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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3988-05-2011A Resolution NO. 3988-05-2011 A RESOLUTION INCREASING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO WHITAKER, CHALK, SWINDLE & SAWYER, L.L.P. FOR ASSISTING THE CITY WITH LEGAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORATION AND PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS AND LITIGATION WITH AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF $66,000.00 WHEREAS, on June 20, 2006, City Council approved M &C G- 15239, adopting a resolution retaining Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to provide the City legal services in matters concerning the Water Department and Transportation and Public Works contracts and representation of the City in litigation concerning such matters in the amount of $50,000.00; and WHEREAS, on April 17, 2007, City Council approved M &C G- 15680, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $150,000.00; and WHEREAS, on September 25, 2007, City Council approved M &C G- 15873, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $200,000.00; and WHEREAS, on February 19, 2008, City Council approved M &C G- 16055, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $250,000.00; and WHEREAS, on September 30, 2008, City Council approved M &C G- 16288, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $350,000.00; and WHEREAS, on April 21, 2009, City Council approved M &C G- 16541, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $500,000.00; and WHEREAS, on December 8, 2009, City Council approved M &C G- 16770, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $650,000.00; and WHEREAS, on April 13, 2010, City Council approved M &C G- 16893, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $675,000.00; and WHEREAS, on July 27, 2010, City Council approved M &C G- 16993, adopting a resolution increasing the amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., to $775,000.00; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that additional legal services concerning the Water Department and Transportation and Public Works contracts and litigation concerning such matters will be needed during FORT_ WORN T Resolution No. 3988 -05 -2011 2011, requiring a $145,000.00 increase to the total amount paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., thereby establishing the maximum amount of $920,000.00. WHEREAS, it is anticipated that legal services concerning the Water Department and Transportation and Public Works contracts and litigation concerning such matters will be needed during 2011, requiring an additional $66,000.00 increase to the total amount paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., thereby establishing the maximum amount of $986,000.00. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, Texas: That the maximum amount authorized to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, L.L.P., for legal matters concerning the Water Department and Transportation and Public Works contracts and litigation concerning such matters is hereby increased by $66,000.00 to an amount not to exceed $986,000.00. Adopted this 24th day of May, 2011. ATTEST: 0 By: Marty Hendrix, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: By: �-/=, - l " Harvey Fry r. Assistanteity Attorney KR i YOM City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 REFERENCE NO.: * *G -17278 LOG NAME: 12WHITAKER CHALK INCREASE FS GENERAL 04 -11 SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Increase to the Maximum Amount to be Paid to the Law Firm of Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle and Sawyer, L.L.P., to Assist the City with Legal Matters Concerning Premature Street Failures in an Additional Sum of $66,000.00 and Adopt Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance and Decreasing the Unaudited, Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund by the Same Amount (COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 and 6) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached supplemental appropriation ordinance increasing appropriation in the General Fund by $66,000.00 and decreasing the unaudited, unreserved, undesignated fund balance by the same amount. 2. Authorize the City Manager to adopt a resolution increasing the maximum amount to be paid to Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle and Sawyer, L.L.P., by $66,000.00, for assisting the City with legal matters concerning premature street failures. DISCUSSION: On June 20, 2006, the City Council approved retaining the law firm of Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle and Sawyer, L.L.P., (Whitaker Chalk) to assist the City with various legal issues regarding the City's Water Department and Transportation and Public Works Department contracts related to premature street failures. (M &C G- 15239). Due to the complexity and number of issues related to premature street failures, the authorized amount was increased from the initial $50,000 to a total of $920,0000 between 2007 and 2009. (M &C G- 15680; M &C G- 15873; M &C G- 16055; M &C G- 16288; M &C G- 16541; M &C G- 16770; M &C G- 16893; M &C G- 16993; and M &C G- 17125). The legal issues regarding the Water Department and Transportation and Public Works Department contracts and representation of the City in litigation are still pending. There are outstanding invoices remaining of approximately $56,000.00 for services rendered. Due to the importance of the issue to the City and to fulfill the direction of the City Council, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney and the City Manager that the amount to be paid to Whitaker Chalk be increased by an additional $66,000.00, to an amount not to exceed $986,000.00. The affected streets are located in COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 and 6. Logname: 12WHITAKER CHALK INCREASE FS GENERAL 04 -11 Pagel of 2 FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Financial Management Services Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached supplemental appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the General Fund. Upon approval, the unaudited, unreserved, undesignated fund balance of the General Fund will exceed the minimum reserve as outlined in the Financial Management Policy Statements. FUND CENTERS: TO Fund /Account/Centers GG01 538110 0121000 CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Originating Department Head: Additional Information Contact: FROM Fund /Account/Centers $66,000.00 GG01 538110 0121000 Fernando Costa (6122) Sarah Fullenwider (8006) Frank Crumb (8246) Gerald Pruitt (7616) Harvey Frye (8715) $66,000.00 Logname: 12WHITAKER CHALK INCREASE FS GENERAL 04 -11 Page 2 of 2