HomeMy WebLinkAboutBRIAN PETTET 30(b)(6) 11-15-2023_full_ex·1· · · · · ·DISTRICT COURT, GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
·2· · · · · · · · · · · CASE NO: 22CV30052
·3
·4· · · · · · ·ST. FINNBAR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION, A
·5· · · · · · · · COLORADO NONPROFIT CORPORATION
·6· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Plaintiff
·7
·8· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · V.
·9
10· · · · · · · ·RANCH AT ROARING FORK HOMEOWNERS
11· · ·ASSOCIATION, INC., A COLORADO NONPROFIT CORPORATION,
12· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·Defendant
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21· ·DEPONENT:· BRIAN PETTET ON BEHALF OF RANCH AT ROARING
22· · · · · · · FORK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., A COLORADO
23· · · · · · · NONPROFIT CORPORATION
24· ·DATE:· · · NOVEMBER 15, 2023
25· ·REPORTER:· SABIA UNDERWOOD
·1· · · · · · · · · · · · ·APPEARANCES
·2
·3· ·ON BEHALF OF THE PLAINTIFF, ST. FINNBAR HOMEOWNER
·4· ·ASSOCIATION, A COLORADO NONPROFIT CORPORATION:
·5· ·Lucas F. Van Arsdale, Esquire
·6· ·Charles N. Simon, Esquire
·7· ·JOHNSTON | VAN ARSDALE | MARTIN PLLC
·8· ·901 Grand Avenue
·9· ·Suite 201
10· ·Post Office Box 878
11· ·Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
12· ·Telephone No.: (970) 922-2122
13· ·E-mail: lucas@jvamlaw.com
14· ·simon@jvamlaw.com
15
16· ·ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT, RANCH AT ROARING FORK
17· ·HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.:
18· ·Shoshana Rosenthal, Esquire
19· ·Karp Neu Hanlon, P.C.
20· ·201 14th Street
21· ·Suite 200
22· ·Post Office Box 2030
23· ·Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
24· ·Telephone No.: (970) 945-2261
25· ·E-mail: sr@mountainlawfirm.com
·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·INDEX
·2· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Page
·3· ·PROCEEDINGS· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6
·4· ·DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. VAN ARSDALE· · · · · 6
·5
·6
·7· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·EXHIBITS
·8· ·Exhibit· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Page
·9· ·47 - The Ranch at Roaring Fork - Fishing Map· 15
10· ·48 - The Ranch at Roaring Fork - Fishing Map
11· · · · - Fwac_Fishing_Mapf031721· · · · · · · · 16
12· ·49 - St. Finnbar Farm Subdivision -
13· · · · Zancella 002393· · · · · · · · · · · · · 22
14· ·50 - Norton Medical Record -
15· · · · January 16, 2022· · · · · · · · · · · · ·22
16· ·51 - Rule 30(b)(6) Amended Notice of
17· · · · Deposition· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·28
18· ·52 - Defendant's Objections and Responses to
19· · · · Plaintiff's First Set of Discovery
20· · · · Requests· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·29
21· ·53 - St. Finnbar Farm Subdivision
22· · · · Jurisdictional Delineation Plan· · · · · 56
23
24
25
·1· · · · · · · · · · ·EXHIBITS (CONTINUED)
·2· ·Exhibit· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Page
·3· ·54 - E-mail from Robert O'Brien to
·4· · · · James F. Fosnaught - Subject: Re:
·5· · · · St. Finnbar Dispute 1993 Fence Pic -
·6· · · · Ranch 000215· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·60
·7· ·55 - St. Finnbar Farm Subdivision -
·8· · · · Situated in Lots 6, 12, 13 and 19 of
·9· · · · Section 31, Township 7 South, Range 87
10· · · · West of the 6th P.M. County
11· · · · of Garfield, State of Colorado· · · · · ·76
12· ·56 - E-mail from Robert O'Brien to
13· · · · James F. Fosnaught - Subject: Re:
14· · · · St. Finnbar Dispute
15· · · · 1993 Fence Pic - Rance 000209· · · · · · 86
16· ·57 - Existing Conditions Map· · · · · · · · · 94
17· ·58 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes -
18· · · · February 11, 2019· · · · · · · · · · · ·102
19· ·59 - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes -
20· · · · July 1, 2019· · · · · · · · · · · · · · 104
21
22
23
24
25
·1· · · · · · · · · · · · ·STIPULATION
·2
·3· ·The 30(b)(6) deposition of BRIAN PETTET ON BEHALF OF
·4· ·RANCH AT ROARING FORK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., A
·5· ·COLORADO NONPROFIT CORPORATION was taken at KARP NEU
·6· ·HANLON, P.C., 201 14TH STREET, SUITE 200, GLENWOOD
·7· ·SPRINGS, COLORADO 81602, on WEDNESDAY the 15th day of
·8· ·NOVEMBER 2023 at approximately 8:57 a.m. (MT); said
·9· ·deposition was taken pursuant to the COLORADO Rules of
10· ·Civil Procedure.
11
12· ·It is agreed that SABIA UNDERWOOD, being a Notary Public
13· ·and Court Reporter for the State of COLORADO, may swear
14· ·the witness and that the reading and signing of the
15· ·completed transcript by the witness is not waived.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
·1· · · · · · · · · · · · · PROCEEDINGS
·2· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are on the record.· Mr. Pettet,
·3· · · · · will you please raise your right hand?
·4· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Uh-huh.· I will.
·5· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Do you solemnly swear or affirm
·6· · · · · that the testimony you're about to give will be
·7· · · · · the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
·8· · · · · truth?
·9· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yes.
10· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Thank you.· You may begin.
11· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Mr. Pettet, I said I was ready.
12· · · · · But it looks like you're still having breakfast.
13· · · · · Do you want to take a couple more minutes before
14· · · · · we get going?
15· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Yes.· Yeah.· Just finish this.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Okay.· Let's do that.
17· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Do you want to go off then?
18· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.· I can also sit here
19· · · · · quietly, okay?
20· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Okay.
21· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Okay.· Thank you.
22· · · · · · · · · DIRECT EXAMINATION
23· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
24· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Just quickly, can you please state your
25· ·name and spell your last name for the record?
·1· · · · A.· ·Yes.· Brian Pettet, P-E-T-T-E-T.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Mr. Pettet, before we get into the meat
·3· ·of things, there's a couple, just, sort of, ground rules
·4· ·that I want to go over with you.· One is everything that
·5· ·we do today is being recorded by the court reporter.
·6· ·There are a few things that that means that are a bit
·7· ·different from ordinary day-to-day conversation.
·8· · · · · · ·One is if we talk over each other, it makes it
·9· ·incredibly challenging for her to do her job.· So I will
10· ·do my best to not interrupt you.· I'm not promising I
11· ·won't.· But I will try hard.· And I'd like you to try to
12· ·be cognizant of that, too, with me.· When I'm asking a
13· ·question, please wait until I've stopped asking the
14· ·question before you start to speak.· If you need
15· ·clarification, if you don't understand the question,
16· ·that's okay, please speak up.· Just try to wait until
17· ·I'm done speaking before you ask me to clarify.· Does
18· ·that make sense?
19· · · · A.· ·Yes.
20· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Second thing about that is it's very
21· ·difficult, if not impossible, for her to record non-word
22· ·responses.· So a nod or a shake of the head or uh-huh or
23· ·uh-huh, things that we would use in ordinary dialogue
24· ·don't transcribe well.· In my experience, people will
25· ·often, as the hours wear by, start defaulting to normal
·1· ·modes of communication.· And so, if at some point I have
·2· ·to prompt you with, for example, was that a yes, please
·3· ·understand that I'm not being rude.· We just need to do
·4· ·a good job of preserving the transcript.· Does that make
·5· ·sense?
·6· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· Another thing is, you have to be
·8· ·here.· And you, mostly, have to answer my questions
·9· ·today.· But you're not technically my prisoner.· So it's
10· ·important for you to be comfortable.· If you need to
11· ·take a break for whatever reason, biological necessity
12· ·or just to get up and stretch your legs, no problem.
13· ·Just speak up, let me know.· We can pause as many times
14· ·as we need to get this done.
15· · · · · · ·The last thing is, it's important that you
16· ·understand the oath that you just took is the same as
17· ·the oath you would take on the stand in Court.· And your
18· ·deposition testimony can be used in Court in a lot of
19· ·ways to the same extent as your courtroom testimony.· Do
20· ·you understand that?
21· · · · A.· ·Yes.
22· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· For that reason, it's important for me
23· ·to verify that you were in a condition today where you
24· ·are capable of giving good, accurate testimony.· So I
25· ·need to ask: Are you on any medications or have you
·1· ·taken any substances that would affect your ability to
·2· ·remember accurately and to testify accurately today?
·3· · · · A.· ·No.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Do you have any physical or mental conditions
·5· ·that impair or affect your ability to remember
·6· ·accurately and testify accurately today?
·7· · · · A.· ·No.
·8· · · · Q.· ·And because we don't have you on video, your
·9· ·apparent age is not there for everyone.· Are you at
10· ·least 18 years old?
11· · · · A.· ·Yes.
12· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· What's your birthday?
13· · · · A.· ·My birthday is February 25, 1965.
14· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Have you ever had your deposition taken
15· ·before?
16· · · · A.· ·I have.
17· · · · Q.· ·In what role?
18· · · · A.· ·My role in -- with Pitkin County as the public
19· ·works director.
20· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Have you, outside of that context, ever
21· ·had your deposition taken?
22· · · · A.· ·No.
23· · · · Q.· ·How many times have you had your deposition
24· ·taken as the Pitkin County public works director?
25· · · · A.· ·Twice.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· How long ago were those?
·2· · · · A.· ·More than ten years.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What were the context of those two
·4· ·depositions?
·5· · · · A.· ·One was a contract dispute.· And the other was
·6· ·a road issue.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· You've never been deposed in connection
·8· ·with your role with the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
·9· · · · A.· ·No.
10· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And you've never been personally
11· ·involved in a lawsuit where you got your deposition
12· ·taken?
13· · · · A.· ·No.
14· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What is your role with the Ranch at
15· ·Roaring Fork?
16· · · · A.· ·I'm the President of the Homeowners
17· ·Association.
18· · · · Q.· ·How long have you served in that role?
19· · · · A.· ·Eight years.
20· · · · Q.· ·Before you took over as President, were you on
21· ·the Board?
22· · · · A.· ·No.
23· · · · Q.· ·So you joined the Board eight years ago for
24· ·the first time as well?
25· · · · A.· ·No.
·1· · · · Q.· ·When did you first join the board?
·2· · · · A.· ·2008.
·3· · · · Q.· ·And how long did you serve on the Board before
·4· ·becoming President?
·5· · · · A.· ·Could you say the question again?
·6· · · · Q.· ·How long did you serve on the board before
·7· ·becoming President?
·8· · · · A.· ·I didn't.
·9· · · · Q.· ·So you joined the Board in 2008 and you became
10· ·President in 2008?
11· · · · A.· ·Yes.
12· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So you've been Board President for
13· ·about 15 years?
14· · · · A.· ·No.
15· · · · Q.· ·Was there ever a intervening time where you
16· ·were off the Board?
17· · · · A.· ·Yes.
18· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· When was that?
19· · · · A.· ·2011 through 2018.· That's -- I'm trying to do
20· ·the math.· That's --
21· · · · Q.· ·So you joined the Board in 2008.· And you,
22· ·immediately, became Board President.· You served through
23· ·2011 where you got off the Board.· And then you resumed
24· ·your board position again as President starting in 2018.
25· ·Do you retain that role through today?
·1· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· How long have you lived in Roaring Fork
·3· ·Valley?
·4· · · · A.· ·32 years.
·5· · · · Q.· ·When did you move to the Ranch at Roaring
·6· ·Fork?
·7· · · · A.· ·2007.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Have you continuously resided there ever
·9· ·since?
10· · · · A.· ·Yes.
11· · · · Q.· ·Where'd you live before that?
12· · · · A.· ·Missouri Heights.
13· · · · Q.· ·What do you do for a living?
14· · · · A.· ·I -- I'm the Public Works Director for Pitkin
15· ·County.
16· · · · Q.· ·How long have you been doing that?
17· · · · A.· ·32 years.· Correction.· I've worked for Pitkin
18· ·County for 32 years.· The first ten, I was in a lesser
19· ·role.
20· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What's your education?
21· · · · A.· ·I have a bachelor's degree and a master's
22· ·degree.
23· · · · Q.· ·What's your bachelor's degree in?
24· · · · A.· ·Organizational Leadership.
25· · · · Q.· ·Where's that from?
·1· · · · A.· ·Purdue.
·2· · · · Q.· ·What's your master's in?
·3· · · · A.· ·Business Management.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Where'd you do that?
·5· · · · A.· ·Colorado State University.
·6· · · · Q.· ·What prompted you to exit the Board of the
·7· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork in 2011?
·8· · · · A.· ·It was raising a child and wanting to be more
·9· ·a part of his life.
10· · · · Q.· ·And what prompted you to rejoin the Board in
11· ·2018?
12· · · · A.· ·Requests from my neighbors.
13· · · · Q.· ·Let's talk about this lawsuit a little bit.
14· ·What do you know about the ongoing litigation between
15· ·St. Finnbar and the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
16· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
17· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· What's your objection?
18· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.· It's broad.· And
19· · · · · it's vague.
20· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
21· · · · Q.· ·Answer the question.
22· · · · A.· ·I know that we're in depositions now.· And
23· ·it's proceeding based on the lawsuit.
24· · · · Q.· ·Can you, in your own words, articulate what
25· ·you understand the basis of the lawsuit to be?
·1· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· Will you, please?
·3· · · · A.· ·Yes.· My understanding is there is an argument
·4· ·that St. Finnbar is making that would give them some
·5· ·right of access to a parcel -- to the BLM parcel.
·6· · · · Q.· ·And are you familiar with -- talk to me about
·7· ·the ground in dispute that the Ranch believes St.
·8· ·Finnbar does not have the right to access to get to the
·9· ·BLM parcel.
10· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
11· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· What's your objection?
12· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· It's broad and vague.· You can
13· · · · · still answer the question.· But I'm going to make
14· · · · · the record of my objection.
15· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Please restate.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Can you please read back my
17· · · · · question?
18· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Of course.
19· · · · · · · (REPORTER PLAYS BACK REQUESTED QUESTION)
20· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Are you referring to parcel A?
21· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
22· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
23· · · · A.· ·Okay.· Parcel A was an exclusive easement that
24· ·was given to the Ranch in 1986.
25· · · · Q.· ·Can you just, in your own words, describe
·1· ·where parcel A is located vis-a-vis the Ranch at Roaring
·2· ·Fork, St. Finnbar, and the Roaring Fork River?
·3· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Will you, please?
·5· · · · A.· ·Yes.· It is on the southeast side of the Ranch
·6· ·at Roaring Fork, the southwest side of St. Finnbar, and
·7· ·just to the north of the Roaring Fork River.
·8· · · · Q.· ·How familiar are you, personally, with that
·9· ·piece of land?
10· · · · A.· ·Pretty familiar.
11· · · · Q.· ·What significant landmarks currently exist on
12· ·parcel A?
13· · · · A.· ·The Patterson Ditch, the head gate -- the
14· ·primary head gate for the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
15· · · · Q.· ·What other structures are located on parcel A
16· ·at present?
