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  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
  • Stephen Sloan vs. Panoche Water District06 Unlimited - Breach of Contract/Warranty document preview
						
                                

Preview

1 McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, E-FILED Wayte & Camith LLP 8/24/2020 4:37 PM 2 Gregory S. Mason, #148997 Superior Court of California greg. mason@mccormickbarstow. com 3 Ben Nicholson, #239893 County of Fresno ben.nicholson@mccormickbarstow.com By: Louana Peterson, Deputy 4 Paul R. Gaus, #319979 paul.gaus@mccormickbarstow. com 5 7647 North Fresno Street Fresno, California 93720 6 Telephone: (559)433-1300 Facsimile: (559) 433-2300 7 Attorneys for Defendant, PANOCHE WATER 8 DISTRICT 9 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10 COUNTY OF FRESNO 11 12 STEPHEN W. SLOAN, an individual, Case No. 18CECG00511 13 Plaintiff, DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT 14 IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION 15 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT, a California FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT water district; and DOES 1-100 inclusive. 16 Judge: Hon. Kimberly Gaab Defendants. Date: August 18,2020 September 23, 2020 17 Time: 3:30 p.m. Dept.: 503 18 Assigned for All Purposes to: 19 Hon. Kimberly Gaab 20 Action Filed: February 8,2018 Trial Date: May 4,2020 21 22 Defendant, PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT ("PWD"), hereby submits this Response to 23 Plaintiff STEPHEN W. SLOAN's ("SLOAN" or "Plaintiff') Separate Statement ofUndisputed and 24 Disputed Facts in Opposition to Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment. 25 ISSUE 1; Plaintiffs Claims Are Barred For Failure To Comply With The Government 26 27 28 MCCORMICK, BARSTOW, 037472-000000 7011529.1 SHEPPAHD, WAYTE & Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7S47 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 03720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Movins Party's Opposing Party's Response Moving Party's Reply; UndisDuted Material Facts and Supporting Evidence; 2 and Supporting Evidence: 3 1. PWD is a public Undisputed. 1. Undisputed. entity. 4 Supporting Evidence: 5 Rathmann Decl 1I1I4-6 6 attached as Ex. "L" to Defendant's Statement of 7 Evidence ("DSE"); 8 RJN HI, Exh. "B" to DSE [Second Amended 9 Complaint, pg. 1:26-28 (judicially admitting that 10 PWD "is, and at all times herein mentioned was, a 11 California water district duly formed and existing under the 12 laws of this State") 13 2. The subject lawsuit 2. Undisputed. 2. Undisputed. was filed against PWD on 14 February 8,2018. 15 Supporting Evidence: 16 RJN p, Exh. "D' to DSE [Complaint, pg. 1] 17 3. The subject lawsuit Undisputed. 3. Undisputed 18 seeks money or damages against PWD. 19 Supporting Evidence: 20 RJN H3, Exh. "D" to DSE 21 [Complaint, pg. 5:17-18 (stating the Plaintiff "prays 22 for judgment against [PWD...f]or compensatory 23 damages")]; 24 RJN H4, Exh. "E" to DSE [First Amended Complaint, 25 pg. 8:16-17 (stating the Plaintiff "prays for judgment 26 against [PWD... f]or compensatory damages"); 27 RJN HI, Exh. 'B" to DSE 28 [Second Amended MCCORMICK, BARSTOW, 037472-000000 7011529.1 SHEPPARD.WAYTEa Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7647 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Moving Party's Opposing Party's Response Moving Party's Reply: UndisDuted Material Facts and Supporting Evidence: 2 and Supporting Evidence; 3 Complaint, pg. 9:20-21 (stating the Plaintiff "prays 4 for judgment against [PWD... f]or compensatory 5 damages")]; 6 Decl. of Gregory S. Mason (Ex. "0" to DSB), 119, Exh. 7 "K" to DSE [Plaintiffs Response to Form 8 Interrogatory 9.1] 9 4. Prior to filing the 4. Disputed. 4. Sloan's response is subject lawsuit. Plaintiff objectionable, immaterial 10 never presented a written Plaintiff presented a written claim and unsupported by the claim to PWD. in the form of two invoices to proffered evidence. 