Arnold v. County of Sacramento et al

Filing 20

ANSWER to 7 First Amended Complaint by County of Sacramento; DEMAND for Jury Trial. Attorney Paul, Jonathan B. added. (Paul, Jonathan) Modified on 10/25/2012 (Marciel, M)

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1 Rivera&Associates 2 2 18 0 Har var d Str eet, Suite 3 1 0 Sacr amento , Califor nia 95 815 3 Tel: 916 -9 22 -1 2 0 0 Fax: 9 1 6 9 2 2 -1 3 0 3 4 J es s e M . R i vera, C S N 84259 J onat han B. P aul , CS N 21 5884 S h anan L. Hewi t t , CS N 200168 Kel ly A. Yokl ey, C S N 192015 5 6 7 8 Attorneys for Defendant, County of Sacramento 9 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 10 IN AND FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 11 12 CONNIE ARNOLD, 13 Plaintiff, 14 vs. 15 16 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, et al. 17 Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. 2:12-cv-01998-LKK-EFB DEFENDANT COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF CONNIE ARNOLD’S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT and DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 18 19 Defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO (hereinafter “defendant”) in answering the 20 allegations of the First Amended Complaint (hereinafter “complaint”) hereby admit, deny and 21 allege as follows: 22 23 I. INTRODUCTION 1. In response to paragraph 1 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 24 SACRAMENTO admits the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) was enacted in 1990. 25 Answering the remaining allegations contained in the paragraph 1, defendant COUNTY OF 26 SACRAMENTO contends the remaining allegations do not constitute averments of fact to which 27 an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, this answering 28 defendant generally and specifically denies each and every remaining allegations contained in Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial 1 said paragraph. 2 2. In response to paragraph 2, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO admits 3 that Sylvan Oaks Public Library is located near the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren 4 Lane in the City of Citrus Heights. In response to the balance of this paragraph, defendant 5 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO denies both generally and specifically, each and every allegation 6 contained therein; too the extent the allegations are directed to the other defendants, defendant 7 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said 8 allegations, and for that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and 9 specifically, each and every allegation contained therein. 10 3. In response to paragraph 3, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally 11 and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein and on that basis, denies 12 paragraph 3 in its entirety. 13 II. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 14 4. In response to paragraph 4 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 15 SACRAMENTO contends that said paragraph contain conclusions of law and not averments of 16 fact to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, this 17 answering defendant generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained in said 18 paragraph, except to admit that this Court has jurisdiction over federal questions under 28 U.S.C. 19 § 1331. 20 5. In response to paragraph 4 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 21 SACRAMENTO contends that said paragraph contain conclusions of law and not averments of 22 fact to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, this 23 answering defendant generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained in said 24 paragraph, except to admit that venue is proper in the Eastern District of California. 25 26 III. PARTIES 6. In response to paragraph 6 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 27 SACRAMENTO is without sufficient information to answer the allegations in paragraph 6 and 28 basing its denial on this ground, this answering defendant generally and specifically denies each Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -2- 1 2 and every allegation contained in said paragraph. 7. In response to paragraph 7 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 3 SACRAMENTO admits that it is a public entity. In response to the balance of the allegations in 4 this paragraph, defendant contends that said paragraph contain conclusions of law and not 5 averments of fact to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed 6 required, this answering defendant generally and specifically denies each and every remaining 7 allegation contained in said paragraph. 8 9 8. In response to paragraph 8 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations and for that 10 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically each and 11 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 12 9. In response to paragraph 9 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 13 SACRAMENTO, admits that it has ownership of the Sylvan Oaks Library located at 6700 14 Auburn Boulevard, Citrus Heights, California 95621. In response to the balance of the 15 allegations in this paragraph, defendant has no information or belief to enable it to answer said 16 allegations and for that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and 17 specifically, each and every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 18 10. In response to paragraph 10 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 19 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 20 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 21 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 22 11. In response to paragraph 11 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 23 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 24 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 25 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 26 12. In response to paragraph 12 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 27 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 28 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -3- 1 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 2 3 IV. GOVERNMENT CLAIM 13. In response to paragraph 13, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY 4 OF SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for 5 that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 6 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 7 14. In response to paragraph 14, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY 8 OF SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for 9 that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 10 11 every, all and singular, the allegations contained therein. 15. In response to paragraph 15 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY 12 OF SACRAMENTO admits that plaintiff has waived all damages in this matter by not 13 complying with the California Tort Claims Act. In response to the balance of the allegations 14 contained in said paragraph, defendant has no information or belief to enable it to answer said 15 allegations, and for that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and 16 specifically, each and every, all and singular, remaining allegations contained therein. 