement) with Los Angeles County. The Multiple Agreement required Los Valles to complete the subdivision improvements, including the work contracted for with R&R, to receive a final map. Bond Safeguard issued labor and material payment bonds cov- ering the work. The County was the beneficiary under the bonds, and Los Valles was the principal. The bonds provided that Bond Safeguard would pay for any work or labor performed by R&R under its contract with Los Valles. The work was to be completed by Los Valles to the satisfaction of the County. R&R performed work up to Oct. 1, 2008. R&R performed its work, and Los Valles breached the contract by failing to pay the sums due. R&R claimed it was owed more than $1.2 million, includ- ing $1,085,858.64 under the contract, and an ad- ditional $150,000 in restocking charges on materials ordered. In December 2008, R&R filed a lawsuit against Los Valles. On May 17, 2011, R&R first notified Bond Safeguard in writing of its claims. R&R did not give written notice to the county. On July 25, 2011, R&R named Bond Safeguard as a defendant in its lawsuit. None of the subdivision improvements were completed and dedicated or accepted by the county. The trial court ruled against R&R and in favor of Bond Safeguard. The trial court found the project was a public work of improvement, based on the Multiple Agreement that required Los Valles to construct im- provements (sewers, storm drains, and tunnels) accord- ing to the County's approved plans. Since it found the project was a public work, the trial court found R&R failed to give timely notice of its claim to the County or Bond Safeguard and entered judgment for Bond Safeguard. R&R appealed. The appeals court reviewed the record and found the Multiple Agreement was not a public works contract Public vs. Private Distinction Why knowing the allowable timeline to bring a lawsuit is important