11 PWD on or about November 16, Supporting Evidence: 2017. The invoices show Objection. Misstates the 12 Plaintiffs name and post office law. An invoice can neither Rathmarm Decl. 111|7-9 Ex. address as well as the address to serve as a written claim nor 13 "L" to DSE; which notices may be sent, the a "claim as presented" transaction giving rise to the under the Government 14 RJN1I3,Exh. "D" to DSE claim, a general description of the Claims Act because "[a]n [Complaint]; indebtedness, so far as it was invoice cannot be the 15 known at the time of presentation, subject of a suit until it is RJN 114, Exh. "E" to DSE and the amount claimed, so far as not paid [and] [a] party 16 [First Amended Complaint]; it was known at the time of seeking to sue a public presentation. The invoices were entity for an unpaid invoice 17 RJN HI, Exh. "B" to DSE presented on invoices regularly or bill must communicate, [Second Amended used in the conduct of Plaintiff s in essence, that a cause of 18 Complaint]; business, and were actually action has accrued because received by the Board of of the nonpayment, and that 19 Decl. of Gregory S. Mason, Directors. the failure to resolve the 1I1I4-7, Exh. "I" to DSE claim may result in 20 [Plaintiffs Response to As of the date service of litigation." Alliance Request for Production No. Plaintiffs Response to Request Financial et al v. City and 21 16] for Production No. 16, Panoche Cnty. ofSan Francisco had already produced the (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 22 invoices and the transmittal 643 email that constitute Sloan's 23 claim. Objection. Misstates the Evidence. Even if invoices 24 Supporting Evidence: could serve as claims, the subject invoices do not 25 Deposition of Ara Azhderian at comply or substantially 40:10-17, attached to the comply with the GCA and 26 concurrently filed Statement of are, therefore, not claims. Evidence as Exhibit D; Email The invoices do not show 27 from Diana Raineri to Sandra Plaintiffs name, but rather Reyes, dated 11/16/17, and reference an entity called 28 Sloan Invoice Nos. 110 and 111. "Sloan Enterprises." The McCormick, Barstow, 037472-000000 7011529.1 SHEPPARD.WAYTEa Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7M7 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO, CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Movins Party's Opposing Party's Response Moving Party's Reply: UndisDuted Material Facts and Supporting Evidence: 2 and Supporting Evidence: 3 dated 11/16/17 (Exhibit 32 to invoices do not provide a Deposition of Ara Azhderian), general description of the 4 attached to the concurrently filed indebtedness, but rather Statement of Evidence as contain a meager, 7-word 5 Exhibit H; Declaration of description that lacks the Stephen W. Sloan at H9, necessary detail. In addition 6 attached to the concurrently filed to these misstatements, the as Statement of Evidence as invoices do not constitute a 7 Exhibit BB; Declaration of claim because they do not George P. Rodarakis at H8, contain the date, place or 8 attached to the concurrently filed other circumstances of the Statement of Evidence as occurrence, the names of the 9 Exhibit A. public employees causing the injury or the amount claimed 10 (including prospective injury). Cal. Gov't Code 11 §910. Further, the invoices were not properly mailed. Id. 12 §915. 13 For these reasons, Sloan's response to this UMF is 14 objectionable, immaterial and not supported by the 15 proffered evidence. 16 Supporting Evidence 17 Ex. H to Plaintiffs Statement of Evidence 18 (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian). 19 5. As of January 15, 5. Disputed. 5. Sloan's response is 20 2020, Plaintiff has never objectionable, immaterial presented a written claim to Plaintiff presented a written claim and unsupported by the 21 PWD. in the form of two invoices to proffered evidence. PWD on or about November 16, 22 Supporting Evidence: 2017. The invoices show Objection. Misstates the Plaintiffs name and post office law. An invoice can neither 23 Rathmann Decl. 11|7-9 Ex. address as well as the address to serve as a written claim nor "L"toDSE; which notices may be sent, the a "claim as presented" 24 transaction giving rise to the under the Government RJN p, Exh. "D" to DSE claim, a general description of the Claims Act because "[a]n 25 [Complaint]; indebtedness, so far as it was invoice cannot be the known at the time of presentation, subject of a suit until it is 26 RJN 114, Exh. "E" to DSE and the amount claimed, so far as not paid [and] [a] party [First Amended Complaint]; it was known at the time of seeking to sue a public 27 presentation. The invoices were entity for an unpaid invoice RJN HI, Exh. "B" to DSE presented on invoices regularly or bill must communicate, 28 rSecond Amended used in the conduct of Plaintiff s in essence, that a cause of McCormick, Barstow, 037472-000000 7011529.1 SHEPPARD.WAYTE& CARRUTH LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7047 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Moving Partv*s OoDOsing Partv's Resnonse Moving Partv's Repiv: UndisDuted Material Facts and Supporting Evidence: 2 and Supporting Evidence: 3 Complaint]; business, and were