17· · · · A.· ·There is the measuring flume that -- there is
18· ·a -- a no trespassing sign.· There is a boundary fence.
19· ·That's all I can think of.
20· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.· What was our last
21· · · · · exhibit number?
22· · · · · MR. SIMON:· 46, I believe.
23· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yeah.· I think we left off at
24· · · · · 46.· So can we call this one, 47?
25· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Yep.· Marking Exhibit 47.
·1· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 47 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·2· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·3· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I just handed you a copy of what
·4· ·has been marked Exhibit 47.· Do you recognize this?
·5· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·6· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
·7· · · · A.· ·It is a Fishing Map of the Ranch at Roaring
·8· ·Fork.
·9· · · · Q.· ·Who was responsible for the preparation of
10· ·this document?
11· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
12· · · · Q.· ·Where is this document published?
13· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
14· · · · Q.· ·When I asked if you recognized this and you
15· ·said, yes, what did you mean by, yes?
16· · · · A.· ·I -- I recognize it as the Ranch at Roaring
17· ·Fork.
18· · · · Q.· ·Have you seen this document before?
19· · · · A.· ·Yes.
20· · · · Q.· ·Where?
21· · · · A.· ·At -- at the Ranch of Roaring Fork Office.
22· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 48.
23· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 48 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
24· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
25· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've just handed you what has been
·1· ·marked Exhibit 48.· I'm going to direct your attention
·2· ·to the bottom left-hand corner of this document.· Do you
·3· ·see the URL down there?
·4· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Do you recognize that URL?
·6· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·7· · · · Q.· ·And what is it?
·8· · · · A.· ·Do you want me to read it?
·9· · · · Q.· ·No.· I'm asking why and how you recognize it.
10· · · · A.· ·As -- I recognize it as part of the Ranch at
11· ·Roaring Fork website.
12· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· I'm going to represent to you that this
13· ·Fishing Map is published on the Ranch at Roaring Fork
14· ·website.· Does that sound inaccurate to you?
15· · · · A.· ·No.
16· · · · Q.· ·Who's in charge of administering the Ranch at
17· ·Roaring Fork website?
18· · · · A.· ·The ranch manager.
19· · · · Q.· ·Who does the ranch manager report to?
20· · · · A.· ·The ranch manager reports to the Board of
21· ·Directors.
22· · · · Q.· ·And you're President of the Board of
23· ·Directors?
24· · · · A.· ·Yes.
25· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Okay.· This has been,
·1· · · · · previously, marked as Exhibit 1.
·2· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Okay.
·3· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· So we're just going to stick
·4· · · · · with that.
·5· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Okay.
·6· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· We're not going to need to
·7· · · · · remark it as a new exhibit.
·8· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Thank you.· Okay.
·9· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
10· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've just handed you a copy of
11· ·what has been previously, marked as Exhibit 1.· Do you
12· ·recognize this document?
13· · · · A.· ·I -- I can read what it is.
14· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
15· · · · A.· ·The St. Finnbar Farm Subdivision Plat.
16· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· Can you identify where parcel A is
17· ·located on this map?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·I thought I was going to get you that time.
20· ·Will you, please?
21· · · · A.· ·It is in the southwest corner of the plat.
22· · · · Q.· ·And I note that on this map, someone in red
23· ·pen has drawn parcel A.· Can you see that?
24· · · · A.· ·Yes.
25· · · · Q.· ·It looks like there's some highlighting along
·1· ·at least most of the boundary.· Do you see that?
·2· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Would you agree that that's an accurate
·4· ·depiction of parcel A at least as it's located on Lot 7
·5· ·of St. Finnbar?
·6· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Looking at this map -- I'm handing you a blue
·8· ·pen.· Can you, on the copy of the map I just gave you,
·9· ·in blue, draw the location on parcel A where the Ranch
10· ·at Roaring Fork has fences, currently, installed?
11· · · · A.· ·Yes.
12· · · · Q.· ·Will you, please?
13· · · · A.· ·It's small.· The detail is small.· So --
14· · · · Q.· ·Now, it looks like you stopped at the northern
15· ·boundary of Lot 7.· Is that the location of all the
16· ·fences that the Ranch has installed on parcel A, or just
17· ·parcel A on Lot 7?
18· · · · A.· ·Again, it's -- it's small detail here.· But
19· ·the fence goes to the river.
20· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And what about moving forward to the
21· ·north?· The yellow highlighted lot there is Lot 7?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·You stopped at the northern boundary of that.
24· ·Does that fence stop right there?· Or does it continue
25· ·up to the boundary of the Ranch at Roaring Fork and the
·1· ·St. Finnbar Farm?
·2· · · · A.· ·It -- it continues to the boundary.· And you
·3· ·wanted me to draw the fence, the extent of the
·4· ·St. Finnbar property, and not just parcel A?
·5· · · · Q.· ·Yeah.· I asked you to draw the fence where it
·6· ·exists on parcel A.· I believe parcel A covers both Lots
·7· ·6 and 7 on St. Finnbar.· I think there's a corner of it
·8· ·on the north end of parcel A that you missed.
·9· · · · A.· ·The fence extends this direction.
10· · · · Q.· ·By this direction, can you draw a line and
11· ·then indicate this direction with arrows?· Thank you.
12· ·How long has the fence been in place in that exact --
13· ·the full extent of that location that you've indicated
14· ·on that map?
15· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· What's the objection?
17· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Doesn't define what fence you're
18· · · · · talking about.
19· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
20· · · · Q.· ·Please answer the question.
21· · · · A.· ·What fence are you talking about?
22· · · · Q.· ·The fence currently in place in the location
23· ·that you just indicated, how long has it been there?
24· · · · A.· ·Since 1989 for the majority of the fence.
25· · · · Q.· ·I'm handing you a black marker now.· Will you,
·1· ·with the black marker, indicate the location of fence
·2· ·that has been in place since 1989?· And it appears to me
·3· ·that you just drew the exact same scope of fence as you
·4· ·had, previously, indicated in blue; is that accurate?
·5· · · · A.· ·No.· The detail was small.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Well, help me understand what scope of fence
·7· ·was present in 1989 that's different from the scope of
·8· ·fence that you indicated in blue as being present today?
·9· · · · A.· ·The scope of fence and the actual fence is a
10· ·detail that I'm trying to depict with a Sharpie.
11· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Well, how about let's use our words.
12· ·What's the difference between the fence that was in
13· ·place in 1989 and the fence that's in place today?
14· · · · A.· ·Part of it was replaced.
15· · · · Q.· ·What part?
16· · · · A.· ·The -- it would be the most southern extent of
17· ·the fence.
18· · · · Q.· ·Can you please draw a circle around the
19· ·portion of the fence that you're testifying was
20· ·replaced?
21· · · · A.· ·Approximately.
22· · · · Q.· ·When was that portion of fence replaced?
23· · · · A.· ·In 2019.
24· · · · Q.· ·And so, is it your testimony that,
25· ·continuously from 1989 to 2019, there was a fence in
·1· ·place in that location?· And in 2019, it was just
·2· ·replaced?
·3· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·4· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Let's mark that Exhibit 49,
·5· · · · · please.
·6· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 49.
·7· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 49 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·8· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· And I'll state, for the record,
·9· · · · · that the blue marker is, essentially, covered by
10· · · · · the black Sharpie.
11· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 50.
12· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 50 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
13· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
14· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've handed you a copy of what has
15· ·been marked Exhibit 50.· Do you recognize this document?
16· · · · A.· ·Yes.
17· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
18· · · · A.· ·It is the Defendant's Answer in Affirmative
19· ·Defenses and Counterclaims.
20· · · · Q.· ·And who is the Defendant?
21· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork Homeowners
22· ·Association, Inc.
23· · · · Q.· ·And that's who you're here testifying on
24· ·behalf of, correct?
25· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·1· · · · Q.· ·How was this document prepared?
·2· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'm going to object to the extent
·3· · · · · that the answer to that question constitutes
·4· · · · · attorney-client communication.· He can answer to
·5· · · · · the best of his knowledge.· But the preparation
·6· · · · · of this document as Counsel -- as he knows, was
·7· · · · · performed by Counsel.
·8· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·9· · · · Q.· ·Without divulging the contents of any
10· ·communications between the Ranch at Roaring Fork and its
11· ·attorneys, how is this document prepared?
12· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
13· · · · Q.· ·Take a look at the last page of this document.
14· ·Up above the Certificate of Service, do you see a
15· ·signature line with the signature on it?
16· · · · A.· ·Yes.
17· · · · Q.· ·Do you recognize that name?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·That's your attorney, correct?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·Flip back to page 10 of 14.· I'm going to draw
22· ·your attention to paragraph 19.· Paragraph 19 says,
23· ·"Figure B is a picture of the fence along with the
24· ·parcel A/Lot 7 border as it was configured in 2016."
25· ·Did I read that accurately?
·1· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·2· · · · Q.· ·And then there's a photograph below.· Do you
·3· ·recognize that photograph?
·4· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Who took that photograph?
·6· · · · A.· ·I don't know
·7· · · · Q.· ·When I asked you if you recognized that
·8· ·photograph and you said, yes, what did you mean?
·9· · · · A.· ·That I -- I recognized the tools and the
10· ·fence.
11· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What are those tools?
12· · · · A.· ·Was it what or where?
13· · · · Q.· ·I said, what are those tools?
14· · · · A.· ·Those tools are used to remove debris out of
15· ·the head gate at the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· And where is that fence
17· · · · · located?· Sorry.· Can we hand him back
18· · · · · Exhibit 49, please?
19· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
20· · · · Q.· ·I am going to hand you back my blue pen.· With
21· ·that blue pen, can you indicate where the photographed
22· ·portion of fence is located by circling it?
23· · · · A.· ·Uh-huh.
24· · · · Q.· ·Or actually, for ease of distinction, please
25· ·draw a square around the location where that
·1· ·photographed section of fence is located.
·2· · · · A.· ·Can I get clarification on what I'm -- just
·3· ·because the detail is so small here, is -- is this the
·4· ·continuation of the river?
·5· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
·6· · · · A.· ·Okay.· And is this the Patterson Ditch as it
·7· ·comes into the Ranch at Roaring Fork?· I -- I just -- it
·8· ·-- it's small.· And I want to be clear.
·9· · · · Q.· ·So -- and using this smaller ballpoint pen --
10· · · · A.· ·Uh-huh.
11· · · · Q.· ·This is the river.· And this is part of the
12· ·Patterson Ditch as it comes into the Ranch at Roaring
13· ·Fork.
14· · · · A.· ·Okay.
15· · · · Q.· ·This was -- this plat was done in 2001.· And
16· ·so, it is not necessarily a perfect depiction of the
17· ·current course of the river.· But in general, the river
18· ·is this line here.
19· · · · A.· ·So that -- those tools are adjacent to the
20· ·head gate of the Patterson Ditch coming off the Roaring
21· ·Fork River.· So I'm trying to place a square there based
22· ·on the smallness of this map and how tight these lines
23· ·are here.
24· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So draw a square in the location where
25· ·you believe that map indicates the -- I believe your
·1· ·testimony is the junction of the Patterson Ditch and the
·2· ·Roaring Fork River?
·3· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· And it's your testimony that that
·5· ·is the location that this photographed fence existed in
·6· ·2016?
·7· · · · A.· ·State the question one more time, please.
·8· · · · Q.· ·It's your testimony that that location you
·9· ·just indicated with the square at the confluence of the
10· ·Patterson ditch and the Roaring Fork River is the
11· ·location that that photographed fence in paragraph 19 of
12· ·your Counterclaims as it existed in 2016?
13· · · · A.· ·Yes.
14· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What do you know about St. Finnbar's
15· ·history of development?
16· · · · A.· ·I know there weren't many homes there when I
17· ·moved to the Ranch at Roaring Fork.· And now, there's
18· ·more.
19· · · · Q.· ·Do you know how many Lots are on St. Finnbar?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·How many?
22· · · · A.· ·Thirteen.
23· · · · Q.· ·What do you know about when St. Finnbar was
24· ·subdivided?
25· · · · A.· ·Not much.
·1· · · · Q.· ·What do you know about the Ranch at Roaring
·2· ·Fork's participation in the -- or objection to the
·3· ·process of St. Finnbar's subdivision?
·4· · · · A.· ·I don't.
·5· · · · Q.· ·You don't know anything about that?
·6· · · · A.· ·Uh-uh.
·7· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Is that a no?
·8· · · · · THE WITNESS:· No.· Sorry.
·9· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
10· · · · Q.· ·What did you do to prepare for the deposition
11· ·today without divulging the content of any conversations
12· ·between you and your attorneys?
13· · · · A.· ·I read legal documents.· I read depositions. I
14· ·interviewed residences -- residents of the Ranch at
15· ·Roaring Fork.· I interviewed a contractor for the Ranch
16· ·at Roaring Fork.· I talked to the ranch manager. I
17· ·walked the site.· I talked to a Ranch employee.· That's
18· ·about it.
19· · · · Q.· ·When you say you reviewed legal documents,
20· ·what legal documents did you review?
21· · · · A.· ·The documents that were provided through the
22· ·attorney for the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
23· · · · Q.· ·What did those documents consist of?
24· · · · A.· ·There were maps.· There were pictures.· There
25· ·were the -- the claims by St. Finnbar in the lawsuit,
·1· ·legal documents surrounding the lawsuit.
·2· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 51.
·3· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 51 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·4· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·5· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I just handed you a copy of what
·6· ·has been marked Exhibit 51.· Do you recognize this
·7· ·document?
·8· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·9· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
10· · · · A.· ·It is the Amended Notice of Deposition.
11· · · · Q.· ·For who?
12· · · · A.· ·For the Ranch at Roaring Fork Homeowners
13· ·Association, Inc.
14· · · · Q.· ·Is this one of the documents that you reviewed
15· ·in preparing for today's deposition?
16· · · · A.· ·Yes.
17· · · · Q.· ·You're here as a representative -- as the
18· ·designated representative of the Ranch at Roaring Fork,
19· ·correct?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·You understand that in that role, you had a
22· ·duty to familiarize yourself with everything within the
23· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork's knowledge, even if it's outside
24· ·of your personal knowledge, that's within the scope of
25· ·the topics that are identified in this Notice, correct?
·1· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·2· · · · Q.· ·You mentioned interviewing individuals in
·3· ·connection with your preparation.· Were Julie and
·4· ·Douglas Coffman either of the individuals that you spoke
·5· ·with?
·6· · · · A.· ·No.
·7· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 52.
·8· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 52 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·9· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
10· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I just handed you a copy of what
11· ·has been marked Exhibit 52.· Do you recognize this
12· ·document?
13· · · · A.· ·Yes.
14· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
15· · · · A.· ·It is Defendant's Objections and Responses to
16· ·Plaintiff's First Set of Discovery Requests.
17· · · · Q.· ·And who's the Defendant?
18· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork Homeowners
19· ·Association, Inc.
20· · · · Q.· ·So these are your Responses to Discovery
21· ·Requests that St. Finnbar sent the Ranch?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·And flip to and look at the second to last
24· ·page.· This is a verification page.· It says, "I,
25· ·Brian Pettet, on behalf of Defendant Ranch at Roaring
·1· ·Fork Homeowners Association, Inc., state under oath that
·2· ·I have read these objections and responses to
·3· ·Plaintiff's first set of written discovery requests and
·4· ·verify its contents to the best of my knowledge and
·5· ·belief."· And then there's a signature afterwards.· Is
·6· ·that your signature?
