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File #: 60920    Version: 1 Name: Retain special outside counsel to assist Attorney's Office related to environmental issues at the Oscar Mayer site
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 6/10/2020 In control: Attorney's Office
On agenda: 7/14/2020 Final action: 7/14/2020
Enactment date: 7/20/2020 Enactment #: RES-20-00494
Title: Authorizing the City to retain special outside counsel on a non-competitive basis to assist the Office of the City Attorney in representing the City’s interests related to environmental risks at the Oscar Mayer site.
Sponsors: Syed Abbas
Attachments: 1. Godfrey Kahn SC - Non-Competitive Selection Request - CC Approval Required June 2020.pdf, 2. Finance Committee 6-22-20 Agenda item #4 sole source hire of environmental attorney for bus barn negotiation.msg

Fiscal Note

The proposed resolution authorizes the City to retain special outside counsel on a non-competitive basis to assist in representing the City’s interests related to environmental risks at the Oscar Mayer site and to pay up to $80,000 for these legal services from the Metro Satellite Bus Facility project (Munis #10950). There is available funding in the project to pay for these costs.

Title

Authorizing the City to retain special outside counsel on a non-competitive basis to assist the Office of the City Attorney in representing the City’s interests related to environmental risks at the Oscar Mayer site.

Body

WHEREAS, City staff is currently negotiating a letter of intent for the purchase of property at the former Oscar Mayer site (the “Property”); and,  

 

WHEREAS, the Property has a history of environmental contamination and the current owners have worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to remediate contaminant; and

 

WHEREAS, the current owner and former owner of the Property have agreements that prevent additional environmental testing by the City, and the City is seeking to reduce the risk associate with purchasing a portion of the Property; and

 

WHEREAS, Attorney Arthur Harrington and Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. have the required specialized knowledge and expertise on these specific types of issues having represented numerous parties, including government agencies; and

 

WHEREAS, under sec. 4.26(4)(a)3., the City may retain services of an attorney without competitive bids; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City hereby agrees to retain the firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. and Attorney Arthur Harrington to assist the City Attorney’s Office in representing the City’s interest in reducing environmental risks at the Oscar Mayer site; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City is authorized to pay for legal services up to $80,000 out of the amounts appropriated for the Oscar Mayer acquisition budget;

 

AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Attorney shall review and execute a retainer agreement with Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. and Attorney Arthur Harrington on the terms approved by the City Attorney.