actually action has accrued because received by the Board of of the nonpayment, and that 4 Decl. of Gregory S. Mason, Directors. the failure to resolve the 1I1I4-7, Exh. "I" to DSE claim may result in 5 [Plaintiffs Response to As of the date service of litigation." Alliance Request for Production No. Plaintiffs Response to Request Financial et al. v. City and 6 16]; for Production No. 16, Panoche Cnty. ofSan Francisco had already produced the (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 7 invoices and the transmittal 643). email that constitute Sloan's 8 claim. Objection. Misstates the Evidence. Even if invoices 9 Supporting Evidence: could serve as claims, the subject invoices do not 10 Deposition of Ara Azhderian at comply or substantially 40:10-17, attached to the comply with the GCA and 11 concurrently filed Statement of are, therefore, not claims. Evidence as Exhibit D; Email The invoices do not show 12 from Diana Rained to Sandra Plaintiffs name, but rather Reyes, dated 11/16/17, and reference an entity called 13 Sloan InvoiceNos. 110 and 111, "Sloan Enterprises." The dated 11/16/17 (Exhibit 32 to invoices do not provide a 14 Deposition of Ara Azhderian), general description of the attached to the concurrently filed indebtedness, but rather 15 Statement of Evidence as contain a meager, 7-word Exhibit H; Declaration of description that lacks the 16 Stephen W. Sloan at ^ 9, necessary detail. In addition attached to the concurrently filed to these misstatements, the 17 as Statement of Evidence as invoices do not constitute a Exhibit BB; Declaration of claim because they do not 18 George P. Rodarakis at K8, contain the date, place or attached to the concurrently filed other circumstances of the 19 Statement of Evidence as occurrence, the names of the Exhibit A. public employees causing the 20 injury or the amount claimed (including prospective 21 injury). Cal. Gov't Code §910. Further, the invoices 22 were not properly mailed. Id. §915. 23 For these reasons, Sloan's 24 response to this UMF is objectionable, immaterial 25 and not supported by the proffered evidence. 26 Supporting Evidence 27 Ex. H to Plaintiffs 28 Statement of Evidence McCormick, Barstow, 037472-000000 7011529.1 Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7647 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Moving Party's ODDOsing Party's Response Moving Party's Reply: UndisDuted Material Facts and SuDDorting Evidence: 2 and SuDDorting Evidence: 3 (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian). 4 5 DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF DISPUTED 6 MATERIAL FACTS 7 Plaintiffs Statement of Disputed Facts Defendant's Response and Supporting And Supporting Evidence Evidence 8 6. Plaintiff presented two invoices to Panoche 6. Objection. Misstates the Facts. The 9 General Manager Ara Azhderian ("Azhderian") on supporting evidence does not establish that or about November 16,2017. Plaintiff presented two invoices to Ara 10 Azhderian. Rather, Mr. Azhderian testified SuDDorting Evidence: that "probably Sandra" or "one ofthe 11 accounting staff' provided invoices to him. Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 40:10-21, 12 attached to the concurrently filed Statement of Regardless, the proffered fact is immaterial Evidence as Exhibit D; Email from Diana as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. 13 Raineri to Sandra Reyes, dated 11/16/17, and Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. of Sloan InvoiceNos. 110 and 111, dated 11/16/17 San Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 14 (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian), 643. Thus, this proffered fact should be attached to the concurrently filed Statement of disregarded. 15 Evidence as Exhibit H; Declaration of Stephen W. Sloan at ^ 9, attached to the concurrently Supporting Evidence 16 filed as Statement of Evidence as Exhibit BB; Declaration of George P. Rodarakis at H8, Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 40:19-21 17 attached to the concurrently filed Statement of attached to Plaintiffs Statement of Evidence Evidence as Exhibit A. as Exhibit "D". 18 7. Plaintiff delivered its invoices to Panoche 7. Objection. Misstates the Facts. The 19 by both email and U.S. mail. supporting evidence does not establish that Plaintiff delivered the invoices by mail. 20 SuDDorting Evidence: Regardless, the proffered fact is immaterial 21 Email from Diana Raineri to Sandra Reyes, dated as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. 