·7· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Did I read that verification accurately?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·So you reviewed these and signed them to
11· ·attest to their accuracy?
12· · · · A.· ·Yes.
13· · · · Q.· ·Did you re-review these in preparing for the
14· ·deposition today?
15· · · · A.· ·Yes.
16· · · · Q.· ·Let's talk a little bit about the background
17· ·of the Ranch at Roaring Fork.· When was that
18· ·organization, originally, created?
19· · · · A.· ·1972-ish.
20· · · · Q.· ·Who created it?
21· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
22· · · · Q.· ·Why was it created?
23· · · · A.· ·It was created as a destination resort.
24· · · · Q.· ·We looked earlier at Exhibits 47 and 48, Maps
25· ·of the Ranch at Roaring Fork.· Are those accurate
·1· ·depictions of the area that Ranch at Roaring Fork
·2· ·comprises?
·3· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·4· · · · Q.· ·How's the Ranch at Roaring Fork's governance
·5· ·structured?
·6· · · · A.· ·Through a Board of Directors that makes
·7· ·decisions on behalf of the residents.
·8· · · · Q.· ·How are the Board of Directors elected?
·9· · · · A.· ·Through a -- a general election conducted with
10· ·the residents of the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
11· · · · Q.· ·How often are those elections conducted?
12· · · · A.· ·Annually, based on need.
13· · · · Q.· ·Has that always been the governance of the
14· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork?
15· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
16· · · · Q.· ·Has that been the governance structure of the
17· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork since at least your tenure there?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·At any time since 1986, have there been
20· ·significant changes in the administrative structure or
21· ·governance of the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
22· · · · A.· ·Administrative structure or governance?
23· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
24· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
25· · · · Q.· ·How far back into the past are you familiar
·1· ·with the governance structure of the Ranch at Roaring
·2· ·Fork?
·3· · · · A.· ·Since 2008.
·4· · · · Q.· ·What's the Ranch at Roaring Fork's current
·5· ·Document Retention Policy?
·6· · · · A.· ·What is it?
·7· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
·8· · · · A.· ·It's a document that outlines what the
·9· ·Association needs to retain for documentation.
10· · · · Q.· ·What's the -- what is the substance of that
11· ·Document Retention Policy?
12· · · · A.· ·The substance, it outlines different various
13· ·documents the Ranch needs to -- to maintain, such as
14· ·minutes, board directives, contracts, architectural
15· ·design, financial documents, and tax documents.
16· · · · Q.· ·How long has the Ranch had that Document
17· ·Retention Policy in place?
18· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
19· · · · Q.· ·Did you produce a copy of the Document
20· ·Retention Policy document in connection with this
21· ·litigation?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·When was that Document Retention Policy
24· ·adopted?
25· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Is that your phone buzzing?
·2· · · · A.· ·I don't think so.· No.· Yes.· It was.· Thank
·3· ·you.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Where is the Ranch at Roaring Fork's
·5· ·storage records?
·6· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork stores its records
·7· ·electronically and at the office.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Where's the office?
·9· · · · A.· ·It's at the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
10· · · · Q.· ·What records are stored at the office in a
11· ·non-electronic form?
12· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
13· · · · Q.· ·Who's in charge of administering the Ranch at
14· ·Roaring Fork's document retention?
15· · · · A.· ·Currently?
16· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
17· · · · A.· ·Gray Bower and Melinda Bower.
18· · · · Q.· ·What are Gray and Melinda Bower's
19· ·relationships to the Board of Directors of the Ranch at
20· ·Roaring Fork?
21· · · · A.· ·Contractual.
22· · · · Q.· ·So the Ranch has a contract with the Bowers to
23· ·store its documents?
24· · · · A.· ·Yes.
25· · · · Q.· ·How long has that contract been in place?
·1· · · · A.· ·The existing contract?
·2· · · · Q.· ·Sure.
·3· · · · A.· ·I think we signed a new contract six months
·4· ·ago.
·5· · · · Q.· ·How long have the Bowers been contracted to do
·6· ·document storage for the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
·7· · · · A.· ·And I -- just for clarity, it's with their
·8· ·company.· They just are the two people that are part of
·9· ·their company.· So -- just for clarity.· This would --
10· ·they -- since 2020.
11· · · · Q.· ·Prior to that, how was the Ranch at Roaring
12· ·Fork's document storage administered?
13· · · · A.· ·Through the ranch manager.
14· · · · Q.· ·What is the Bowers' company?
15· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
16· · · · Q.· ·So are the Bowers storing documents somewhere
17· ·other than the Ranch at Roaring Fork's office?
18· · · · A.· ·No.
19· · · · Q.· ·So the Ranch at Roaring Forks contracts with a
20· ·third-party company to store its records in its own
21· ·office?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·What's the purpose of that?
24· · · · A.· ·To store the documents to meet the guidelines
25· ·of our retention policies.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Are the Bowers and their company also
·2· ·administering electronic storage for the Ranch?
·3· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·4· · · · Q.· ·How does that work?
·5· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·6· · · · Q.· ·How are the Ranch at Roaring Fork's records
·7· ·storage practices different now from what they were in
·8· ·the past?
·9· · · · A.· ·There's more electronic storage.
10· · · · Q.· ·When the ranch manager was storing the Ranch
11· ·at Roaring Fork's records, what was the ranch manager
12· ·doing?
13· · · · A.· ·Can you say that again, please?
14· · · · Q.· ·When the ranch manager was storing the Ranch
15· ·at Roaring Fork's records, which I understand your
16· ·testimony was you believed was the case at all times
17· ·prior to the Bowers' company taking over in 2020, what
18· ·were the document storage practices?
19· · · · A.· ·Hard copies boxed and stored at the office.
20· · · · Q.· ·And the only difference between then and now
21· ·is that there are more electronic copies?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·What are the Ranch at Roaring Fork's practices
24· ·with respect to the systematic culling of documents?
25· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Does the Ranch at Roaring Fork have any
·2· ·systematic practices with respect to culling documents?
·3· · · · A.· ·Not that I know of.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Has the Ranch at Roaring Fork's record
·5· ·retention and inspection policy ever changed
·6· ·substantially?
·7· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·8· · · · Q.· ·How far back do the Ranch at Roaring Fork's
·9· ·hard copy and electronic records go?
10· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
11· · · · Q.· ·What do the Ranch at Roaring Fork documentary
12· ·records, stored in the office and electronically,
13· ·consist of, broadly, by category?
14· · · · A.· ·Everything I mentioned, minutes, board
15· ·directives, architectural design, election results, tax
16· ·and financial -- financial documents.
17· · · · Q.· ·Does the Ranch retain copies of invoices and
18· ·contracts with contractors that it has hired to do work
19· ·on the property?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·And are records of invoices and contracts with
22· ·all contractors that the Ranch hires to conduct work on
23· ·this property records that the Ranch, systematically,
24· ·retains as part of its retention policy?
25· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·1· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, what did
·2· ·you do to familiarize yourself with the Ranch at Roaring
·3· ·Fork's historical documents?
·4· · · · A.· ·We reviewed the documents in the office and
·5· ·made sure I understood the -- the content.
·6· · · · Q.· ·You reviewed all the documents in the office?
·7· · · · A.· ·No.
·8· · · · Q.· ·You reviewed all the documents in the
·9· ·electronic file?
10· · · · A.· ·No.
11· · · · Q.· ·How far back did you review minutes from board
12· ·meetings for the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
13· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
14· · · · Q.· ·How far back did you review contracts for
15· ·people who've conducted work on the Ranch at Roaring
16· ·Fork?
17· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
18· · · · Q.· ·What did you do to search for, identify, and
19· ·familiarize yourself with contracts with fencing
20· ·contractors that the Ranch at Roaring Fork entered at
21· ·any time from 1986 through the present?
22· · · · A.· ·I reviewed the invoice that was submitted for
23· ·the 2019 construction.
24· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And the Ranch at Roaring Fork hasn't
25· ·identified or produced any other records of any other
·1· ·fence contract work that has happened prior to 2019?
·2· · · · A.· ·No.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Since you've started serving on the Board at
·4· ·the Ranch at Roaring Fork, what are the names of other
·5· ·individuals who've been on the Board?
·6· · · · A.· ·Mike Gerber.· So to clarify, are you asking
·7· ·members that have been on the Board while I was on the
·8· ·Board, or since I was on the Board?
·9· · · · Q.· ·I'd like you to identify everyone you can
10· ·think of who has served on the Board since your tenure
11· ·started -- originally in 2008, I believe your testimony
12· ·was.
13· · · · A.· ·Okay.· The response won't be complete.
14· · · · Q.· ·Do your best.
15· · · · A.· ·Stewart Mcconaughy, Mike Gerber, Bill Neveu,
16· ·Chip Gerber.
17· · · · Q.· ·How many members are currently on the Board?
18· · · · A.· ·Seven.· I can keep --
19· · · · Q.· ·Have there always been seven members on the
20· ·Board?· Or does that number fluctuate over time?
21· · · · A.· ·It fluctuates.
22· · · · Q.· ·What are the factors that influence its
23· ·change?
24· · · · A.· ·Resignation.
25· · · · Q.· ·So if a board member resigns, that seat will
·1· ·be vacant until another board member is elected to fill
·2· ·it?
·3· · · · A.· ·No.
·4· · · · Q.· ·How does that work?
·5· · · · A.· ·The position could be appointed, temporarily.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Sure.· So if a person resigns, that seat is
·7· ·vacant until someone is either appointed or elected to
·8· ·fill it?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Have there ever been more than
11· ·seven directors?
12· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
13· · · · Q.· ·Have there been less than seven director
14· ·seats?
15· · · · A.· ·No.
16· · · · Q.· ·How often does the Board meet?
17· · · · A.· ·Once a month.
18· · · · Q.· ·What does the Board do?
19· · · · A.· ·We make decisions based on the needs of the
20· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork.
21· · · · Q.· ·How does the Board make decisions?
22· · · · A.· ·Through a majority vote.
23· · · · Q.· ·How are the Board's decisions recorded?
24· · · · A.· ·Through the minutes of meetings.
25· · · · Q.· ·How are the minutes of meetings recorded?
·1· · · · A.· ·They are recorded electronically and scribed
·2· ·through the secretary of the Board.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Who's entitled to participate in Board
·4· ·meetings?
·5· · · · A.· ·Regular board meetings?
·6· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
·7· · · · A.· ·Anyone within the Ranch of Roaring Fork
·8· ·Organization.
·9· · · · Q.· ·So any homeowner within the Ranch of Roaring
10· ·Fork is entitled to participate in the Board meetings?
11· · · · A.· ·Correct.
12· · · · Q.· ·The process you've described of making
13· ·decisions by majority vote, recording those decisions in
14· ·minutes that are taken by the secretary, and then
15· ·retained as records of the Ranch, how long has that been
16· ·a practice of the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
17· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
18· · · · Q.· ·Is there any time during the Ranch at Roaring
19· ·Fork's governance where that has not been the practice?
20· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
21· · · · Q.· ·What do the Ranch at Roaring Fork's governing
22· ·documents consist of?
23· · · · A.· ·There are Bylaws, Declarations, and --
24· · · · Q.· ·Articles of Incorporation?
25· · · · A.· ·-- Articles of Incorporation.· Thank you.
·1· · · · Q.· ·When were the Bylaws adopted?
·2· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·3· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· This is another one that was
·4· · · · · previously marked.· So we're just going to stick
·5· · · · · with that numbering.
·6· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'm going to object to the extent
·7· · · · · that Exhibit 2 -- it's actually not a correct
·8· · · · · copy of the original Exhibit 2.· It looks like
·9· · · · · there's some red lettering on top of the Easement
10· · · · · Agreement.
11· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· I agree.· Let's take a break.
12· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are off the record.· The time
13· · · · · is 10:06 a.m.· Mountain Time.
14· · · · · · · (OFF THE RECORD)
15· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are back on the record.· The
16· · · · · time is 10:18 a.m.· Mountain Time.· You may
17· · · · · begin.
18· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
19· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, at this time, I've handed you an
20· ·accurate copy of what has, previously, been identified
21· ·as Exhibit 2.· Do you recognize this document?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·What is it?
24· · · · A.· ·It's the Agreement Easement Grant and Mutual
25· ·Release.
·1· · · · Q.· ·It is the Agreement Easement Grant and Mutual
·2· ·Release from when?
·3· · · · A.· ·October 22, 1986.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Between who?
·5· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork Homeowners
·6· ·Association, Inc., and Gertrude Pete (phonetic).
·7· · · · Q.· ·Would you, in your own words, please describe
·8· ·the importance of this document vis-a-vis the lawsuit
·9· ·that we're currently litigating?
10· · · · A.· ·The importance of this document is it provides
11· ·an exclusive easement to the Ranch at Roaring Fork over
12· ·parcel A.
13· · · · Q.· ·Is the Ranch at Roaring Fork that signed this
14· ·document the same entity on whose behalf you're
15· ·testifying in today's deposition?
16· · · · A.· ·Can you restate again?· I'm sorry.
17· · · · Q.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork that's a party to
18· ·this Agreement is the same Ranch at Roaring Fork that
19· ·still exists today?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·Other than creating the easement over, what
22· ·we've been calling, parcel A, what else does this
23· ·document do?
24· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection to the extent it calls
25· · · · · for legal conclusion.· You can go ahead and
·1· · · · · answer.
·2· · · · · THE WITNESS:· It provides an easement of parcel B
·3· · · · · to St. Finnbar, it describes the maintenance of a
·4· · · · · fence, and other legal matters.
·5· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·6· · · · Q.· ·What was the purpose of the Ranch at Roaring
·7· ·Fork seeking an easement over parcel A?
·8· · · · A.· ·To delineate between St. Finnbar and the Ranch
·9· ·at Roaring Fork and erect a fence to manage cows.
10· · · · Q.· ·So the whole purpose of that Easement was to
11· ·establish a boundary and put up a fence?
12· · · · A.· ·No.
13· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· What's the purpose of the Easement?
14· · · · A.· ·And it also provided the Ranch at Roaring Fork
15· ·access and -- to parcel A for the maintenance and
16· ·administration of the water intake for the Ranch at
17· ·Roaring Fork, the Patterson Ditch, including a head
18· ·gate.
19· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· Who negotiated this Easement on
20· ·behalf of the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
21· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
22· · · · Q.· ·When did the Ranch at Roaring Fork begin the
23· ·negotiations that matured into this Agreement?
24· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
25· · · · Q.· ·With whom was the Ranch at Roaring Fork
·1· ·negotiating at the time of this Agreement?
·2· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·3· · · · Q.· ·When was this Agreement signed?
·4· · · · A.· ·July 22, 1986, it appears.
·5· · · · Q.· ·And what -- I'm going to draw your attention
·6· ·to paragraph 3 of this document on page 2.· What does
·7· ·that paragraph say about the Ranch at Roaring Fork's
·8· ·rights and obligations surrounding fence building?
·9· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection to the extent the
10· · · · · document speaks for itself.
