Opinion
No. 04-16-00536-CV
10-04-2016
BEXAR-MEDINA-ATASCOSA COUNTIES WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 (BMA), Appellant (Cross-Appellee) v. BANDERA COUNTY RIVER AUTHORITY AND GROUNDWATER DISTRICT (BCRAGD), Appellee (Cross-Appellant)
From the 198th Judicial District Court, Bandera County, Texas
Trial Court No. CV-13-351
Honorable M. Rex Emerson, Judge Presiding
ORDER OF REFERRAL
After reviewing the parties' responses to this court's prior order, the court has determined this appeal is appropriate for referral to alternative dispute resolution. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 154.021(a); 4TH TEX. APP. (SAN ANTONIO) LOC. R. 2. It is therefore ORDERED that this appeal is referred to a mediated settlement conference to be conducted by the Honorable Michael Peden, Ford Murray, PLLC, 10001 Reunion Place, Ste. 640, San Antonio, Tx 78216, (210) 731-6400, the Mediator selected by the parties.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that all appellate deadlines are hereby suspended until November 18, 2016.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that mediation shall commence at such place as the Mediator may designate and proceed in accordance with the schedule set by the Mediator until completed, but in any event the mediation shall be completed no later than forty-five (45) days from the date of this Order. The Mediator shall file with the Clerk of Court within three (3) days of the completion of the mediation a written report concerning the disposition of this appeal.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that the Mediator shall be compensated and that parties in this cause shall be equally responsible for its share of this obligation. Mediation fees shall ultimately be taxed as court costs. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 154.054.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that all parties to this cause are directed to attend the mediated settlement conference with their counsel of record. The corporate party representative in attendance and the individual party representatives shall have full authority to settle up to and including the judgment amount. To facilitate this procedure, the Mediator shall encourage and assist, but will not compel or coerce the parties in reaching a settlement of the dispute. Unless the parties otherwise agree, all matters, including the conduct and demeanor of the parties and their counsel during mediation, shall remain confidential and shall never be disclosed to anyone, including this court. See id. § 154.053.
If the parties are able to settle all matters related to this appeal, the parties are directed to file a joint motion requesting an appropriate disposition of this appeal within thirty (30) days of the date of mediation.
It is so ORDERED on October 4, 2016.
/s/_________
Marialyn Barnard, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 4th day of October, 2016.
/s/_________
Keith E. Hottle, Clerk ENTERED THIS 4TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2016.