17 18 V. FACTS UPON WHICH ALL CLAIMS ARE BASED 16. In response to paragraph 16, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO admits 19 that Sylvan Oaks Public Library is located adjacent to Crosswoods Park. In response to the 20 balance of the allegations contained in said paragraph, defendant has no information or belief to 21 enable it to answer said allegations, and for that reason and basing its denial on that ground, 22 denies both generally and specifically, each and every, all and singular, remaining allegations 23 contained therein. 24 17. In response to paragraph 17, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO has no 25 information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that reason and basing its 26 denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and every, all and singular, 27 allegations contained therein. 28 18. In response to paragraph 16, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO has no Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -4- 1 information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that reason and basing its 2 denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and every, all and singular, 3 allegations contained therein. 4 19. In response to paragraph 19 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 5 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 6 and on that basis, denies paragraph 19 in its entirety. 7 20. In response to paragraph 20 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 8 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 9 and on that basis, denies paragraph 20 in its entirety. 10 21. In response to paragraphs 21 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 11 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 12 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 13 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 14 22. In response to paragraph 22 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 15 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 16 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 17 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 18 23. In response to paragraph 23 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 19 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 20 and on that basis, denies paragraph 23 in its entirety. 21 24. In response to paragraph 24 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 22 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 23 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 24 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 25 25. In response to paragraph 25 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 26 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 27 and on that basis, denies paragraph 25 in its entirety. 28 26. In response to paragraph 26 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -5- 1 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 2 and on that basis, denies paragraph 26 in its entirety. 3 27. In response to paragraph 27 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 4 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 5 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 6 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 7 28. In response to paragraph 28 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 8 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 9 and on that basis, denies paragraph 28 in its entirety. 10 29. In response to paragraph 29 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 11 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 12 and on that basis, denies paragraph 29 in its entirety. 13 30. In response to paragraph 30 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 14 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 15 and on that basis, denies paragraph 30 in its entirety. 16 17 VI. NOTICE 31. In response to paragraph 31 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 18 SACRAMENTO has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for that 19 reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 20 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 21 VII. CLAIMS FOR RELIEF 22 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION: VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - TITLE II 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. and § 12131 et seq. 23 24 25 32. In response to paragraph 32 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 26 SACRAMENTO, incorporates by reference its responses to paragraphs 1 through 31 above, as 27 though fully restated herein. 28 33. In response to paragraph 33 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -6- 1 SACRAMENTO contends said paragraph contains conclusion of law and not averments of fact 2 to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, 3 defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every 4 allegation contained in said paragraph. 5 34. In response to paragraph 33 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 6 SACRAMENTO contends said paragraph contains conclusion of law and not averments of fact 7 to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, 8 defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every 9 allegation contained in said paragraph. 10 35. In response to paragraph 35 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 11 SACRAMENTO admits that it owns the Sylvan Oaks Public Library. In response to the balance 12 of the allegations contained within this paragraph, defendant contends said paragraph contains 13 conclusion of law and not averments of fact to which an answer may be required, but insofar as 14 an answer may be deemed required, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and 15 specifically denies each and every allegation contained in said paragraph. 16 36. In response to paragraph 36 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 17 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 18 and on that basis, denies paragraph 36 in its entirety. 19 37. In response to paragraph 37 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 20 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 21 and on that basis, denies paragraph 37 in its entirety. 22 SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION: VIOLATION OF SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT 29 U.S.C. § 794 23 24 38. In response to paragraph 38 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 25 SACRAMENTO incorporates by reference its responses to paragraphs 1 through 37 above, as 26 though fully restated herein. 27 28 39. In response to paragraph 33 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO contends said paragraphs contain conclusion of law and not averments of fact Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -7- 1 to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, 2 defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every 3 allegation contained in said paragraph. 