11· · · · · But go ahead and answer.
12· · · · · THE WITNESS:· It says, "The Ranch shall erect and
13· · · · · construct a fence at its own expense in the
14· · · · · eastern line parcel A to the point it meets the
15· · · · · northern edge of the Roaring Fork River.· The
16· · · · · standard commercial 9 gauge cyclone wire mesh
17· · · · · fence, 6 feet tall, and topped with three strands
18· · · · · of barbed wire."
19· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
20· · · · Q.· ·And when did it say that fence was to be
21· ·erected and constructed?
22· · · · A.· ·On or before October 1, 1986.
23· · · · Q.· ·Who submitted this document for recording?
24· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork.
25· · · · Q.· ·I'll draw your attention now back to paragraph
·1· ·2 of this document on page 2, the last part of the last
·2· ·sentence of that paragraph.· What does it say about the
·3· ·construction of buildings or other improvements within
·4· ·parcel A other than the fence that we just discussed and
·5· ·the head gate?
·6· · · · A.· ·That it shall be prohibited without -- without
·7· ·written consent of St. Finnbar.
·8· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Now, your testimony earlier was
·9· · · · · that the fence and the location that you
10· · · · · indicated on Exhibit --· Sorry.· Remind me, was
11· · · · · it Exhibit 50?
12· · · · · THE REPORTER:· 49
13· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· -- 49 occurred in 1989?
14· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Let's go off the record for a
15· · · · · second.
16· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We're off the record.· The time is
17· · · · · 10:27 a.m.· Mountain Time.
18· · · · · · · (OFF THE RECORD)
19· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are back on the record.· The
20· · · · · time is 10:30 a.m.· Mountain Time.· You may
21· · · · · begin.
22· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Can you please read the last
23· · · · · question that I asked?
24· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Of course.
25· · · · · · · (REPORTER PLAYS BACK REQUESTED QUESTION)
·1· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I believe I testified to the -- to
·2· · · · · that the fence was in place in 1989.
·3· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·4· · · · Q.· ·So your testimony is not that it was placed
·5· ·there in 1989?
·6· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·7· · · · Q.· ·What's your basis for knowing it was there in
·8· ·1989?
·9· · · · A.· ·Interviews with residents at the Ranch at
10· ·Roaring Fork.
11· · · · Q.· ·And so, residents at the Ranch at Roaring Fork
12· ·have told you that they observed the fence in that
13· ·location in 1989?
14· · · · A.· ·Yes.
15· · · · Q.· ·Who were those residents?
16· · · · A.· ·Mike Fordyce, specifically.
17· · · · Q.· ·How do you spell Fordyce?
18· · · · A.· ·F-O-R-D-Y-C-E.
19· · · · Q.· ·And was Mr. Fordyce someone identified in any
20· ·of the Ranch at Roaring Fork's disclosures as a person
21· ·with knowledge relating to this matter?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Who else?
24· · · · A.· ·And not a resident, but Bob O'Brien, if --
25· ·correction.· He's a -- a contractor for the Ranch.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Bob O'Brien is a contractor for the Ranch.
·2· ·And he told you that a fence was in place in that
·3· ·location in 1989?
·4· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·5· · · · Q.· ·What evidence do you have that a fence was
·6· ·built in that location in 1986?
·7· · · · A.· ·I don't have any.
·8· · · · Q.· ·What kind of fence was in place in that
·9· ·location in 1989?
10· · · · A.· ·The fence that is described in the Easement
11· ·Agreement.
12· · · · Q.· ·And what's your basis for knowing that?
13· · · · A.· ·The two people I spoke with.
14· · · · Q.· ·What document does the Ranch at Roaring Fork
15· ·have that document the construction or placement of a
16· ·fence in that location in 1989?
17· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
18· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· What's the objection?
19· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· It was a compound.
20· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
21· · · · Q.· ·Please answer the question.
22· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
23· · · · Q.· ·What documents does the Ranch at Roaring Fork
24· ·have that show the existence of a fence in that location
25· ·on or before October 1, 1986?
·1· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Who was the Ranch at Roaring Fork's ranch
·3· ·manager in 1986?
·4· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Who was the Ranch at Roaring Fork's ranch
·6· ·manager in 1989?
·7· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·8· · · · Q.· ·What was Bob O'Brien's role with the Ranch in
·9· ·1989?
10· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
11· · · · Q.· ·What was Mike Fordyce's role with the Ranch in
12· ·1989?
13· · · · A.· ·He was a prospective home buyer.
14· · · · Q.· ·Is Mr. Fordyce still a homeowner at the Ranch?
15· · · · A.· ·Yes.
16· · · · Q.· ·And when did he purchase a home at the Ranch?
17· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
18· · · · Q.· ·Does he reside in the same home that he
19· ·originally purchased?· Or has he moved around within the
20· ·Ranch?
21· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
22· · · · Q.· ·What did Mr. Fordyce tell you about the fence?
23· · · · A.· ·He told me that it was there in its current
24· ·configuration in its current location.
25· · · · Q.· ·What did he tell you about why he remembers
·1· ·that?
·2· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to foundation.
·3· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Because he was walking the extent
·4· · · · · of the property.· And when he ran into the fence,
·5· · · · · he -- not literally, but figuratively, knew that
·6· · · · · was the -- the eastern boundary of the property.
·7· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·8· · · · Q.· ·What did Mr. O'Brien tell you about the fence?
·9· · · · A.· ·That it was there in its current
10· ·configuration.
11· · · · Q.· ·What did Mr. O'Brien tell you about why he
12· ·remembered that?
13· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to foundation.
14· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I don't think he told me.
15· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
16· · · · Q.· ·Is Mr. O'Brien currently a contractor for the
17· ·Ranch?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·What is he contracted to do?
20· · · · A.· ·Consult on our waterways.
21· · · · Q.· ·Is he part of a larger company?
22· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
23· · · · Q.· ·So the Ranch's contract is directly with
24· ·Mr. O'Brien, not with an entity that he's an agent of?
25· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·1· · · · Q.· ·How long has the Ranch contracted with him
·2· ·since?
·3· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Has he continuously been contracting with the
·5· ·Ranch since your tenure there started?
·6· · · · A.· ·No.
·7· · · · Q.· ·When did he most recently begin contracting to
·8· ·work with the Ranch?
·9· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
10· · · · Q.· ·Who was The Ranch at Roaring Fork's ranch
11· ·manager in 1989?
12· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
13· · · · Q.· ·Who's the current ranch manager for The Ranch
14· ·at Roaring Fork?
15· · · · A.· ·Gray Bower.
16· · · · Q.· ·How long has Mr. Bower been the ranch manager?
17· · · · A.· ·Since 2020.
18· · · · Q.· ·Who was the ranch manager before that?
19· · · · A.· ·I'm not recalling his name.· He had a short
20· ·tenure.
21· · · · Q.· ·Who was the ranch manager before that?
22· · · · A.· ·Gordy Sichel.· Actually, no.· There was a
23· ·ranch manager that worked for a short period of time
24· ·that died.· And -- and then -- but before that, it was
25· ·Gordy Sichel for a period of time.
·1· · · · Q.· ·How do you spell Bower?
·2· · · · A.· ·B-O-W-E-R.
·3· · · · Q.· ·How do you spell Sichel?
·4· · · · A.· ·I'm not sure.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Was Gordy contracted individually?· Or was he
·6· ·an agent of an entity?
·7· · · · A.· ·He was an employee.
·8· · · · Q.· ·He was an employee of Ranch at Roaring Fork?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·What was the tenure of his employment?
11· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
12· · · · Q.· ·When did Gordy Sichel start as ranch manager?
13· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
14· · · · Q.· ·Who was the ranch manager before Gordy Sichel?
15· · · · A.· ·I just know him as Doc.· I don't know his full
16· ·name.
17· · · · Q.· ·When was that person the ranch manager?
18· · · · A.· ·I don't know the tenure.
19· · · · Q.· ·Other than Gordy Sichel, can you identify any
20· ·individual who was a ranch manager between 1986 and 2019
21· ·for The Ranch at Roaring Fork?
22· · · · A.· ·Mike Bell.
23· · · · Q.· ·I got you with that one.· You didn't say yes
24· ·and make me ask you if you will.· When was Mike Bell the
25· ·ranch manager?
·1· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Who was in charge of maintaining the fence on
·3· ·the boundary of parcel A between 1989 and the present?
·4· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Who at The Ranch at Roaring Fork was
·6· ·responsible for the fence maintenance?
·7· · · · A.· ·The manager.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Was anyone other than the manager ever
·9· ·responsible for fence maintenance?
10· · · · A.· ·The foreman completed the work.
11· · · · Q.· ·Is the foreman -- has the foreman also always
12· ·been an employee of The Ranch at Roaring Fork?
13· · · · A.· ·The question is, has the foreman always been
14· ·an employee of The Ranch at Roaring Fork?
15· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
16· · · · A.· ·No.
17· · · · Q.· ·So what's the foreman's relationship to The
18· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork?
19· · · · A.· ·To complete maintenance and construction tasks
20· ·for the manager.
21· · · · Q.· ·Who is the current foreman?
22· · · · A.· ·Gustavo Amador.
23· · · · Q.· ·Is Gustavo Amador an employee of The Ranch at
24· ·Roaring Fork?
25· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Has there ever been a foreman who was not an
·2· ·employee of The Ranch at Roaring Fork?
·3· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·4· · · · Q.· ·So when I asked you if the foreman has always
·5· ·been an employee of The Ranch at Roaring Fork and you
·6· ·said, no, you were saying that Gustavo, specifically,
·7· ·has not always been a Ranch at Roaring Fork employee?
·8· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·9· · · · Q.· ·That's cute.· Thank you.· It looks like you
10· ·want to clarify something.
11· · · · A.· ·To -- to clarify, I did mean Gustavo.· But
12· ·also, I don't know, prior to my tenure there, what the
13· ·relationship of The Ranch at Roaring Fork was with a
14· ·foreman.· I don't know that it was a continuous -- I --
15· ·I didn't understand the question, frankly.
16· · · · Q.· ·How is fence repair work, as overseen by the
17· ·manager of the Ranch, whether conducted by the foreman
18· ·or some other contractor, documented?
19· · · · A.· ·If it is documented, it's through a manager's
20· ·report to the Board.· It may not be documented because
21· ·it's done as a matter of course of their work that they
22· ·complete on a daily basis.· And they don't, necessarily,
23· ·report out to the Board with every detail that they
24· ·complete.
25· · · · Q.· ·What maintenance work on the fence at the
·1· ·location that you described earlier on Exhibit 49 does
·2· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork have documentation of between
·3· ·1986 and 2019?
·4· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·5· · · · Q.· ·What repair work on the fence at the location
·6· ·you identified earlier on Exhibit 49 does The Ranch at
·7· ·Roaring Fork have documentation of between 1986 and
·8· ·2019?
·9· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
10· · · · Q.· ·What construction work on the fence at the
11· ·location you identified earlier in Exhibit 49 does The
12· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork have documentation of between 1986
13· ·and 2019?
14· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
15· · · · Q.· ·It looks like you want to clarify something.
16· · · · A.· ·I do.· I just want to clarify, in 2019,
17· ·section of the fence -- there was a section of defense
18· ·constructed that we have an invoice with regard to.· So
19· ·I -- it was in 2019.· I'm just trying to make sure I'm
20· ·accurate with the question you stated.
21· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.
22· · · · A.· ·Okay.
23· · · · Q.· ·You said the section of fence was constructed
24· ·in 2019?
25· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Does that mean that prior to it being
·2· ·constructed, it didn't exist in that location --
·3· · · · A.· ·No.
·4· · · · Q.· ·-- in 2019?
·5· · · · A.· ·Sorry.
·6· · · · Q.· ·It's okay.
·7· · · · A.· ·No.
·8· · · · Q.· ·So in 2019, prior to that section of fence
·9· ·being constructed, there was an existing fence in that
10· ·same location?
11· · · · A.· ·Correct.
12· · · · Q.· ·So the section of fence that was constructed
13· ·in 2019, simply, replaced another section of fence that
14· ·was in that exact same location immediately prior to the
15· ·new fence's construction?
16· · · · A.· ·Yes.
17· · · · Q.· ·And that fence has, continuously, been in that
18· ·exact location from at least 1989 through 2019 when that
19· ·new fence was constructed?
20· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
21· · · · Q.· ·But a fence was, continuously, in that
22· ·location from 2016 to 2019 when that new fence was
23· ·constructed?
24· · · · A.· ·There was a fence in that location.
25· · · · Q.· ·So your testimony is in 2019, there was no
·1· ·location the fence was extended over that had not been
·2· ·fenced since at least 2016?
·3· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
·4· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I can tell you that the fence that
·5· · · · · was constructed in 2019 replaced a damaged fence
·6· · · · · in that same location.
·7· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·8· · · · Q.· ·So there was no extent of ground that The
·9· ·Ranch at Roaring Fork newly fenced in 2019?
10· · · · A.· ·There was -- there is an extent of ground that
11· ·was fenced in 2019.
12· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· I understand that.· But that
13· ·wasn't my question.
14· · · · A.· ·Will you restate it then?· I'm trying to --
15· ·I'm trying to answer your question.
16· · · · Q.· ·So there's no extent of ground that was newly
17· ·fenced in 2019 on which a fence did not exist before the
18· ·new fence went up?
19· · · · A.· ·So we've got a double negative there.· There
20· ·is an extent of ground that was fenced in 2019.
21· · · · Q.· ·For the first time?
22· · · · A.· ·For the first time.
23· · · · Q.· ·Where is that?
24· · · · A.· ·Near the river.
25· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 53.
·1· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 53 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·2· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·3· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I have given you a copy of what
·4· ·the court reporter has marked as Exhibit 53.· Do you
·5· ·recognize generally what this depicts?
·6· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·7· · · · Q.· ·What does it depict?
·8· · · · A.· ·The St. Finnbar Farm Subdivision
·9· ·Jurisdictional Delineation Plan.
10· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Do you -- can you identify parcel A on
11· ·this document?
12· · · · A.· ·Generally.
13· · · · Q.· ·I'm handing you a yellow highlighter.· Will
14· ·you please highlight in yellow the boundaries of parcel
15· ·A as depicted on this document?· Are you sure about
16· ·that?
17· · · · A.· ·No.· This is the river.· And I just want to be
18· ·-- this is the head gate.
19· · · · Q.· ·Do you see the dashed line right here?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.· Yeah.· Again, I'm just trying to be
21· ·accurate here.· And the -- the line is delineated on
22· ·this map from 2000.· And sometimes, it's difficult to
23· ·recognize.
24· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, now I'm handing you a black
25· ·marker.· With that black marker, I would like you to
·1· ·indicate the location of the fence that you were just
·2· ·referring to that was built in 2019, the fenced ground
·3· ·that prior had not been fenced.
·4· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'm going to object to the extent
·5· · · · · that this map is dated from 2000.· So the
·6· · · · · depiction of this map may not be what was
·7· · · · · depicted in 2019.· But otherwise, go ahead.
·8· · · · · THE WITNESS:· And you're just looking for the
·9· · · · · area that was not fenced prior to 2019?
10· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
11· · · · Q.· ·That's correct.
12· · · · A.· ·Can you show me, specifically, where the head
13· ·gate of The Ranch at Roaring Fork exists on this map?
