HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5551-04-2022 A Resolution
NO. 5551-04-2022
AUTHORIZING CONTINUANCE OF THE HIRING OF GRETA
COWART, AS OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL, TO ASSIST THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN ADVISING THE HUMAN RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT ON ISSUES RELATED TO EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE
HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS PLANS AND AUTHORIZING
PAYMENT OF COUNSEL FEES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$50,000.00.
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Worth ("City") periodically requires legal advice regarding
its employee and retiree health and welfare benefit plan services, including legal advice with
regards to the City's compliance with applicable federal and state laws relating to healthcare
benefits;
WHEREAS, applicable state and federal laws include employer-mandated coverage and
reporting requirements that affect municipalities; and
WHEREAS, Greta Cowart has special competency in the areas of health care, trust
administration, and tax related issues, and regularly assists municipalities with maintaining
regulatory compliance, and has agreed to assist the City with these issues.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT:
1. The City is authorized to continue to retain Greta Cowart,as outside counsel,under
Chapter VI, Section 3 of the City Charter,to provide legal services related to the City's employee
and retiree health and welfare benefit matters; and
2. The City is authorized to pay legal fees to Greta Cowart in an amount not to exceed
$50,000.00.
Adopted this 121h day of April 2022.
ATTEST:
FORT `v
By: JA
ette S.Goodall(Apr 13,202216: CDT)
_Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary F-'
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TE%,
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 04/12/22 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 22-0259
LOG NAME: 12GRETACOWARTJW2021
SUBJECT
(ALL)Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City to Continue to Retain Greta E.Cowart as Outside Counsel for Legal Services Related to Employee
and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefit Plan Services and Authorizing Payment of Legal Fees in an Amount Not to Exceed$50,000.00
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the City to continue to retain Greta E.Cowart,as outside
counsel in accordance with Chapter VI,Section 3 of the City Charter,for legal services related to employee and retiree health and welfare benefit
plan services and authorizing payment of legal fees in an amount not to exceed$50,000.00.
DISCUSSION:
The Human Resources Department and the City Attorney's Office have requested that the City continue to retain the services of Greta E.Cowart,
with regard to the City's employee health and welfare benefit plans,in order to assist the City Attorney's Office in advising the Human Resources
Department on legal issues related to such plans and other healthcare and benefits matters.
The City has previously engaged the legal services of Ms. Cowart in 2004(M&C G-14301),2005(M&C G-14650),2015(M&C G-27268),2018
(M&C C-28523),and 2019(M&C C-29030)to provide advice on a myriad of trust,federal tax and regulatory compliance issues as well as the
City's self-insured health and welfare benefit plans, including, but not limited to,legal services regarding the IAFF Local 440's decision to provide
health and related benefits through a trust for active fire fighters,fire fighter retirees and their eligible spouses and dependents.
This area of the law represents some of the most complex material and consists of highly technical statutes, regulations,cases,letter rulings and
other formal and informal guidance.While the City's legal and human resources staff routinely handle day-today matters in this area,complex
issues periodically arise.Therefore, staff recommends engaging Greta Cowart as outside counsel because of her considerable experience in
health care law,trust administration, municipal regulatory compliance and federal tax regulatory compliance.
Funding is budgeted in the Consultant&Other Professional Services account of the Human Resources Department's Group Health Insurance
Fund, as appropriated.
FISCAL INFORMATION I CERTIFICATION:
The approval of this action provides spending authority up to$50,000.00 as specified.The Director of Finance certifies that funds are available in
the current operating budget,as previously appropriated, in the Group Health Insurance Fund to support the approval of the above
recommendation. Prior to any expenditure being incurred,the Human Resources Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of
funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: ALL ACMs 6222
Originating Business Unit Head: Laetitia Brown 6639
Additional Information Contact: Laetitia Brown 6639