4 40. In response to paragraph 40, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 5 SACRAMENTO admits that it is a governmental entity. In response to the balance of the 6 allegations defendant has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, and for 7 that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, each and 8 every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 9 41. In response to paragraph 41 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 10 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 11 and on that basis, denies paragraph 41 in its entirety. 12 42. In response to paragraph 42 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 13 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 14 and on that basis, denies paragraph 42 in its entirety. 15 43. In response to paragraph 43 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 16 SACRAMENTO admits that plaintiff is waiving damages. In response to the balance of the 17 allegations, defendant generally and specifically denies each and every remaining allegation 18 contained therein. 19 44. In response to paragraph 44 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 20 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 21 and on that basis, denies paragraph 44 in its entirety. 22 THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION: Cal. Gov’t Codes §§ 11135 and 4450 et seq. 23 24 45. In response to paragraph 45 in the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 25 SACRAMENTO incorporates by reference its responses to paragraphs 1 through 44 above, as 26 though fully restated herein. 27 28 46. In response to paragraph 46 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -8- 1 2 and on that basis, denies paragraph 46 in its entirety. 47. In response to paragraph 47, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 3 SACRAMENTO admits that it owns the Sylvan Oaks Public Library. In response to the balance 4 of the allegations defendant has no information or belief to enable it to answer said allegations, 5 and for that reason and basing its denial on that ground, denies both generally and specifically, 6 each and every, all and singular, allegations contained therein. 7 48. In response to paragraph 48 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 8 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 9 and on that basis, denies paragraph 48 in its entirety. 10 49. In response to paragraph 49 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 11 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 12 and on that basis, denies paragraph 49 in its entirety. 13 FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION: CALIFORNIA DISABLED PERSON ACT (“CDPA”) Cal. Civ. Code § 54 et seq. 14 15 16 17 50. In response to paragraph 50 of the complaint, defendant incorporates by reference its responses to paragraphs 1 through 49 above, as though fully restated herein. 51. In response to paragraph 51 of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 18 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained in 19 paragraph 51, and on that basis, denies paragraph 51in its entirety. 20 52. In response to paragraph 52, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 21 SACRAMENTO contends that said paragraph contains conclusions of law and not averments of 22 facts to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, 23 defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every 24 allegation contained in said paragraph. 25 53. In response to paragraph 53, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 26 SACRAMENTO contends that said paragraph contains conclusions of law and not averments of 27 facts to which an answer may be required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed required, 28 defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial -9- 1 2 allegation contained in said paragraph. 54. In response to paragraph 54, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 3 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 4 and on that basis, denies paragraph 54 in its entirety. 5 55. In response to paragraph 55, of the complaint, defendant COUNTY OF 6 SACRAMENTO generally and specifically denies each and every allegation contained therein 7 and on that basis, denies paragraph 55 in its entirety. 8 VIII. PRAYER FOR RELIEF 9 In response to the prayer for relief, set forth at page 18 of the complaint, defendant 10 COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO contends that no response is required; too the extent to which a 11 response is deemed required, defendant denies that plaintiff is entitled to any form of relief 12 whatsoever. 13 14 15 AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES Defendant County of Sacramento alleges the following separate and distinct affirmative defenses to plaintiff’s complaint. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a first affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint in its entirety, through each separately stated Cause of Action, fails to state claims upon which relief can be granted. SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a second affirmative defense, defendant alleges that Plaintiff’s complaint does not present a case or controversy. THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 23 As a third affirmative defense, defendant alleges all its actions taken were undertaken in 24 good faith and with reasonable belief that said actions were valid, necessary and constitutionally 25 proper; thus, the answering defendant is entitled to qualified immunity. 26 FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 27 As a fourth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that this claim is barred by the 28 privileges, immunities and limitations set forth in Government Code §800, et seq., Government Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 10 - 1 Code §900, et seq. and C.C.P. §338, et seq. 2 3 4 FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a fifth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that defendant’s acts were privileged under applicable statutes and case law. 5 6 7 8 9 SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a sixth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that state law claims are subject to a 90day stay or proceedings under California Civil Code §§ 55.51-55.54. SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a seventh affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff knew, or in the exercise 10 of ordinary care, should have known of the risks, hazards, illnesses and injuries involved in the 11 undertaking in which plaintiff was engaged; but nevertheless, and with full knowledge of these 12 things did fully and voluntarily consent to assume the risks, hazards, illnesses and injuries 13 involved in the undertaking. 