Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Authorizing The City To Join With The State Of Florida And Other Local Governmental Units As A Participant In The Florida Memorandum Of Understanding And Formal Agreements Implementing A Unified Plan; Directing The City Clerk To Provide A Copy Of This Resolution To The Florida League Of Cities And The Florida Attorney General; Authorizing The Execution Of All Documents Necessary To Effectuate The Intent Of This Resolution; Providing For Conflicts And Severability.
Strategic Plan Focus
Public Safety
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
The City much like the entire State of Florida has suffered harm from the opioid epidemic. The State of Florida has filed an action pending in Pasco County, Florida, and a number of Florida Cities and Counties have also filed an action In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804 (N.D. Ohio) (the "Opioid Litigation"), and City is a litigating participant in that action.
The State of Florida and lawyers representing certain various local governments involved in the Opioid Litigation have proposed a unified plan for the allocation and use of prospective settlement dollars from opioid-related litigation. The Florida Memorandum of Understanding (the "Florida Plan") sets forth a framework of a unified plan for the proposed allocation and use of opioid settlement proceeds and it is anticipated that formal agreements implementing the Florida Plan will be entered into at a future date. Participation in the Florida Plan by a large majority of Florida cities and counties will materially increase the amount of funds to Florida and should improve Florida's relative bargaining position during additional settlement negotiations. Failure to participate in the Florida Plan will reduce funds available to the State, the City, and every other Florida city and county. Participation in the Florida Plan would be in the best interest of the City and its citizens in that such a plan ensures that almost all of the settlement funds go to abate and resolve the opioid epidemic and each and every city and county receives funds for the harm that it has suffered.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact involved with approval of the Resolution.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Douglas R. Gonzales, City Attorney