14· · · · Q.· ·I don't believe the head gate is specifically
15· ·depicted on that map.· But I do see on that map the
16· ·boundary of parcel A.· And I believe your testimony is
17· ·that the fence that was built in 2019 was on the
18· ·boundary of parcel A.· If you are confused about where
19· ·things hit with respect to the head gate -- and the head
20· ·gate is a big landmark.
21· · · · · · ·It would be helpful for you to testify about
22· ·where things sit in location of the head gate.· And if
23· ·you're not sure about where that's located on the map,
24· ·then you can indicate that in words.· But please draw on
25· ·the map where you believe the fence went in on ground
·1· ·where, prior to 2019, fence had not existed.· I see
·2· ·you've placed a dot on the map.· Is it your intent to
·3· ·indicate that there is a dot sized section of fence that
·4· ·was put in that didn't previously exist?
·5· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
·6· · · · · THE WITNESS:· The scale is -- it's hard to draw a
·7· · · · · line up to the extent that I'm trying to.· But
·8· · · · · it's a short section.
·9· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
10· · · · Q.· ·How long?
11· · · · A.· ·8 to 12 feet.
12· · · · Q.· ·Other than that fence construction in 2019,
13· ·the Ranch doesn't have any records of any fence repair,
14· ·maintenance, or construction work along the boundary of
15· ·parcel A going all the way back to 1986, correct?
16· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
17· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I don't know.
18· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
19· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, did you
20· ·review the Ranch's documents in search of documentation
21· ·to that effect?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·And you didn't find any?
24· · · · A.· ·Correct.
25· · · · Q.· ·Has any such documentation been produced in
·1· ·this litigation?
·2· · · · A.· ·No.
·3· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 54.
·4· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 54 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·5· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·6· · · · Q.· ·Before we move on to Exhibit 54, I just want
·7· ·to clarify that the 10 to 12 feet of fence that you
·8· ·testified to is located in the area where you placed
·9· ·that black dot on this map that's at Exhibit 53?
10· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'll repeat my objection in that
11· · · · · Exhibit 53 is not an accurate depiction of the
12· · · · · property as it existed in 2019 which is what the
13· · · · · question is directed to.
14· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I -- it's confusing because the --
15· · · · · I'm assuming this is the Roaring Fork River.· But
16· · · · · its configuration with land in that area isn't
17· · · · · what I'm familiar with.
18· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
19· · · · Q.· ·So describe where that 10 to 12 feet of new
20· ·fence went vis-a-vis the river.
21· · · · A.· ·It was right at the river at the end of the
22· ·fence that was constructed in 2019.
23· · · · Q.· ·And that section of fence did not exist in
24· ·2016?
25· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·1· · · · Q.· ·And that section of fence did not exist in
·2· ·1989?
·3· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·4· · · · Q.· ·And that section of fence did not exist in
·5· ·1986?
·6· · · · A.· ·I don't know
·7· · · · Q.· ·That section of fence did not exist in 2008?
·8· · · · A.· ·No.· It did not exist.
·9· · · · Q.· ·Still looking at Exhibit 53, I'm going to draw
10· ·your attention to the legend.· Can you see this
11· ·indication of dashes with an X in them?· It's a fence
12· ·line.
13· · · · A.· ·Yes.
14· · · · Q.· ·I'd like to draw your attention back over to
15· ·the boundary of parcel A starting at the northernmost
16· ·corner of parcel A.· Do you see a fence line depicted on
17· ·this map along the boundary?
18· · · · A.· ·Based on the legend, there's one X on this
19· ·line.
20· · · · Q.· ·And by, this line, you're referring to the
21· ·northernmost line of the parcel A eastern boundary?
22· · · · A.· ·Correct.
23· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And then following that line down, do
24· ·you see the location over which it continues to indicate
25· ·fence line?
·1· · · · A.· ·Again, there's only one X that is indicated on
·2· ·that boundary line on the most northerly section.· There
·3· ·is not another matching boundary line that meets the
·4· ·legend's depiction.· There's no access through here.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Further down on parcel 7, there's another
·6· ·fence boundary indicated.· Do you see that?
·7· · · · A.· ·Yes.· With consistent Xs.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Looking up here along the parcel A
·9· ·boundary, do you see where the map fence line
10· ·terminates?
11· · · · A.· ·I see where this line terminates.
12· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Taking my blue pen, will you draw a
13· ·blue line following where you see the fence line
14· ·indicated on this map as shown on the legend, both along
15· ·the boundary of parcel A and then further over to the
16· ·south on parcel -- on Lot 7?
17· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I object to the extent the
18· · · · · question asked for an interpretation of a
19· · · · · subdivision plan.· Otherwise, go ahead and
20· · · · · answer.
21· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Given that interruption, can you
22· · · · · restate the question, please?
23· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:
24· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
25· · · · A.· ·I apologize for not --
·1· · · · Q.· ·Using my blue pen --
·2· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·3· · · · Q.· ·-- will you please draw a line on Exhibit 53
·4· ·where you see the fence line indicated both on the
·5· ·eastern boundary of parcel A and further over on Lot 7
·6· ·down to the south?
·7· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'm going to object to form and
·8· · · · · also to the extent the question is asking
·9· · · · · Mr. Pettet to interpret a subdivision plan.
10· · · · · THE WITNESS:· This is where the fence line is
11· · · · · depicted on the map based on the legend which
12· · · · · does not match what is depicted on the southern
13· · · · · portion which has more consistent demarcation of
14· · · · · the legend.· This obvious fence line based on the
15· · · · · legend does not -- is not represented in this
16· · · · · area.
17· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
18· · · · Q.· ·Do you believe that the fence line indicated
19· ·on the map here is an inaccurate depiction of the fences
20· ·that existed in 1997 when the survey was done?
21· · · · A.· ·Again, from this map, it's difficult to tell.
22· · · · Q.· ·Do you believe the fence line as you've
23· ·indicated it on this map is an inaccurate depiction of
24· ·where the fence was located in 1997 at the time that
25· ·this map was prepared?
·1· · · · · MR. SIMON:· Objection.· Form.
·2· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I think I've done my best to
·3· · · · · delineate the fence based on this map.
·4· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·5· · · · Q.· ·Do you believe the fence as delineated on this
·6· ·map is an inaccurate representation of the location of
·7· ·the fence on the boundary of parcel A in 1997?
·8· · · · A.· ·It is difficult to tell.
·9· · · · Q.· ·So are you saying you have no belief regarding
10· ·the accuracy of the fence line as shown on this map as
11· ·you've shown it on this map?
12· · · · A.· ·Until I understand the configuration of the
13· ·Roaring Fork River in this area, based on my experience
14· ·there, I can't tell.
15· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, if I understand your testimony
16· ·correctly, you've drawn on this map where you understand
17· ·that this map to be depicting a fence line along the
18· ·boundary of parcel A, correct?
19· · · · A.· ·Correct.
20· · · · Q.· ·You're familiar with parcel A, with its
21· ·location, with its layout both from your role as
22· ·President of the Board of The Ranch at Roaring Fork and
23· ·from the work that you had a duty to prepare for this
24· ·lawsuit --
25· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·1· · · · Q.· ·-- to prepare for this deposition, correct?
·2· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·3· · · · Q.· ·You've investigated The Ranch at Roaring
·4· ·Fork's historic records relating to the location of
·5· ·fences on the boundary of parcel A?
·6· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·7· · · · Q.· ·And you have indicated for me on this map
·8· ·where you believe this map depicts a fence on the
·9· ·boundary of parcel A?
10· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
11· · · · · THE WITNESS:· To the best of my ability, based on
12· · · · · what is represented on this map, that is not the
13· · · · · configuration of the river that I'm familiar
14· · · · · with.
15· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
16· · · · Q.· ·I'm asking you not about the configuration of
17· ·the river.· I'm asking you about the fence on the
18· ·boundary of parcel A.· Do you understand that?
19· · · · A.· ·Yes.
20· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Do you see where the boundary of parcel
21· ·A is depicted on this map?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·You've highlighted it in yellow, correct?
24· · · · A.· ·Yes.
25· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And you've also drawn in blue on this
·1· ·map where you believe this map is showing the boundary
·2· ·of parcel A fenced?
·3· · · · A.· ·I have not.
·4· · · · Q.· ·Will you, please?
·5· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· I'm going to object to the extent
·6· · · · · that the map in Exhibit 53 which the deponent --
·7· · · · · is a map from 2000.· The deponent has,
·8· · · · · repeatedly, stated that the configuration of the
·9· · · · · river which provides him identifiers as to where
10· · · · · certain things are is, potentially, different
11· · · · · from what his knowledge is. And therefore, I
12· · · · · would object to the extent that the question
13· · · · · misinterprets the present state of the
14· · · · · configuration of the river.· Otherwise, go ahead.
15· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
16· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, you just drew an additional blue
17· ·line.· You're now -- you've now indicated the full
18· ·extent where you believe this map indicates a fence
19· ·along the boundary of parcel A, correct?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.· And I've confused because I know where
21· ·the river's berated.· And I know where this is showing
22· ·the river being berated.· And it's difficult to tell,
23· ·exactly, where that fence runs and has run based on this
24· ·map.
25· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· But right now, all I'm asking about is
·1· ·where the map shows fence existing, not where the fence
·2· ·exists vis-a-vis the river.· Do you understand the
·3· ·difference?
·4· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection.· Mischaracterizes your
·5· · · · · prior questions.· Go ahead and answer.
·6· · · · · THE WITNESS:· You're asking me to outline this
·7· · · · · boundary line that is depicted here on this map?
·8· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·9· · · · Q.· ·No.· I am asking you to outline where the
10· ·fence is shown on this map.· This map shows, "fence
11· ·line," as an item delineated in the legend.· I am asking
12· ·you to draw a blue line along the extent of what you
13· ·believe is being indicated as the fence line on this
14· ·map?
15· · · · A.· ·Okay.· And I'm not trying to be combative
16· ·here.· I'm trying to get down to what you're asking me
17· ·to do.· And I will state again, it's -- the -- the
18· ·legend is not represented on this boundary line as it is
19· ·here.
20· · · · Q.· ·And have you now drawn --
21· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Can you let the witness --
22· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· -- a blue line --
23· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· -- finish answering your
24· · · · · question?· If you want to interrupt him, you can.
25· · · · · But to make a clear record, he's -- he was
·1· · · · · continuing to answer your question.
·2· · · · · THE WITNESS:· In this area, there is no
·3· · · · · indication based on the legend that there is a
·4· · · · · fence in that location or here.· It only shows
·5· · · · · the location here. This is just a dotted line
·6· · · · · that isn't even on the legend.· There's no X in
·7· · · · · between the lines demarking a fence line as it
·8· · · · · says in the legend.
·9· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
10· · · · Q.· ·I agree that that map does not show a fence
11· ·line extending down the entire eastern boundary of
12· ·parcel A.· And I agree that the blue line that you've
13· ·now drawn does delineate the extent of fence line shown
14· ·on the map.· So now, my question is: Do you have any
15· ·reason to believe that the fence line indicated on this
16· ·map as you've now outlined it in blue is inaccurate
17· ·circa 1997?
18· · · · A.· ·I don't know.· 1997?
19· · · · Q.· ·Yes.· That's the date of this survey.
20· · · · A.· ·Okay.
21· · · · Q.· ·How about as of 2000?· Do you have any reason
22· ·to believe that the outline of fence as you've
23· ·delineated it on this map is inaccurate as of 2000?
24· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
25· · · · Q.· ·What evidence does the Ranch have -- strike
·1· ·that.· Do you dispute that the fence line as indicated
·2· ·on this map is accurate as of the year 2000?
·3· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection.· Asked and answered.
·4· · · · · I think you just rephrased your prior question
·5· · · · · which was already answered.
·6· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I don't have any information one
·7· · · · · way or the other to dispute it or not dispute it.
·8· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·9· · · · Q.· ·I'm asking about the Ranch at Roaring Fork's
10· ·position in this lawsuit.
11· · · · A.· ·Understood.
12· · · · Q.· ·Is the Ranch at Roaring Fork's position in
13· ·this lawsuit that the delineation of fence as shown on
14· ·this map is inaccurate as of the date of this map?
15· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection to form.· This deponent
16· · · · · has never seen this map before.· It's a map from
17· · · · · 2000.· Asking about the whole basis of a lawsuit
18· · · · · based on a map that was just produced yesterday,
19· · · · · I'm going to object to that question.
20· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Produced by whom yesterday?
21· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· By the Ranch at Roaring Fork.
22· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.
23· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
24· · · · Q.· ·Please answer the question.
25· · · · A.· ·No.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· Just to clarify, the answer to the
·2· ·question was no?· You weren't telling me, no, you won't
·3· ·answer the question?
·4· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Thank you.· We spoke earlier about
·6· ·Bob O'Brien.· Is Bob O'Brien's first name, actually,
·7· ·Robert?
·8· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·9· · · · Q.· ·We've spoken a few times about the head gate
10· ·within parcel A.· What is the head gate?
11· · · · A.· ·The head gate is a control structure that
12· ·allows the Ranch at Roaring Fork to modify water flow
13· ·into our property.
14· · · · Q.· ·When was the head gate built?
15· · · · A.· ·The existing head gate was built in 1993.
16· · · · Q.· ·In 1993?· Within parcel A, there's a spot
17· ·where you can walk across the Patterson Ditch.· Is that
18· ·the head gate?· Or is that a different structure?
19· · · · A.· ·That is the head gate.
20· · · · Q.· ·That's the head gate.· Let's go ahead and take
21· ·a look, now, at Exhibit 54.
22· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Are we done with Exhibit 53?
23· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yeah.
24· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
25· · · · Q.· ·I've handed you a copy of what has been marked
·1· ·as Exhibit 54.· And I want to draw your attention to the
·2· ·photograph in this exhibit.· There's a waterway in the
·3· ·background of this photo.· That's the Roaring Fork
·4· ·River, correct?
·5· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·6· · · · Q.· ·And then in the foreground, there's another
·7· ·waterway.· That's the Patterson Ditch, right?
·8· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·9· · · · Q.· ·And then in between the Roaring Fork River and
10· ·the Patterson Ditch, there is a concrete structure.
11· ·That concrete structure is a dam, I believe, that was
12· ·built to facilitate construction of the head gate that
13· ·we were just discussing, correct?
14· · · · A.· ·That would make sense.
15· · · · Q.· ·It would make sense.· But is it accurate?
16· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
17· · · · Q.· ·You don't know what the concrete structure is?
18· · · · A.· ·I don't.
19· · · · Q.· ·Where is the location of the head gate
20· ·vis-a-vis that structure?· Do you know?
21· · · · A.· ·Nearly in the same location, just around the
22· ·trackhoe.
23· · · · Q.· ·So the head gate is in the location where the
24· ·trackhoe is sitting, not in the location where the Ditch
25· ·is running in this photograph?
·1· · · · A.· ·It's hard to tell because of the disturbed
·2· ·ground here, to orient myself.· But I -- I believe it's
·3· ·about in the location of where that dam is, but maybe
·4· ·just to the west.
·5· · · · Q.· ·So you think it's a little bit -- potentially,
·6· ·a little bit closer to the river than that dam is in
·7· ·this picture?