11/16/17, and Sloan Invoice Nos. 110 and 111, Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. of 22 dated 11/16/17 (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara San Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, Azhderian), attached to the concurrently filed 643. Thus, this proffered fact should be 23 Statement of Evidence as Exhibit H. disregarded. 24 Supporting Evidence 25 Ex. H to Plaintiffs Statement of Evidence (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian). 26 8. Azhderian actually received the invoices. 8. Objection. Irrelevant. The written 27 claim requirement of the Government Claims SuDDorting Evidence: Act must be satisfied irrespective of a public 28 entity's actual knowledge of circumstances MCCORMICK, BARSTOW, 037472-000000 7011529.1 6 Sheppard, WAYTE & Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7647 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Plaintiffs Statement of Disputed Facts Defendant's Response and Supporting And Supporting Evidence Evidence 2 Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 40:10-21, attached surrounding a potential lawsuit. See 3 to the concurrently filed Statement of Evidence as DiCampli-Mintz v. County ofSanta Clara Exhibit D. (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983, 990. This is a 4 threshold element of a cause of action against a public entity. Id. 5 Regardless, the proffered fact is immaterial 6 as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. of 7 San Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 643. Thus, this proffered fact should be 8 disregarded. 9 9. PWD Board of Directors actually received 9. Objection. Irrelevant. The written the invoices. claim requirement of the Government Claims 10 Act must be satisfied irrespective of a public Supporting Evidence; entity's actual knowledge of circumstances 11 surroimding a potential lawsuit. See Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 56:18-57:7, DiCampli-Mintz v. County ofSanta Clara, 12 attached to the concurrently filed Statement of (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983, 990. This is a Evidence as Exhibit D; Deposition of Diane threshold element of a cause of action against 13 Rathmann at 65:7-22, attached to the concurrently a public entity. Id. filed Statement of Evidence as Exhibit G. 14 Regardless, the proffered fact is immaterial as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. 15 Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. of San Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 16 643. Thus, this proffered fact should be disregarded. 17 10. The invoices show Plaintiffs name and 10. Objection. Misstates the Facts. The 18 post office address as well as the address to which invoices do not show Plaintiffs name and notices may be sent, the transaction giving rise to post-office address, but rather reference an 19 the claim, a general description of the entity called "Sloan Enterprises." The indebtedness, so far as it was known at the time of invoices do not provide an address where 20 presentation, and the amount claimed, so far as it notices may be sent. The invoices do not was known at the time of presentation. provide a general description ofthe 21 indebtedness so far as it was known at the Supporting Evidence: time of presentation. 22 Sloan InvoiceNos. 110 and 111, dated 11/16/17 Regardless, the proffered fact is immaterial 23 (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian), as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. attached to the concurrently filed Statement of Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. of 24 San Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, Evidence as Exhibit H; Declaration of Stephen W. Sloan at 9, attached to the concurrently filed as 643. Thus, this proffered fact should be 25 Statement of Evidence as Exhibit BB. disregarded. 26 Supporting Evidence 27 Ex. H to Plaintiffs Statement of Evidence (Exhibit 32 to Deposition of Ara Azhderian). 28 MCCORMiCK, BARSTOW, 037472-000000 7011529.1 SHePPARD,WAYTE& Carruth LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7647 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. OA 93730 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Plaintiffs Statement of Disputed Facts Defendant's Response and Supporting And Supporting Evidence Evidence 2 11. The invoices were on invoices regularly 11. Undisputed but immaterial. Specifically, 3 used in the conduct of Plaintiff s business. the proffered fact is immaterial as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. Alliance 4 Supporting Evidence: Financial et al v. City and Cnty. ofSan Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 643. 