HomeMy WebLinkAboutA011 - Attorney's Opinion dated April 21, 2009 NYEMASTERGooDE
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A.1 F0RNEYS&COUNSELORS XF LANN'
James B.West John F.Lorentzen Willard L.Boyd III Debra L.Hulett Hannah M.Rogers REGISTERED PATENT
Edgar F.Hansell Rod Kubat Jeffrey W.Courter Mark A.Schultheis Kathleen K.Law ATTORNEYS
R.Craig Shives Steven J.Roy Hallie E.Still-Canis Sarah J.Gayer Jason L.Giles Glenn Johnson
Keith E.Luchtel Frank B.Harty David W.Benson John T.Clendenin Mitchell R.Kunert Robert W.Hoke
Robert A.VanOrsdel James C.Wine Brian J.Humke Neal K.Westin Kristina M.Stanger Wendy K.Marsh
Richard J.Sapp Bruce W.Baker Paula S.Dierenfeld Stephanie L.Marett Brian D.Torresi Ryan N.Carter
G.R.Neumann Thomas W.Foley Coreen K.Sweeney Jordan B.Hansell Michael J.Dayton
Gregory P.Page Steven H.Lytle Antonio Colacino Cory R.Harris Anna W.Mundy OF COUNSEL
Randall G.Horstmann Terry C.Hancock Jill M.Stevenson Stephanie G.Techau Bridget C.Shapansky Samuel G.O'Brien
Jay Eaton Anthony A.Longnecker Angel A.West Patrick B.White Patricia A.Scallon L.R.Voigts
Bradford L.Austin Kevin H.Collins Angela L.Watson Cook Brad C.Epperly Matthew R.Eslick Gerald J.Newbrough
Sara J.Sersland Joseph A.Quinn Mary E.Funk Scott A.Sundstrom Sarah J.Hastings Carlton T.King
Hayward L.Draper Wade H.Schut Randall D.Armentrout Angela C.Brick Andrew M.Graap Drew R.Tillotson
Michael W.Thrall Mark D.Aljets Thomas M.Cunningham Benjamin P.Roach Christian P.Walk Frank B.Comfort
Mark C.Dickinson G.Thomas Sullivan Denise M.Mendt Victoria A.Feilmeyer Vidhya K.Reddy Russell E.Schrage
Gregory B.Wilcox Thomas H.Walton Robert D.Andeweg K.Dwayne Vande Krol Roger L.Ferris
Luther L.Hill,Jr.
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April 21, 2009 1
Diane Voss [_APR 2 2 2009
City of Ames, Iowa
515 Clark Avenue C11Y CLERK
Ames, IA 50010 CITY OF AMES,IOWA
RE: Somerset Subdivision Twenty-third Addition, Ames, Story County, Iowa (the
"Subdivision")
Dear Ms. Voss:
This letter is being written at the request of City Attorney Judy Parks to explain the issue
that arose on Friday, April 17, 2009, in regard to the recording of the platting documents for the
Subdivision. Apparently, on such date, personnel from the Story County Auditor's notified Sara
Calvert from Abstract and Title Services of Story County that the legal description of the
Subdivision as shown on the Final Plat was inconsistent with the legal description shown on
other documents. Specifically, the Final Plat showed that the legal description of the Subdivision
was:
Lots Fifty-two (52), Fifty-three (53), Fifty-four (54), Fifty-five (55), Fifty-six
(56), Fifty-seven (57), Fifty-eight (58), Fifty-nine (59), Sixty (60), Sixty-one (61),
Sixty-two (62) and Sixty-three (63) in Somerset Subdivision Second Addition,
Ames, Story County, Iowa(the"Correct Legal Description").
The legal description of the Subdivision on other platting documents, including the City
Resolution Accepting Plat, erroneously omitted Lot Sixty-three (63). The Story County
Recorder was able to change the scrivener's error on the documents but inquired as to whether
the City Resolution could be amended without prior authorization. After speaking with you and
Judy Parks, we determined that the Final Plat that was approved by City Council contained the
Brian D.Torresi
Direct Number:(515)956-3914•Facsimile:(515)956-3990•E-Mail:bdtorresi@nyemaster.com
1416 Buckeye Avenue,Suite 200•Ames,IA 50010-8070•(515)956-3900
With offices in Des Moines,Ames and Cedar Rapids
www.nyemaster.com
April 21, 2009
Page 2
Correct Legal Description and the other platting documents merely contained scrivener's errors
that can be changed by the Story County Recorder. Judy Parks thus authorized me to inform the
appropriate parties that they had authorization from the City of Ames to amend the scrivener's
error identified in the City Resolution. Accordingly, contact was made with Sara Calvert who
relayed such authorization to the Story County Recorder. I understand that the amendments
were in fact made and the documents were subsequently recorded.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have concerning this matter and
thank you for your assistance and cooperation in getting this matter resolved.
Very truly yours,
Brian D. Torresi
BDT
Cc: Judy Parks, City Attorney