Title
Authorization for Additional Payment Authority for Outside Counsel - RFP 19-LAW-001 (Ordinance S-47657)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to add additional payment authority in an amount of $1.7 million to provide outside counsel services to the City on an as-needed basis as determined by the City Attorney. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
On June 5, 2019 Council authorized the City Attorney to enter into agreements with firms who were placed on a list to be engaged to represent the City on a case-by-case basis through Letters of Engagement. The City Code authorizes the City Attorney to enter into agreements to provide legal services for the City of Phoenix. As needed, the City Attorney may also contract for other legal services, including services of attorneys, expert witnesses, and other legal advisors or consultants consistent with the authority granted in the Phoenix City Code, sections 2-10 and 43-2. The City has had unexpected large claims and lawsuits including cases going to the Arizona Supreme Court that have resulted in an increase in expenditures over the last year. June is the final month of a two-year contract and the additional spending authority is necessary to timely pay the incurred legal fees owed to outside counsel to defend the City.
Financial Impact
With the $1.7 million in additional funds, the revised aggregate value is now $18,700,000. Funds are available in various department budgets, including the Law Department and Self-Insurance Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by City Manager Ed Zuercher and the Law Department.