14 15 EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As an eighth affirmative defense, defendant alleges plaintiff failed to exercises ordinary 16 care for her own safety and well-being and that failure to exercise ordinary care proximately 17 caused and/or contributed to the alleged illness and injury plead in the complaint; consequently, 18 defendant is entitled to the full protection of the law. 19 NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 20 As a ninth affirmative defense, defendant alleges plaintiff faces no threat of future 21 22 23 24 irreparable harm; therefore, injunctive relief is not available. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a tenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that this claim is barred by the equitable doctrine of estoppel, waiver, unclean hands and laches. 25 ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 26 As an eleventh affirmative defense, defendant alleges that if plaintiff sustained the 27 damages alleged in the complaint, which defendant denies, plaintiff’s damages were caused in 28 whole or in part by the conduct of third parties for whom defendant is not responsible, by forces Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 11 - 1 over which defendant has no control or through acts or omissions on the part of plaintiff and 2 therefore, an act or omission on the part of defendant was not the proximate cause and/or legal 3 cause of the plaintiff’s alleged damages. 4 5 TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twelfth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the injuries and damages plaintiff 6 complains of, if any, resulted from the acts and or omissions of others and without any fault on 7 the part of this answering defendant. 8 9 THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a thirteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint is barred in that 10 the relief sought would place an undue financial and administrative burden on this answering 11 defendant. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a fourteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint is barred in that the relief sought would require unreasonable modifications to programs and services. FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a fifteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff failed to exhaust his administrative and other state remedies. SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a sixteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint is barred because 20 defendant is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods 21 are or would be effective to achieve compliance with applicable law. 22 SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 23 As a seventeenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint is barred in 24 that the relief sought would inappropriately mandate the manner in which defendant allocates 25 public funds in relation to existing programs and services. 26 EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 27 As an eighteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that the complaint is barred 28 because plaintiff failed to request either reasonable accommodation or auxiliary aids as required Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 12 - 1 by law. 2 3 4 NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a nineteenth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff’s complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this answering defendant. 5 6 TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twentieth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff has failed to mitigate 7 her damages, and to the extend of this failure to mitigate, any damages awarded to plaintiff 8 should be reduced accordingly. 9 10 11 TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-first affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff’s claim are barred pursuant to the principles of res judicata and collateral estoppel. 12 13 14 TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-second affirmative defense, defendant alleges that any alleged discrimination was not arbitrary or intentional. 15 16 TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-third affirmative defense, defendant asserts that its alleged refusal to allow 17 access was not discriminatory, but was caused by the structure of the facility and by the fact that 18 plaintiff’s special needs prevented her admission to the facility without construction, alteration or 19 modification that is not otherwise required by law under Civil Code section 51(d) and 52(g). 20 21 22 TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-fourth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that plaintiff was not discriminated against based solely on her disability. 23 24 TWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-fifth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that when viewed in its entirety, 25 the subject buildings and facilities are readily accessible to and useable by individuals with 26 disabilities. 27 28 TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE As a twenty-sixth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that defendant is not required to Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 13 - 1 take any action that would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its services, 2 programs or activities, or in undue financial and administrative burdens. 3 TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 4 As a twenty-seventh affirmative defense, defendant alleges that defendant did not receive 5 federal funding in association with programs, activities, services and benefits participated in by 6 plaintiff. 7 TWENTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 8 9 As a twenty-eighth affirmative defense, defendant alleges that defendant has insufficient knowledge or information upon which to form a belief as to whether it may have additional, as 10 yet unstated, affirmative defenses. Defendant reserved the right to answer with additional 11 affirmative defenses in the event discovery indicates it would appropriate. 12 WHEREOF, Defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO prays for judgment as follows: 13 1. Plaintiff’s action be dismissed; 14 2. Plaintiff’s claim for injunctive relief be denied; 15 3. Plaintiff’s take nothing by way of complaint; 16 4. Defendant be awarded its costs of suit, including attorney fees; and 17 5. For such other relief as the Court deems proper. 18 19 Dated: October 24, 2012 Respectfully submitted, 20 RIVERA & ASSOCIATES 21 /s/ Jonathan B. Paul By: 22 JONATHAN B. PAUL Attorney for County of Sacramento 23 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 14 - 1 2 3 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Defendants, Defendant COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO demand a jury trial as provided for in Rule 38, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rule 201. 4 5 Dated: October 24, 2012 Respectfully submitted, 6 RIVERA & ASSOCIATES 7 /s/ Jonathan B. Paul By: 8 JONATHAN B. PAUL Attorney for County of Sacramento 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Defendant County of Sacramento’s Answer to Plaintiff Connie Arnold’s First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial - 15 -

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