Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the City to retain outside counsel on a non-competitive basis to provide general legal representation of the Police and Fire Commission. A contract with a three-year term beginning May 1, 2024, will be executed allowing Renning, Lewis & Lacy, S.C. and Attorney Jenna Rousseau to provide these legal services on terms approved by the Office of the City Attorney. The resolution also authorizes one additional two-year extension of the contract upon written agreement of the parties within thirty days prior to the end of the initial term. The cost of the services has ranged from $23,500 to $41,000 over the last three years (2021 - 2023). Funding of $100,000 is included in the 2024 Direct Appropriations operating budget for the Police and Fire Commission’s legal services and appraisal consulting services. No appropriation is required at this time.
Title
Authorizing the City to retain outside counsel on a non-competitive basis to provide general legal representation of the Police and Fire Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, the City’s Police and Fire Commission (the “Commission”) has statutory duties required by Chapter 62 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and is responsible for the hiring of the chiefs of the police and fire departments, maintaining eligibility lists of other police and fire staff, conducting disciplinary hearings of sworn police and fire staff upon complaints from the police or fire chief or from other aggrieved parties, among other duties; and
WHEREAS, the Commission requires regular legal counsel separate from the Office of the City Attorney (“OCA”) to appropriately manage, execute and delegate these responsibilities accordingly, especially since the OCA is responsible for representing the Police or Fire Chief in such disciplinary hearings; and
WHEREAS, Atty. Jenna Rousseau and Renning, Lewis & Lacy, 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 MGO 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 Renning, Lewis & Lacy, S.C. and Attorney Jenna Rousseau to provide legal services to the Commission as the Commission sees fit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Clerk are authorized to execute a contract for purchase of services with a three (3) year term beginning May 1, 2024 allowing Renning, Lewis & Lacy, S.C. and Attorney Jenna Rousseau to provide these legal services on the terms approved by the OCA; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City is authorized to pay for legal services pursuant to the contract; and
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into one (1) additional two (2) year extension of the contract upon written agreement of the parties within thirty (30) days prior to the end of the initial term.