·8· · · · A.· ·Well, right in that -- very -- very close to
·9· ·that, where that dam is.· It's very close.
10· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Okay.· Sabia, I apologize. I
11· · · · · did a bad job keeping track of exhibit numbers as
12· · · · · we were on the fly here.· Which exhibit was the
13· · · · · defendant's Objections and Responses to
14· · · · · Plaintiff's First Set of Discovery Requests?
15· · · · · THE REPORTER:· That'll be 52.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· 52.
17· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
18· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, do you still have a copy of
19· ·Exhibit 52 in front of you?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·Go ahead and flip to page 11 of this document.
22· ·The page numbers are in the upper left-hand corner.· And
23· ·I'm going to draw your attention to non-pattern
24· ·Interrogatory number 9.· The Interrogatory asks to
25· ·identify when you, being the Ranch at Roaring Fork,
·1· ·constructed the 1993 fence which refers to the fence
·2· ·depicted in that photograph we were just looking at in
·3· ·Exhibit 54.· The Ranch's response was on information and
·4· ·belief before 1989; is that correct?
·5· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·6· · · · Q.· ·What information informs that answer?
·7· · · · A.· ·Information from interviews with Ranch
·8· ·residents and contractor.
·9· · · · Q.· ·And those Ranch residents to your whom you're
10· ·referring, the only one you've identified is
11· ·Mike Fordyce.· Are there other Ranch residents who've
12· ·verified this as well?
13· · · · A.· ·Stewart McConaughy.· That's it.
14· · · · Q.· ·And the contractor you just referred to is
15· ·Bob O'Brien?
16· · · · A.· ·Correct.
17· · · · Q.· ·Any other contractors that informed that
18· ·belief?
19· · · · A.· ·No.
20· · · · Q.· ·What did Stewart McConaughy tell you about the
21· ·presence of a fence in that location before 1989?
22· · · · A.· ·That he believed the fence was in place.
23· · · · Q.· ·When did Stewart McConaughy begin residing at
24· ·the Ranch?
25· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·1· · · · Q.· ·What did he tell you was the basis for his
·2· ·belief that the fence was in place in that location?
·3· · · · A.· ·His involvement with the Ranch as Ranch
·4· ·President and with residents.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Let's look further down on page 11 of
·6· ·Exhibit 52 to non-pattern Interrogatory 11.· This is
·7· ·regarding the 1993 fence which is defined as the fence
·8· ·depicted in that photograph we were just looking at on
·9· ·Exhibit 54. "Identify when it was removed.· And identify
10· ·the exact location and extent of the portions of fence
11· ·that remained in place after it was removed, either by
12· ·providing a legal description containing its metes and
13· ·bounds or by producing a demonstrative exhibit in the
14· ·form of a copy of the St. Finnbar plat with the location
15· ·drawn thereon."· Your response was, "A, portions of the
16· ·fence were removed by the Ranch's contractor in 2019.
17· ·High water events have also damaged portions of the
18· ·1993 fence over time."· And B, in response to our
19· ·request for the location, you answered, "this
20· ·information is equally available to St. Finnbar.· The
21· ·work performed was done by the Ranch's third-party
22· ·contractor, Top Notch Fence." Did I read that correctly?
23· · · · A.· ·Yes.
24· · · · Q.· ·So is it accurate that the Ranch at Roaring
25· ·Fork doesn't have access to Top Notch Fence's records of
·1· ·the location of fence that it built in 2019?
·2· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·3· · · · Q.· ·You reviewed the Ranch at Roaring Fork's
·4· ·documents in preparing for today?
·5· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·6· · · · Q.· ·And in particular, you reviewed documentation
·7· ·of the 2019 fence construction?
·8· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·9· · · · Q.· ·And you've testified that the only
10· ·documentation of that you could find was the invoice
11· ·from Top Notch Fence that you've already produced?
12· · · · A.· ·Correct.
13· · · · Q.· ·So by answering this question the way you did,
14· ·the Ranch's position is that if we want to find out the
15· ·location of fence that Top Notch Fence installed, we
16· ·have to ask Top Notch Fence because you don't know?
17· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object.· Mischaracterizes the
18· · · · · testimony.
19· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I don't know what the documents are
20· · · · · that you asked for, if there are any.
21· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
22· · · · Q.· ·Well, let's reread non-pattern Interrogatory
23· ·11.B.· It says "Identify the exact location and extent
24· ·of the portions of fence that remained in place after
25· ·the 1993 fence was removed."· You answered, "this
·1· ·information is equally available to St. Finnbar.· The
·2· ·work performed was done by the Ranch's third-party
·3· ·contractor, Top Notch Fence," correct?
·4· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So does that mean that Top Notch Fence
·6· ·conducted the removal of portions of the 1993 fence?
·7· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·8· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Let's go off the record for a
·9· · · · · minute.
10· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Yep.· We are off the record. Time
11· · · · · is 11:31 a.m.· Mountain Time.
12· · · · · · · (OFF THE RECORD)
13· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are back on the record.· The
14· · · · · time is 11:38 a.m.· Mountain Time.· You may
15· · · · · begin.
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· We're on 55?
17· · · · · THE REPORTER:· 55.· Yes.
18· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.
19· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 55 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
20· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
21· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've handed you a copy of what has
22· ·been marked Exhibit 55.· This is a plat of St. Finnbar
23· ·Farm Subdivision.· It's two pages.· And I would like to
24· ·draw your attention to the second page, please.· Do you
25· ·see where parcel A is indicated on this map?
·1· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Can you please highlight it in yellow?
·3· · · · A.· ·The boundary?
·4· · · · Q.· ·Yeah.· Are you able to identify on this map
·5· ·what portions of fence Top Notch constructed in 2019?
·6· · · · A.· ·Approximately.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Will you, with this blue pen I'm handing you,
·8· ·draw a line indicating the extent of fence that Top
·9· ·Notch constructed in 2019?
10· · · · A.· ·It's difficult to apply something in 2019 to a
11· ·plat that was done in -- was it 2020?
12· · · · Q.· ·How much fence did Top Notch construct in 2019
13· ·in terms of linear feet?
14· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection.· Asked and answered.
15· · · · · Go ahead.
16· · · · · THE WITNESS:· A small section at the southernmost
17· · · · · end of the Ranch, parcel -- of parcel A.
18· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
19· · · · Q.· ·That's it?· It didn't replace or repair or
20· ·construct any additional fence along the whole length?
21· ·It just built a small section at the southernmost tip of
22· ·parcel A where it goes under the river?
23· · · · A.· ·And it replaced a section that was damaged.
24· · · · Q.· ·Where was that section?
25· · · · A.· ·At the southernmost point of parcel A,
·1· ·approaching the river.
·2· · · · Q.· ·It didn't repair or replace or construct any
·3· ·other sections of fence?
·4· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Between 1986 and Top Notch's fence
·6· ·construction in 2019, what inspections did the Ranch at
·7· ·Roaring Fork conduct on the eastern boundary of parcel
·8· ·A?
·9· · · · A.· ·The fence condition, blocking in the creek --
10· ·Patterson Ditch -- blocking in Patterson Ditch, ensuring
11· ·water's flowing into the Ranch, adjusting water level as
12· ·necessary based on river flow, vegetation control.
13· ·That's about it.
14· · · · Q.· ·What was the frequency of those inspections?
15· · · · A.· ·Daily.
16· · · · Q.· ·Daily?· Who would conduct those inspections on
17· ·behalf of the ranch?
18· · · · A.· ·The Ranch foreman or employees assigned to the
19· ·foreman.
20· · · · Q.· ·What written records does the Ranch have
21· ·relating to those inspections and that work?
22· · · · A.· ·No records.
23· · · · Q.· ·How would reports of the results of those
24· ·inspections and that work matriculate from the ranch
25· ·manager to the Board?
·1· · · · A.· ·It depended on severity.· Many times, a ranch
·2· ·staff would just take care of the problem as a matter of
·3· ·everyday business.· And it may not be reported to the
·4· ·Board.
·5· · · · Q.· ·How would the Board stay apprised of the work
·6· ·that the foreman and ranch manager were doing with
·7· ·respect to parcel A?
·8· · · · A.· ·The assignment would be given to the ranch
·9· ·manager.· And if there was something substantive that
10· ·the Board needed to hear about, the ranch manager would
11· ·report out.· But again, the maintenance of that area,
12· ·just as the rest of the property of the Ranch at Roaring
13· ·Fork, was done as a matter of everyday work.
14· · · · Q.· ·There's not a regular recurring ranch
15· ·manager's report that happens as part of the monthly
16· ·board meetings?
17· · · · A.· ·There is.
18· · · · Q.· ·And does that get reflected in the minutes of
19· ·the meetings?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·How long has that been the procedure?
22· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
23· · · · Q.· ·Is there a time when that was not the
24· ·procedure?
25· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Has there been a time during your tenure when
·2· ·that was not the procedure?
·3· · · · A.· ·No.
·4· · · · Q.· ·And in preparing for today's deposition,
·5· ·you've reviewed minutes of the board meetings going back
·6· ·to 1986?
·7· · · · A.· ·No.
·8· · · · Q.· ·How far back are the -- do the minutes that
·9· ·you were able to review go?
10· · · · A.· ·I believe they're part of what we submitted.
11· ·If I could review those minutes, I could tell you the
12· ·exact date.
13· · · · Q.· ·Is there a portion of history for which the
14· ·Ranch no longer has copies of minutes of board meetings?
15· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
16· · · · Q.· ·In your response to non-pattern Interrogatory
17· ·number 11, you say, "High water events have also damaged
18· ·portions of the 1993 fence over time," correct?
19· · · · A.· ·Correct.
20· · · · Q.· ·What high water events are you referring to in
21· ·that answer?
22· · · · A.· ·I don't know, specifically, what high water
23· ·events.
24· · · · Q.· ·Does the Ranch have any written records
25· ·relating to those high water events damaging the fence?
·1· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·2· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today, you didn't come across
·3· ·any records of reports from the ranch manager of a high
·4· ·water event taking out a section of fence along the
·5· ·boundary of parcel A?
·6· · · · A.· ·No.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Between October of 1986 and construction of
·8· ·Top Notch's fence construction on the boundary of parcel
·9· ·A in 2019, what permission did the Ranch at Roaring Fork
10· ·give to owners of St. Finnbar or their guests to access
11· ·parcel A?
12· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
13· · · · Q.· ·Was there ever a time that the Ranch gave
14· ·permission for St. Finnbar to use parcel A?
15· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
16· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, were you
17· ·able to identify any record of any permission from the
18· ·Ranch having ever been granted to St. Finnbar to use
19· ·parcel A?
20· · · · A.· ·No.
21· · · · Q.· ·Since your tenure on the Board began, has the
22· ·ranch ever granted anyone at St. Finnbar permission to
23· ·use parcel A?
24· · · · A.· ·No.
25· · · · Q.· ·Have people from the Ranch recorded instances
·1· ·of stopping a trespasser from St. Finnbar who they found
·2· ·either in parcel A or on the Ranch property near parcel
·3· ·A?
·4· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·5· · · · Q.· ·How many times has that happened?
·6· · · · A.· ·Infrequently.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Are you aware of specific instances of that
·8· ·happening?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·Describe those for me.
11· · · · A.· ·One was with -- I encountered two ladies and
12· ·two dogs on Ranch property.· And I just told them they
13· ·were trespassing and they need to leave and escorted
14· ·them to the property in the St. Finnbar.
15· · · · Q.· ·Across parcel A?
16· · · · A.· ·I don't know that they -- I escorted them off
17· ·the Ranch property and through parcel A.· Yes.
18· · · · Q.· ·So you escorted them across the head gate and
19· ·then back onto St. Finnbar property over parcel A?
20· · · · A.· ·I -- I stood back and watched them leave.
21· · · · Q.· ·Then is it -- but that's the direction that
22· ·they left?
23· · · · A.· ·Correct.
24· · · · Q.· ·And you believe that's the direction that they
25· ·came from as well?
·1· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·2· · · · Q.· ·When was that?
·3· · · · A.· ·Approximately, in 2018.
·4· · · · Q.· ·And they were able to walk across parcel A
·5· ·back to St. Finnbar at that time without having to scale
·6· ·a fence?
·7· · · · A.· ·I didn't see what they did.· I watched them
·8· ·leave and went on a walk.
·9· · · · Q.· ·But at that time, one could walk from
10· ·St. Finnbar onto parcel A and then over onto the Ranch
11· ·without having to climb over a fence or go to the river,
12· ·correct?
13· · · · A.· ·They may have gone into the river to get over
14· ·there.· I didn't see what they did.
15· · · · Q.· ·That wasn't my question.· At that time, one
16· ·could walk from St. Finnbar onto parcel A without having
17· ·to either climb a fence or go into the river, correct?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·Any other specific trespassing events that
20· ·you're aware of on parcel A?
21· · · · A.· ·Not to that detail.· But I know that other
22· ·Ranch residents, infrequently, ran into people and asked
23· ·them to leave, told they were -- told them they were
24· ·trespassing including Ranch contractor and Ranch
25· ·employees.
·1· · · · Q.· ·When the St. Finnbar Farm subdivision process
·2· ·began, the Ranch was aware of the efforts to subdivide
·3· ·St. Finnbar's property, correct?
·4· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·5· · · · Q.· ·And there were discussions between the Ranch
·6· ·and St. Finnbar relating to the subdivision, correct?
·7· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·8· · · · Q.· ·What knowledge did the Ranch have relating to
·9· ·St. Finnbar's subdivision process?
10· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
11· · · · Q.· ·How did the Ranch participate in St. Finnbar's
12· ·subdivision process?
13· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
14· · · · Q.· ·Were you aware of a discussion between the
15· ·Ranch and St. Finnbar around the time of the subdivision
16· ·relating to provision of sewer service?
17· · · · A.· ·I know that it occurred.
18· · · · Q.· ·What do you know about those discussions?
19· · · · A.· ·I know the Ranch was approached to possibly
20· ·provide sewer service to St. Finnbar.· I don't know the
21· ·details of those conversations.
22· · · · Q.· ·Do you know what the outcome of those
23· ·conversations was?
24· · · · A.· ·I know the current situation which is the
25· ·Ranch provides sewer service to St. Finnbar.
·1· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, what did
·2· ·you do to familiarize yourself with the Ranch's
·3· ·knowledge of or participation in the land use approval
·4· ·process in connection with St. Finnbar's subdivision?
·5· · · · A.· ·I didn't review documents related to that.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Mr. Pettet, I'm handing you what has,
·7· ·previously, been marked Exhibit 34.· And I'd like to
·8· ·draw your attention to the fifth page of this exhibit --
·9· ·sorry, I apologize, the sixth page.· What does this
10· ·photograph depict?
11· · · · A.· ·A no trespassing sign installed by the Ranch
12· ·at Roaring Fork.
13· · · · Q.· ·And where is that sign located?
14· · · · A.· ·On parcel A.
15· · · · Q.· ·Within parcel A's boundaries?
16· · · · A.· ·Correct.
17· · · · Q.· ·When was that sign placed in that location?
18· · · · A.· ·Around 2007.
19· · · · Q.· ·Who placed that sign in that location?
20· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
21· · · · Q.· ·Who was -- who ordered that sign to be placed
22· ·in that location?
23· · · · A.· ·The Board of Directors.
