Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Authorizing The Expenditure Of Funds In An Amount Not To Exceed $100,000.00 Pursuant To The Existing Agreement With Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L. For FY 2019 For Legal Services In Areas Other Than Labor And Employment; Amending The Fiscal Year 2019 Adopted Operating Budget.
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the resolution.
Explanation:
The City has two separate agreements for legal services provided by the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman P.L. (“Weiss Serota”), one for labor and employment matters, which are handled primarily by Paul T. Ryder, Jr. and Lindsey Ryder, and one for matters other than labor and employment matters, which are handled by other members of the firm.
Section 38.40(C)(2) of the Code of Ordinances exempts from the competitive bid and competitive proposal requirements of the Purchasing Ordinance contracts for professional services. When professional services are purchased and the estimated annual amount to be paid for those services exceeds $50,000.00, City Commission approval is required. On November 7, 2018, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. R-2018-338, which approved an agreement with Weiss Serota for FY 2019 for labor and employment matters in a total amount not to exceed $75,000.00.
The fees for the agreement for matters other than labor and employment matters are approaching $50,000.00, and the City Attorney estimates that by the end of FY 2019, they will approach $100,000.00. The City Attorney recommends that the City Commission approve the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for matters other than labor and employment matters.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Douglas R. Gonzales, City Attorney