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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4213-06-2013 A Resolution NO. 4213-06.2013 AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO KELLY, HART & HALLMAN, L.L.P. AS OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN THE LAWSUITS ENTITLED CITY OF FORT WORTH v. EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT FUND OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, CASE 342-262392-13, AND RICHARD VAN HOUTEN, JR. AND STEPHEN HALL v. CITY OF FORT WORTH, A TEXAS MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, CASE 4:12-CV-00826, AND ANY OTHER RELATED LITIGATION WHEREAS, on October 23, 2012, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20471-10-2012, which amended the Retirement Ordinance to reduce benefits for future police officers and for fixture service accruals for existing police officers and general employees; and WHEREAS, on October 23, 2012, the City of Fort Worth filed a declaratory action against the Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth (Fund) requesting a Court to declare that the election called for police officers only to increase their contributions to the Fund was in violation of Article 6243i, and that the pension benefit changes adopted by the City Council are constitutional; and WHEREAS, on November 6, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4142-11-2012, ratifying the filing of the declaratory action against the Fund and the employment of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., as outside legal counsel to represent the City in the lawsuit against the Fund, and authorized compensation in an amount up to $100,000.00; and WHEREAS, on November 19, 2012, a lawsuit was filed against the City by Richard Van Houten, Jr. and Stephen Hall related to the pension benefit changes adopted by the City Council on October 23, 2012; and WHEREAS, on December 4, 2012, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4152-12-2012, authorizing the employment of Kelly, Hart and .Hallman, L.L.P., as outside legal counsel to represent the City in the Van Houten, et al. v. City of Fort Worth lawsuit, and authorizing compensation in an amount up to $200,000.00 for both lawsuits and any other litigation related to the Retirement Ordinance changes adopted by Council on October 23, 2012; and WHEREAS, to date, the total cost of legal services to represent the City of Fort Worth in the subject lawsuits have totaled $158,000,00; and WHEREAS, due to the complex nature of the this lawsuit it is estimated that an additional amount of approximately $200,000.00 beyond the current authorized cost of$200,000.00 will be needed for the legal services necessary to bring these lawsuits to a successful conclusion; FORT WORTi� Resolution No.4213-06-2013 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: 1. The City is authorized to retain the law firm of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., as outside legal counsel pursuant to Chapter V1, Section 3, of the City Charter to represent the City in the above referenced lawsuits, and any other litigation related to the Retirement Ordinance amendments adopted by City Council on October 23, 2012. 2. The City is hereby authorized to increase the maximum to be paid to Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., for its representation of the City in all litigation related to the pension benefit changes adopted by City Council on October 23, 2012 in an amount up to $400,000.00. Adopted this 4'h day of June, 2013. ATTEST: roar�4 A:Y U000000 A ofy 0 Aj AL, 00 0 MMQ By: Mary Kayser, ity Seer 5 0 tary 000 0000 Ay �4�4 'A--j—r FORT WORT .11161.................... 4'111� City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 614/2013 Resolution No. 4213-06-2013 & Ordinance No 20783-06-2013 lrlLFI!%(YUl d f(h11L:tt /,4f(II//.// 4 R N�/e://l /e,.i�r /iiia.a ;!¢.v.2 i.nf� /l iadd� escA/ t /mime Nov iiiamd. - -IIIIlb DATE: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 REFERENCE NO.: G-17913 LOG NAME: 12KHHAMEND SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution Authorizing Increase of$200,000.00 to the Maximum Amount to be Paid to Kelly, Hart and Hallman L.L.P., as Outside Counsel to Represent the City in the Lawsuits Entitled City of Fort Worth v. Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth, Cause No. 342-262392-12, and Richard Van Houten, Jr. and Stephen Hall v. City of Fort Worth, a Texas Municipal Corporation, Cause No. 4:12-CV- 00826, and Any Other Litigation Related to the Pension Benefit Changes Adopted by the City Council on October 23, 2012, for a Total of$400,000.00, and Adopt Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance Increasing Appropriations in the Risk Management Fund in the Amount of$200,000.00 and Decreasing the Assigned Risk Management Fund Balance by the Same Amount (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached supplemental appropriation ordinance increasing the appropriations in the Risk Management Fund in the amount of$200,000.00 and decreasing the Assigned Risk Management Fund Balance by the same amount; and 2. Adopt the attached Resolution authorizing an increase in the amount of$200,000.00 to the maximum amount to be paid to Kelly, Hart and Hallman L.L.P., as outside counsel to represent the City in the lawsuits entitled City of Fort Worth v. Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth, Cause 342- 262392-12, and Richard Van Houten, Jr. and Stephen Hall v. City of Fort Worth, a Texas Municipal Corporation, Cause 4:12-CV-00826, and any other litigation related to the pension benefit changes adopted by the City Council on October 23, 2012, for a total amount of$400,000.00. DISCUSSION: On November 6, 2012, the City Council adopted (M&C G-17724) and Resolution No. 4142-11-2012, the City Council ratified the employment of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., as outside legal counsel to represent the City in the lawsuit entitled City of Fort Worth v. Employees' Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth, Cause 342-262392-12, and authorized compensation in the amount up to $100,000.00. On December 4, 2012, the City Council adopted (M&C G-17752) and Resolution No. 4152-12-2012, approving the employment of Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., as outside legal counsel to represent the City in the lawsuit entitled Rick Van Houten and Stephen Hall v. City of Fort Worth, a Texas Municipal Corporation, Cause 4:12-CV-00826, and authorized compensation in the amount up to $200,000.00 for both lawsuits and any other litigation related to the Retirement Ordinance amendments adopted by the City Council on October 23, 2012. Because of the numerous issues addressed in the lawsuits, and the complexity of the issues involved in Logname: 12KHHAMEND Page 1 of 2 both lawsuits, it is necessary to increase the maximum amount to be paid to Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P. Adoption of this resolution will increase the amount of compensation to be paid to Kelly, Hart and Hallman, L.L.P., by $200,000.00 for a total in the amount of$400,000.00. FISCAL INFORMATION /CER"l-IFICATION: 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 Risk Management Fund. Upon approval, the fund balance of the Risk Management Fund will be in compliance with the minimum reserved as outlined in the Financial Management Policy Statements. FUND CENTERS: TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Accou nVC enters FE71 534050 0137120 $200,000.00 FE71 534060 0137120 $200,000.00 CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Susan Alanis (8180) Originating Department Head: Sarah Fullenwider (7623) Additional Information Contact: Gerald Pruitt (7616) Logname: 1.2KHHAMEND Page 2 of 2