24· · · · Q.· ·Of the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
25· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Did the Ranch at Roaring Fork seek or
·2· ·receive permission from St. Finnbar to place that sign
·3· ·in that location?
·4· · · · A.· ·No.· It was a replacement of a sign that was
·5· ·already there.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Did the Ranch at Roaring Fork seek or receive
·7· ·permission from St. Finnbar for replacement of that
·8· ·preexisting sign?
·9· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
10· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, did you
11· ·search the Ranch's documents and files for evidence of
12· ·permission from St. Finnbar for the placement of that
13· ·sign?
14· · · · A.· ·Of the original sign?
15· · · · Q.· ·Yes.
16· · · · A.· ·No.
17· · · · Q.· ·Do you have any evidence that St. Finnbar
18· ·granted permission for the placement of a sign in that
19· ·location at any time?
20· · · · A.· ·No.
21· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 56.
22· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· I'm sorry.· This one -- did I
23· · · · · not give you --
24· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Okay.· Perfect.
25· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·1· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've handed you a copy of what has
·2· ·previously been marked Exhibit 13.· This is a existing
·3· ·Conditions Survey of a portion of St. Finnbar Farm
·4· ·subdivision that was put together by True North
·5· ·Surveying in 2017.· I recognize the scale on this is
·6· ·kind of small.· And if you need to, I can certainly have
·7· ·someone go make us a plat sized copy to tote around the
·8· ·room.· But I --
·9· · · · A.· ·Thank you.· Let's try.
10· · · · Q.· ·-- think it's legible enough that we --
11· · · · A.· ·Yeah.
12· · · · Q.· ·-- can work with it.· First of all, if you
13· ·look on Lot 7, there is a dashed line labeled, "existing
14· ·trail," that goes all the way up in the middle of the
15· ·Lot.· Do you see that?
16· · · · A.· ·Yes.
17· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And then down to the south of that
18· ·existing trail, there's a dashed line with Xs labeled,
19· ·"wire fence," that looks to be in about the same
20· ·location as the similar fence that you indicated earlier
21· ·depicted on that large blue plat that we were looking
22· ·at.· Do you see where I'm talking about?
23· · · · A.· ·Yeah.
24· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And then where that wire fence and the
25· ·existing trail intersect, there's a labeled gate.· Do
·1· ·you see that?
·2· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And then if you follow the line of that
·4· ·wire fence line up to the north and west, going away
·5· ·from that gate, you get to a place where it intersects
·6· ·at the corner of -- at the eastern boundary of parcel A.
·7· ·And now, there's an indication labeled, "cyclone fence."
·8· ·Do you see that?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And then this indicates the trail going
11· ·through the gate and up and over and across the head
12· ·gate for the Patterson Ditch which is then indicated
13· ·downstream of the head gate by the -- it looks like it
14· ·says, "channel."· Are you still with me on that?
15· · · · A.· ·Yes.
16· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Do you have any reason to believe that
17· ·this is an inaccurate depiction of the conditions on the
18· ·ground vis a vis parcel A, the fencing, and that trail
19· ·circa the date of this survey in 2017?
20· · · · A.· ·I believe I've seen a picture of a fence
21· ·extending closer to the river, from 1993.
22· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Sorry.· I'm the worst today.
23· · · · · THE REPORTER:· You're good.
24· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Can you remind me what exhibit
25· · · · · this one was?
·1· · · · · THE REPORTER:· That one will be 54.
·2· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.
·3· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·4· · · · Q.· ·And Mr. Pettet, I'm showing you a copy of what
·5· ·we've, previously, looked at as Exhibit 54.· Is this
·6· ·photo to which you're referring?
·7· · · · A.· ·No.
·8· · · · · THE REPORTER:· And you would like this one
·9· · · · · marked, correct?
10· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yes, please.
11· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Now marking Exhibit 56.
12· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 56 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
13· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
14· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've just handed you what has been
15· ·marked Exhibit 56.· This is another photograph from
16· ·1993.· Is this the photograph to which you're referring?
17· · · · A.· ·No.
18· · · · Q.· ·Just to help me, what are we looking at in
19· ·this photograph?
20· · · · A.· ·We are looking at the Patterson Ditch, I
21· ·believe.
22· · · · Q.· ·What's this concrete structure in the
23· ·foreground of the photograph that the Patterson Ditch is
24· ·flowing through?
25· · · · A.· ·It's a measuring weir.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Where is that measuring weir located on the
·2· ·Patterson Ditch vis a vis the head gate?
·3· · · · A.· ·This is prior to my involvement with the
·4· ·Ranch.· I -- it's hard to tell, exactly.· It's, of
·5· ·course, between the river and -- and the Ranch.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Sure.
·7· · · · A.· ·Uh-huh.
·8· · · · Q.· ·And it looks like in this photograph the
·9· ·photographer is facing north?
10· · · · A.· ·Correct.
11· · · · Q.· ·So the Roaring Fork River would be behind the
12· ·photographer --
13· · · · A.· ·Correct.
14· · · · Q.· ·-- as oriented in this picture?· And the date
15· ·on this is the same date as that earlier photograph we
16· ·were just looking at with the trackhoe in it, correct?
17· · · · A.· ·Correct.
18· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So am I correct in believing that the
19· ·orientation of this is such that the trackhoe would also
20· ·be to the photographer's back.· And we're downstream, on
21· ·the Ditch, of whatever work that trackhoe was doing on
22· ·this day?
23· · · · A.· ·Correct.
24· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So this is not a picture depicting the
25· ·fence that you were just referring to from 1993?
·1· · · · A.· ·No.
·2· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· So it's your testimony that there is
·3· ·another picture from 1993 that the Ranch has evidence of
·4· ·that shows a fence location that's different from the
·5· ·one identified here on Exhibit 13?
·6· · · · A.· ·I recall seeing a -- a picture of a fence that
·7· ·was closer to the river.
·8· · · · Q.· ·And that was a different picture from the two
·9· ·that we just looked at?
10· · · · A.· ·Yes.
11· · · · Q.· ·Have you disclosed that picture?
12· · · · A.· ·I -- I don't know.· But I'm just recalling
13· ·seeing a -- a picture of a fence that was closer to the
14· ·river.
15· · · · Q.· ·And so, is it your testimony that, based on
16· ·that 1993 photograph, you believe that this 2017
17· ·Existing Conditions Map is inaccurate with respect to
18· ·the location of fences on the boundary of parcel A?
19· · · · A.· ·If that fence is indeed in that place, it
20· ·would be difficult to have a trail that was configured
21· ·like that.
22· · · · Q.· ·So is it your testimony that, based on that
23· ·1993 photo, you believe this Existing Conditions Map is
24· ·an inaccurate depiction of the conditions on the ground
25· ·in 2017?
·1· · · · A.· ·When I'm looking at the scale -- there was,
·2· ·certainly, no trail there as depicted on this map.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Is that your answer?
·4· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·5· · · · Q.· ·When you confronted the trespassers you
·6· ·testified about in 2018, approximately, what path did
·7· ·they follow to return to St. Finnbar?
·8· · · · A.· ·I don't know.· I escorted them, turned around,
·9· ·and walked away.· I don't know if they --
10· · · · Q.· ·Can you identify on this map the approximate
11· ·location to which you escorted them?· How about you get
12· ·the yellow highlighter and indicate it with that,
13· ·please?· And then with the blue pen, would you draw an
14· ·arrow indicating their direction of travel at your last
15· ·observation of them?· They were walking straight into
16· ·the cyclone fence?
17· · · · A.· ·The scale is small.· I'm sorry.· I'm -- they
18· ·were walking toward the cyclone fence.· That's when I
19· ·last saw them.· So it didn't take them long to get
20· ·there.
21· · · · Q.· ·They had dogs with them?
22· · · · A.· ·They did.
23· · · · Q.· ·Two dogs, you testified?
24· · · · A.· ·That's correct.
25· · · · Q.· ·What kind of dogs?
·1· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·2· · · · Q.· ·What size of dogs?
·3· · · · A.· ·Medium size.
·4· · · · Q.· ·How tall is the cyclone fence in that
·5· ·location?
·6· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to form.
·7· · · · · THE WITNESS:· There's 6 feet of cyclone fence.
·8· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·9· · · · Q.· ·6 feet tall of cyclone fence.· And then
10· ·there's three strands of barbed wire on top of that,
11· ·right?
12· · · · A.· ·Correct.
13· · · · Q.· ·And so what's the total height of the fence?
14· · · · A.· ·The total height of the fence is,
15· ·approximately, 8 feet.
16· · · · Q.· ·And that's the condition of cyclone fence that
17· ·existed in 2017 as well?
18· · · · A.· ·Yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·And in 2018, when you ousted those two hikers
20· ·with their dogs?
21· · · · A.· ·Yes.
22· · · · Q.· ·Did you get their names?
23· · · · A.· ·No.
24· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Are you marking this as a new
25· · · · · exhibit with his annotations?
·1· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yes.
·2· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Yes.
·3· · · · · This will be Exhibit 57.
·4· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 57 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·5· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·6· · · · Q.· ·At the time of St. Finnbar's subdivision, who
·7· ·was the Ranch at Roaring Fork's ranch manager?
·8· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
·9· · · · Q.· ·At the time of St. Finnbar's subdivision, what
10· ·evidence does the Ranch at Roaring Fork have that a
11· ·fence extended across the entire length of the eastern
12· ·boundary of parcel A?
13· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
14· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Based on your preparation work and
15· ·sitting here today as the representative of the Ranch at
16· ·Roaring Fork, can you identify any specific evidence
17· ·that there was a fence along the entire boundary of --
18· ·along the entire eastern boundary of parcel A at the
19· ·time of St. Finnbar's subdivision?
20· · · · A.· ·No.· Other than the '93 photographs from
21· ·Bob O'Brien submitted.
22· · · · Q.· ·Let's take a look back at the Defendant's
23· ·Answer, Affirmative Defenses, and Counterclaims that we
24· ·looked at earlier at Exhibit --
25· · · · · THE REPORTER:· The Defense and Counterclaims?
·1· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yeah.
·2· · · · · THE REPORTER:· That'd be 50.
·3· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· 50?· Thank you.
·4· · · · · THE WITNESS:· Is this it?· I'm just --
·5· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·6· · · · Q.· ·That's it.· Go ahead and take a look at page 5
·7· ·of that document.· The page numbers are in the upper
·8· ·left-hand corner.· And down towards the bottom of the
·9· ·page, do you see where it says Affirmative Defenses?
10· · · · A.· ·Yes.
11· · · · Q.· ·Your Affirmative Defense number 3, second
12· ·sentence says, "There is no deeded fisherman's easement
13· ·depicted on the plat across parcel A."· Did I read that
14· ·correctly?
15· · · · A.· ·Yes.
16· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· I want to draw your attention back,
17· ·now, to -- we have been looking at the second page of
18· ·the plat.· Now, I'd like to draw your attention to the
19· ·first page of the plat over on the left-hand side of the
20· ·page.· There's a series of enumerated plat notes.
21· · · · A.· ·Yes.
22· · · · Q.· ·Do you see Plat Note 7?
23· · · · A.· ·Yes.
24· · · · Q.· ·And do you see Subsection 7D?
25· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·1· · · · Q.· ·What does that say about the boundaries of the
·2· ·Fishing Easement?
·3· · · · A.· ·It says, "With respect to Roaring Fork River,
·4· ·Lot 7, 8, 9, 10 shall be subject to a Fishing Easement
·5· ·recorded in book 1226, page 326."
·6· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And now, looking back at the second
·7· ·page of the plat, parcel A is, primarily, located on
·8· ·Lot 7, correct?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·Did St. Finnbar ask the Ranch at Roaring
11· ·Fork's permission before granting Garfield County the
12· ·Fishing Easement?
13· · · · A.· ·No.
14· · · · Q.· ·I've just handed you a copy of what has
15· ·previously been marked Exhibit 38.· I'm going to
16· ·represent to you that this is a copy of the Fishing
17· ·Easement that's referred to in that Plat Note 7D that
18· ·you were just reading.· I'd like to draw your attention
19· ·to the last page of this document.· I'm going to
20· ·represent to you, this is the legal description of that
21· ·Fishing Easement.· And then it covers Lots 6 through 10.
22· ·Do you see that?
23· · · · A.· ·Parcel of land situated government Lots 6, 12,
24· ·13, and 19?
25· · · · Q.· ·Those are government Lots which are sections
·1· ·on the USGS survey of the underlined ground.· Those are
·2· ·different from St. Finnbar Lots.· If you look above
·3· ·that, in parentheses, in the title, it says, "Lot 6
·4· ·through 10."· Do you see that?
·5· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·6· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Look on the first page of this.· What's
·7· ·the date of this Fishing Easement?
·8· · · · A.· ·I can't read that.· I can't -- maybe December.
·9· · · · Q.· ·Look up at the recording date on it.
10· · · · A.· ·Uh-huh.
11· · · · Q.· ·When was this recorded?
12· · · · A.· ·January 9, 2001.
13· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And do you see there it says book 1226,
14· ·page 323, and Reception number 574729?
15· · · · A.· ·Yes.
16· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Do you understand what the Fishing
17· ·Easement does?
18· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Object to the extent it calls for
19· · · · · legal conclusion.
20· · · · · THE WITNESS:· No.
21· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
22· · · · Q.· ·Can you explain in layman's terms what the
23· ·Fishing Easement is?
24· · · · A.· ·A non-exclusive easement -- easement for the
25· ·purposes of fishing the Roaring Fork River.
·1· · · · Q.· ·And can you, just in your own layman's words,
·2· ·describe where the Fishing Easement is located?
·3· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection to the extent it calls
·4· · · · · for legal conclusion.
·5· · · · · THE WITNESS:· No.
·6· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·7· · · · Q.· ·And is it the Ranch at Roaring Fork's position
·8· ·that the Fishing Easement does not extend over parcel A?
·9· · · · A.· ·Yes.
10· · · · Q.· ·Usually, I'd wait to do this to you at trial.
11· ·But I've got enough of those that this one I'm going to
12· ·go ahead and show you now.· Take a look back at Exhibit
13· ·--· Was it 49 or 48 that had the URL stamped on the
14· ·bottom?
15· · · · · THE REPORTER:· This one?
16· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· That one.
17· · · · · THE REPORTER:· This would be 48.
18· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
19· · · · Q.· ·Do you remember that?
20· · · · A.· ·Yes.
21· · · · Q.· ·Down in the lower left-hand corner of that map
22· ·-- I'm sorry, the lower right-hand corner of that map,
23· ·what's that little green strip there labeled according
24· ·to that map's legend?
25· · · · A.· ·Fishing Easement.
·1· · · · Q.· ·And where is that with respect to parcel A?
·2· · · · A.· ·It's on parcel A.
·3· · · · Q.· ·And who published that map?
·4· · · · A.· ·The Ranch at Roaring Fork through the Fishing
·5· ·Committee for the Fishermen of the Ranch at Roaring Fork
·6· ·so that they understood that -- where they could access
·7· ·fishing as residents of the Ranch.
·8· · · · Q.· ·How many fishing easements exist that are in
·9· ·parcel A in that location?
10· · · · A.· ·I -- I don't know.
11· · · · Q.· ·Is that referring to a different fishing
12· ·easement than the one we were just looking at?
13· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection.· Foundation.
14· · · · · THE WITNESS:· I can tell you that the Ranch at
15· · · · · Roaring Fork was informing their residents and
16· · · · · their visitors on areas that they could fish at
17· · · · · the Ranch.
18· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Can we go off the record for a
19· · · · · second?
20· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We're off the record.· The time is
21· · · · · 12:36 p.m.· Mountain Time.
22· · · · · · · (OFF THE RECORD)
23· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are back on the record.· The
24· · · · · time is 12:48 p.m.· Mountain Time.· You may
25· · · · · begin.
·1· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.
·2· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·3· · · · Q.· ·Who's Rick Carsten?
·4· · · · A.· ·Rick Carseon is a former ranch foreman.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Okay.
·6· · · · A.· ·And could -- can I clarify something?· I'm --
·7· ·because I -- I'm looking at this photo again from 1993.
·8· ·And this is the photo I was referring to, that the fence
·9· ·went to the river.· And so, I think in my flurry of what
10· ·I remembered from a picture standpoint, I misspoke.· So
11· ·I just wanted to make sure that's clear.
12· · · · Q.· ·And that photo you're indicating is
13· ·Exhibit 54?
14· · · · A.· ·Yes.· Exhibit 54.· Thank you for that.
15· · · · Q.· ·So who's -- Rick Carsten is a former foreman
16· ·of the Ranch at Roaring Fork?
17· · · · A.· ·Correct.
18· · · · Q.· ·When was he foreman?
19· · · · A.· ·I don't know the exact tenure.· But his
20· ·employment ended in the last five years.· Yeah.
21· · · · Q.· ·Was he the foreman in July of 2017?
22· · · · A.· ·Yes.
23· · · · Q.· ·What issues has the Ranch at Roaring Fork had
24· ·with fisherman trespassing up through the Roaring Fork
25· ·River?
·1· · · · · MS. ROSENTHAL:· Objection.· Foundation.
·2· · · · · THE WITNESS:· There has been minor trespassing
·3· · · · · from across the river onto the Ranch at Roaring
·4· · · · · Fork property.
·5· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·6· · · · Q.· ·Like, people wading across the river from that
·7· ·parking Lot over on -- I guess, it's still Catherine's
·8· ·Store Road after it comes across the bridge there?
·9· · · · A.· ·No.· From -- actually, just across the river
10· ·from the Ranch at Roaring Fork on the -- the southerly
11· ·side of the Roaring Fork River.· So not even -- I
12· ·thought you were asking a general question about
13· ·trespass.
14· · · · Q.· ·The Ranch hasn't had any issues with fishermen
15· ·coming up along the riverbank from St. Finnbar and
16· ·fishing on the Ranch?
17· · · · A.· ·There has -- there has been some indications
18· ·of that as well.· So yes.
19· · · · Q.· ·What are those indications?
20· · · · A.· ·Infrequent contact with people wandering onto
21· ·the property.
22· · · · Q.· ·You're making this sound like it's kind of no
23· ·big deal.· Is that not something the Ranch is concerned
24· ·about?
25· · · · A.· ·It is something the Ranch is concerned about
·1· ·it.· One trespass is too many.
·2· · · · Q.· ·What role did fisherman trespassing have in
·3· ·the Ranch's decision to hire Top Notch to construct the
·4· ·fence that it built in 2019?
·5· · · · A.· ·Not much.· Fishermen --
·6· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 58.
·7· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 58 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
·8· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·9· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I just handed you a copy of what
10· ·has been marked Exhibit 58.· This is a document that the
11· ·Ranch produced.· It's titled, "Board of Directors
12· ·Meeting Minutes from February 11, 2019."· If you look on
13· ·the third page, we've highlighted some language for you
14· ·here.· It says, "Fence replacement on the easement on
15· ·St. Finnbar property was discussed.· The Easement
16· ·Agreement dates from 1986.· And the current fencing is
17· ·in bad condition which allows trespassing by fisherman
18· ·and livestock.· Rick received a bid for fence
19· ·replacement of 500 feet by 8 feet high for $6,757.
20· ·Discussion followed regarding cost sharing with
21· ·St. Finnbar and that communication with St. Finnbar
22· ·would be needed.· It was decided to use signage until
23· ·discussion with St. Finnbar takes place."· Did I read
24· ·that correctly?
25· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Were you present at that board meeting?
·2· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Do you remember that board meeting?
·4· · · · A.· ·There have been a Lot of board meetings. I
·5· ·don't remember this one in particular beyond the others.
·6· · · · Q.· ·So you don't remember the discussion about
·7· ·fisherman trespassing based on the condition of the
·8· ·fence as it then existed?
·9· · · · A.· ·I remember the Board deciding to replace the
10· ·fence.
11· · · · Q.· ·And this reflects that communication with
12· ·St. Finnbar would be needed.· What communication was
13· ·St. Finnbar ensued regarding construction of that fence?
14· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
15· · · · Q.· ·Do you have evidence that any communication
16· ·with St. Finnbar ensued regarding construction of the
17· ·fence?
18· · · · A.· ·No.
19· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for your deposition today, did
20· ·you look for such evidence?
21· · · · A.· ·No.· I was reviewing all of the documentation
22· ·that I've received
23· · · · Q.· ·It also references livestock trespassing.
24· ·What issues does the Ranch had with livestock
25· ·trespassing?
·1· · · · A.· ·Currently?
·2· · · · Q.· ·No, sir.· In 2019.
·3· · · · A.· ·Oh, 2019.· There -- the cows on the
·4· ·St. Finnbar side would -- would damage the fence,
·5· ·occasionally, rubbing up against it, that kind of thing.
·6· · · · Q.· ·So let's talk about incidents of trespassing
·7· ·from St. Finnbar.· You testified about one incident that
·8· ·you, personally, witnessed.· We've talked about
·9· ·occasional fishermen and livestock damaging defense.
10· ·What other incidents of trespassing from St. Finnbar
11· ·were issues in 2019?
12· · · · A.· ·The same, all of those.
13· · · · Q.· ·Just those, there weren't any others?
14· · · · A.· ·There were indications from residents that
15· ·they had encountered residents from St. Finnbar and Blue
16· ·Creek that were trespassing.
17· · · · Q.· ·How frequent were those?
18· · · · A.· ·Infrequently.
19· · · · · THE REPORTER:· Marking Exhibit 59.
20· · · · · · · (EXHIBIT 59 MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION)
21· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
22· · · · Q.· ·Mr. Pettet, I've handed you what has been
23· ·marked Exhibit 59.· This is a document the Ranch
24· ·produced.· It's titled, "Board of Directors Meeting
25· ·Minutes, July 1, 2019."· Do you have any reason to
·1· ·believe this is not an accurate copy of those meeting
·2· ·items?
·3· · · · A.· ·No.
·4· · · · Q.· ·On the second page, highlighted, it says,
·5· ·"Property boundaries with St. Finnbar were discussed
·6· ·with many incidents of trespassing noted."· Did I read
·7· ·that accurately?
·8· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·9· · · · Q.· ·And you were present at that meeting, right?
10· · · · A.· ·Yes.
11· · · · Q.· ·So what were those, "many incidents of
12· ·trespassing noted?"
13· · · · A.· ·I don't remember, exactly, what was
14· ·communicated from the trespass situation at this
15· ·meeting.· But as they had accumulated, they were
16· ·divulged at that meeting which -- and as I said, you
17· ·know, one is too many.· And we had trespass issues that
18· ·had accumulated enough that the Board wanted to take
19· ·action.
20· · · · Q.· ·And when were those incidents of trespassing?
21· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
22· · · · Q.· ·Take a look back at the Defendant's Responses
23· ·to Plaintiff's First Set of Written Discovery.
24· · · · · THE REPORTER:· That would be 52.
25· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
·1· · · · Q.· ·And I want you to flip to Request for
·2· ·Admission number 10 which is on page 23.· There, we've
·3· ·asked you to admit that you did not apply for or receive
·4· ·any permit from Garfield County for the fence that was
·5· ·constructed in 2019.· And you say, "admitted;" is that
·6· ·accurate?
·7· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·8· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· And what sort of notice did the Ranch
·9· ·give St. Finnbar before it did that 2019 fence
10· ·construction?
11· · · · A.· ·I don't know.· I know that the minutes
12· ·reflected that St. Finnbar needed to be contacted to see
13· ·if they would be involved in paying for the fence
14· ·construction.
15· · · · Q.· ·And I think we've already established that you
16· ·have identified no evidence that that contact occurred?
17· · · · A.· ·Correct.
18· · · · Q.· ·Nor are you firsthand aware of that contact
19· ·having occurred?
20· · · · A.· ·No.
21· · · · Q.· ·Okay.· Similarly -- well, let me ask this: Did
22· ·St. Finnbar approve the construction of that fence?
23· · · · A.· ·I don't know.
24· · · · Q.· ·In preparing for today's deposition, did you
25· ·search for evidence that St. Finnbar approved
·1· ·construction of that 2019 fence?
·2· · · · A.· ·Yes.
·3· · · · Q.· ·Did you find any?
·4· · · · A.· ·No.
·5· · · · Q.· ·Are you aware of any?
·6· · · · A.· ·No.
·7· · · · Q.· ·Let's go back to the Exhibit 57.
·8· · · · A.· ·Thank you.
·9· · · · Q.· ·When we were looking at Exhibit 57 earlier, I
10· ·asked you if you had any reason to believe that that was
11· ·an inaccurate depiction of the conditions on the ground
12· ·as they existed in 2017.· And you testified that there
13· ·was no trail in the location indicated, correct?
14· · · · A.· ·Correct.
15· · · · Q.· ·Is there anything else about that map that you
16· ·believe is an inaccurate representation of the
17· ·conditions on the ground as they existed in 2017
18· ·vis-a-vis parcel A?
19· · · · A.· ·The only -- is this picture that I wanted to
20· ·clarify about earlier, from -- that Bob O'Brien took.
21· · · · Q.· ·And just for the sake of a clean record,
22· ·you're looking at and indicating Exhibit 54?
23· · · · A.· ·Correct.· And seeing to the extent that the
24· ·fence exists, it would make this trail very difficult to
25· ·be in place.
·1· · · · Q.· ·Now, to be clear, that photo you're looking at
·2· ·was from 1993?
·3· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·4· · · · Q.· ·You've also testified that the Ranch is aware
·5· ·of a series of high water events that damaged the fence
·6· ·at some point in time before 2019?
·7· · · · A.· ·Correct.
·8· · · · Q.· ·So what you're telling me now is that based on
·9· ·a 1993 photograph, you believe that 2017 survey of the
10· ·fence conditions is false and that there is fencing in
11· ·place that that survey does not depict?
12· · · · · MR. SIMON:· Objection.· Form.
13· · · · · THE WITNESS:· What I'm saying is to the extent
14· · · · · that the fence from 1993 would be in place, it
15· · · · · would make this trail difficult to establish in
16· · · · · this configuration.
17· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
18· · · · Q.· ·But my question is: Whether you, the Ranch at
19· ·Roaring Fork, believes that this 2017 survey is an
20· ·inaccurate depiction of the conditions on the ground as
21· ·of the date of that survey other than the trail?· You've
22· ·already told me you think the trail didn't exist.
23· · · · A.· ·Yes.· Right.
24· · · · Q.· ·Is there anything else on that survey that you
25· ·think is inaccurate?
·1· · · · A.· ·No.
·2· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.· Let's go off the
·3· · · · · record for a couple minutes.
·4· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We are off the record.· The time
·5· · · · · is 1:07 p.m.· Mountain Time.
·6· · · · · · · (OFF THE RECORD)
·7· · · · · THE REPORTER:· We're back on the record.· The
·8· · · · · time is 1:17 p.m. Mountain Time.· You may begin.
·9· · · · · MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Thank you.
10· · · · · · ·BY MR. VAN ARSDALE:
11· · · · Q.· ·Let's look back at what was, previously,
12· ·identified as Exhibit 2.· That's the 1986 Easement
13· ·Agreement.· One of the things in this Agreement we
14· ·didn't talk about yet is the Grant to St. Finnbar
15· ·Easement over what's identified in here as parcel B.
16· ·Can you describe, just in your own lay terms, what the
17· ·Parcel B Easement was for?
18· · · · A.· ·It allows St. Finnbar access to that property
19· ·possession and enjoyment of it.· The sewer line went
20· ·through this area.· The access is Ranch at Roaring Fork.
21· · · · Q.· ·So it was for the hookup of St. Finnbar's
22· ·sewer system?
23· · · · A.· ·Correct.
24· · · · Q.· ·And is parcel B where St. Finnbar's sewer
25· ·hookup is, currently, located?
·1· ·A.· ·Yes.
·2· · ·MR. VAN ARSDALE:· That's all I have.
·3· · ·MS. ROSENTHAL:· No questions.
·4· · ·THE REPORTER:· Okay.· And then just before we go
·5· · ·off the record, I'd like to get transcripts
·6· · ·orders. Lucas, how would you like your
·7· · ·transcript?
·8· · ·MR. VAN ARSDALE:· PDF, four to a page.
·9· · ·THE REPORTER:· Okay.· And then Shoshana, how
10· · ·would you like your transcript?
11· · ·MS. ROSENTHAL:· Just regular order.· Do I have to
12· · ·-- I'm not sure I need to specify how I
13· · ·paginations, but regular order.
14· · ·THE REPORTER:· Yeah.
15· · ·MS. ROSENTHAL:· Yeah.
16· · ·THE REPORTER:· Is electronic okay?
17· · ·MS. ROSENTHAL:· Yeah.· That's fine.
18· · ·MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yeah.· Same.· Sorry.· I didn't
19· · ·realize that was what you were asking.· I guess
20· · ·PDF counts as electronic.· Yeah.
21· · ·THE REPORTER:· Yeah.· Would you like it
22· · ·searchable and everything?
23· · ·MR. VAN ARSDALE:· Yes, please.
24· · ·THE REPORTER:· Of course.· And Shoshana, will you
25· · ·be handling read and sign?
·1· ·MS. ROSENTHAL:· Yes.
·2· ·THE REPORTER:· Okay.· Perfect.
·3· ·And with that, we are off the record.· The time
·4· ·is 1:19 p.m. Mountain Time.
·5· · · ·(DEPOSITION CONCLUDED AT 1:19 P.M.· MT)
·6
·7
·8
·9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
·1· · · · · · · · · · CERTIFICATE OF REPORTER
·2· · · · · · · · · · · ·STATE OF COLORADO
·3
·4· ·I do hereby certify that the witness in the foregoing
·5· ·transcript was taken on the date, and at the time and
·6· ·place set out on the Title page here of by me after
·7· ·first being duly sworn to testify the truth, the whole
·8· ·truth, and nothing but the truth; and that the said
·9· ·matter was recorded digitally by me and then reduced to
10· ·type written form under my direction, and constitutes a
11· ·true record of the transcript as taken, all to the best
12· ·of my skill and ability. I certify that I am not a
13· ·relative or employee of either counsel, and that I am in
14· ·no way interested financially, directly or indirectly,
15· ·in this action.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22· ·SABIA UNDERWOOD,
23· ·COURT REPORTER / NOTARY
24· ·MY COMMISSION EXPIRES ON: 02/15/2027
25· ·SUBMITTED ON: 11/22/2023