5 Declaration of Stephen W. Sloan at %9, attached to Thus, this proffered fact should be the concurrently filed as Statement of Evidence as disregarded. 6 Exhibit BB. 7 12. Panoche does not have a claims form on 12. Undisputed but immaterial. which it requests claims to be submitted. 8 SuDDortin2 Evidence: 9 Deposition ofDiane Rathmann at 61:15-24,attached 10 to the concurrently filed Statement of Evidence as Exhibit G. 11 13. Upon receipt of the invoices, Azhderian 13. Objection. Irrelevant. The written 12 requested that PWD staff provide him with a copy claim requirement of the Government of the agreement underlying the invoices. Claims Act must be satisfied irrespective of 13 a public entity's actual knowledge of SuDDortins Evidence: circumstances surrounding a potential 14 lawsuit. See DiCampli-Mintz v. County of Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 41:15-42:2, 64:24- Santa Clara (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983, 990. 15 65:14, attached to the concurrently filed Statement of This is a threshold element of a cause of Evidence as Exhibit D. action against a public entity. Id. 16 In any event, the proffered fact is 17 immaterial as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. Alliance Financial et al v. 18 City and Cnty. ofSan Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 643. Thus, this proffered 19 fact should be disregarded. 20 14. After receiving the invoices, Azhderian 14. Objection. Irrelevant. The written spoke with Watermaster Sandra Reyes ("Reyes") claim requirement of the Government 21 regarding the invoices. Claims Act must be satisfied irrespective of a public entity's actual knowledge of 22 SuDDortins Evidence: circumstances surrounding a potential lawsuit. See DiCampli-Mintz v. County of 23 Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 41:15-42:15, Santa Clara (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983,990. attached to the concurrently filed Statement of This is a threshold element of a cause of 24 Evidence as Exhibit D. action against a public entity. Id. 25 In any event, the proffered fact is immaterial as invoices are not claims as a 26 matter of law. Alliance Financial et al v. City and Cnty. ofSan Francisco (1998) 64 27 Cal.App.4th 635,643. Thus, this proffered fact should be disregarded. 28 McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & 037472-000000 7011529.1 8 CARRUTH LLP DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SEPARATE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT 7647 NORTH FRESNO STREET FRESNO. CA 93720 PANOCHE WATER DISTRICT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 1 Plaintiffs Statement of Disputed Facts Defendant's Response and Supporting And Supporting Evidence Evidence 2 15. After receiving the invoices, Azhderian 15. Objection. Irrelevant. The written 3 spoke with General Counsel Diane Rathmann claim requirement of the Government ("Rathmann") about the invoices. Claims Act must be satisfied irrespective of 4 a public entity's actual knowledge of Supporting Evidence: circumstances surrounding a potential 5 lawsuit. See DiCampli-Mintz v. County of Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 42:24-43:1, 57:11- Santa Clara (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983,990. 6 14, attached to the concurrently filed Statement of This is a threshold element of a cause of Evidence as Exhibit D. Deposition of Diane action against a public entity. Id, 7 Rathmann at 65:7-22, attached to the concurrently filed Statement of Evidence as Exhibit G. In any event, the proffered fact is 8 immaterial as invoices are not claims as a matter of law. Alliance Financial et al v. 9 City and Cnty. ofSan Francisco (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 635, 643. Thus, this proffered 10 fact should be disregarded. 11 16. After receiving the invoices and discussing 16. Objection. Irrelevant. The written the situation with Reyes and Rathmann, Azhderian claim requirement of the Government 12 met with Plaintiff in an effort to investigate Claims Act must be satisfied irrespective of Plaintiffs claim. a public entity's actual knowledge of 13 circumstances surrounding a potential Supporting Evidence: lawsuit. See DiCampli-Mintz v. County of 14 Santa Clara (2012) 55 Cal.4th 983, 990. Deposition of Ara Azhderian at 43:2-6,49:17- This is a threshold element of a cause of 15 56:7, 65:15-18, attached to the concurrently filed action against a public entity. Id. Statement of Evidence as Exhibit D. 16 In any event, the proffered fact is immaterial as invoices are not claims as a 17 matter of law. Alliance Financial et al v.